JOGISHWAR SINGH

As a Swiss citizen born in India, I am many

times brought to think about my experiences of
the democratic systems prevalent in the two
countries.
Before Indian patriots start screaming
murder at what I am going to say, I should point
out that I am fully aware that I am talking about
two different historical realities.
Switzerland has been independent for over 800 years while
India is a newly created entity, now a mere 66 years old.
Switzerland has a population of only 8 million while India has
the second highest population of any country in the world at over
1.2 billion (give or take a few million). And expected, in the near
future, to even outstrip China, and become the worlds most popu-
lous.
The trigger for this set of reflections was what I saw on the 7.30
pm eve. news on Swiss TV a couple of weeks ago.
The Swiss President, Mr Ueli Maurer, was leaving on a five-day
state visit to China. The news showed him arriving at Zrich airport
in an ordinary private vehicle. The President got out of the car by
opening the car door himself. He walked to the nearby baggage trol-
ley stand outside the airport entrance. He took a baggage trolley out,
rolled it towards the car, lifted his suitcase and travel bag himself,
put these on the trolley which he then rolled towards the entrance
like any passenger lambda like you or me. He walked up to the
check-in counter with just two other persons walking behind him.
He checked his luggage in for a commercial flight without any spe-
cial treatment being meted out to him.
For any Indians (or others) who might find it difficult to believe
what I have described above, you can click on the link provided
hereunder, at the end of this article, to view a TV news clip from the
evening prime time news for July 16, 2013.
Youll get visual proof of the Swiss Presidents arrival at the air-
port, his check in for his state visit to China and a short interview
with a TV journalist. This clip is really worth watching.
Conditioned by my personal experiences of dealing with politi-
cians and government ministers in India while serving as an IAS
(Indian Administrative Service) officer, I was so struck by the con-
trast between what I had experienced in India and what I was see-
ing on the TV screen that I told my wife that this represented one of
the finest examples of democracy for me, certainly of the Swiss
variety. It made me proud to be the citizen of a country where the
serving President behaves like an ordinary citizen and does not feel
the need to consider special privileged treatment as his divine
birthright.
I remembered the countless times when I had seen the fury of
Indian politicians, much below the level of the President of a coun-
try, at what they considered as a slight because they had not been
treated as demi-gods.
I am not a psychologist.
I do not know whether cen-
turies of slavery have gener-
ated this distorted VIP cul-
ture in India but I remember
that we all did curse the
politicians there for causing
so much inconvenience to
the general public by
expecting, demanding and
getting privileged treatment.
Who in India, except
maybe some politicians or
bureaucrats, has not been
inconvenienced by VIP vis-
its for which miles of roads
and highways, even entire
neighbourhoods, are blocked off to traffic, and flights are delayed,
awaiting the arrival of some VIP or even his/her flunkies/family
members?
Any such inconvenience would cause an uproar in Switzerland.
In India, it does not generate even a whimper.
In this context, an incident from the not very distant past strong-
ly lingers in my memory. A few years ago, a former IAS batch-mate
of mine (1976 batch) had visited Switzerland.
I have noticed that Switzerland becomes a prize destination of
choice for a lot of Indian ministers and bureaucrats during their hot
summer for attending all kinds of useless conferences which are
essentially talking shops organised by the United Nations, an organ-
isation which is a hotbed of nepotism and inefficiency.
This IAS officer wanted to see Switzerland, so I acted as his
local tourist guide. While we were going around the Swiss federal
capital, Bern, it was lunch time so we decided to have lunch at a
restaurant very close to the Swiss parliament building.
As we took our seats at a table, a Swiss gentleman sitting at the
next table, reading his newspaper while sipping his coffee, greeted
us in English. While we ordered our meal and waited, he finished
reading his newspaper, drank his coffee and called for his bill which
he paid before leaving. While going out, he again politely wished us
goodbye, even saying, I hope you enjoy your stay in Switzerland
in English.
After he had left, I asked my visitor if he knew who the man had
been. Obviously, my visitor did not know the answer. I informed him
that we had just been greeted by the then serving Swiss President,
Mr Ren Felber.
My guest thought I was making fun of him. He would not
believe me so I called the restaurant manager to confirm the verac-
ity of what I had told him. The manager duly confirmed what I had
said.
My Indian visitor was flabbergasted. He said, How can this be
possible? He actually paid his bill before leaving.
So, what struck my visitor the most had been the fact that a VIP
had actually paid his bill! I wonder what he would say if he saw our
current President, Mr Ueli Maurer, personally loading his bags on to
a baggage trolley and wheeling it to a check-in counter just like any
ordinary citizen. His disbelief could only be countered by visual evi-
dence on the TV!
My visitors reaction brought back memories of when, as a
serving sub-divisional or district level official, I had been called upon
to organise lunches and dinners for numerous collections of free-
loaders travelling with ministers or bureaucrats in India.
I seldom remember any politician or bureaucrat actually paying
or even offering to pay for the bonanza laid out for them. Those who
did offer to pay, did so at the ridiculously low official daily fare of
eleven rupees (today, a mere 20 cents US) per person or something
like that.
Nobody ever asked how it had been possible to lay out a lavish
meal comprising several dishes, accompanied by expensive alco-
holic beverages, for such a petty sum. I never found out myself who
used to pay for all this extravaganza at the end of the line.
Like a good Indian bureaucrat, I just used to pass the buck
down the line to my junior magistrates and revenue officials. To this
day, I am unable to clarify which poor victim -- read, citizen! -- who
got stuck with paying for all the freebies on offer.
While working as chief of staff to the President of the Swiss
Commission for the Presence of Switzerland in Foreign Countries
many years ago, I had the chance of accompanying him to
Strasbourg for meetings of the Council of Europe. I also had the
privilege of close interaction with several Swiss members of parlia-
ment over an extended period of 12 to 14 months.
The contrast to the behavioural pattern of what I had experi-
enced in India with politicians was so stark that it has stayed seared
in my mind even till today.
I am by no means suggesting that Swiss politicians are angels
but the kind of behaviour that Indian politicians or bureaucrats get
away with as a matter of routine in India would torpedo their careers
in Switzerland in a jiffy.
Each such incident deepens my gratitude to Waheguru
Almighty for having made me settle down in a country like
Switzerland where the President carries his own bags to the check-
in counter.
Where no roads are blocked for hours so that some VIP can, in
the name of security, be whisked around in convoys of official vehi-
cles. Where politicians and bureaucrats pay their bills in restaurants.
Where grossly sycophantic behaviour is not the general and accept-
ed norm. Where no red-light beacons or screaming sirens signal the
passage of VIP vehicles. Indeed, the red-light-beacon culture of offi-
cialdom in India merits a full story in itself.
I might accept India as a true democracy the day I see its
President or Prime Minister behaving like the Swiss President before
his departure on an official visit abroad.
I dont think I will ever see such a sight in India during my life-
time. You think, maybe, my grandchildren will? (sikhchic.com)
To view the TV news-clip, please visit
http://www.rts.ch/video/info/journal-19h30/5071654-ueli-maurer-
se-renden-chine-en-toute-simplicite.html
24 pages ` 15 ISSN 0972-3366 Fortnightly Vol. 14 No. 18 Issue Serial # 328 facebook.com/milligazette www.milligazette.com 16-30 September 2013
Riot after riot 4,5,9,13
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J&K 10 | Analysis 11 | Special Reports 3,13 | Issues 2,11,13
Speaking Out 11 | Newsmakers 12 | International 16-20
Community News 14-15 | Books 21 | Islamic Perspectives 20
Our Publications 19 | Classifieds 22 | Letters 23
Inside
MG
True Democracy in Action
THE
MILLI
GAZETTE
INDIAN MUSLIMS LEADING ENGLISH NEWSPAPER SINCE 2000
SAFFRON LAB ASSISTANT...8 END OF AN ERA...12
Move fast, Sir!
This bomb is from
our own factory
Here is a stranger than fiction, but true, story from Switzerland dedicated to our rulers and
politicians including Shri Najeeb Jang who as Delhis new Lt Gov quickly learnt the sarkari
etiquette and now moves around in a cavalcade, deploying hundreds of policemen on every
route he takes, making life miserable for ordinary citizens. By the way, the writer of this true
story is also a former IAS officer like Shri Jang. (Editor)
M
G
/
Y
u
s
u
f
A Mirror for
Our Little Pharoahs
Vanzaras
letter
2 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 ISSUES / OPINION
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INDIAN MUSLIMS LEADING ENGLISH NEWSPAPER
THE MILLI GAZETTE
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Choicest abuses and expletives are being
heaped these days upon the self-proclaimed
godman Asaram Bapu for (allegedly) raping a
16-year-old girl in Jodhpur. The man is now
cooling his heels in judicial custody. But follow-
ing this as well as a series of such shenanigans
involving godmen, have we asked ourselves as
to why shouldnt we also be held morally
responsible for such untoward happenings per-
petrated by Babas like Asaram, Nityanand and
scores of others? Arent we also equally respon-
sible? The newspapers have reported that the
father of the girl raped by Asaram, was a blind
follower of the fraud baba. He even left his well-
established business to devote his life and time
to the service of Asaram and called him god.
We suffer because of our gullibility. Babas hood-
wink us because were utterly credulous and
when anything is even remotely related to
dharm, astha (belief), god and religion, we just
close the doors of our rationality and accept that
unquestioningly. This irrational and frightened
attitude lets babas flourish and fool further. After
all, an open door may tempt a saint and a vul-
nerable man to stoop to any level. We allow
these spurious elements to dictate terms and
react only when things come to a pretty pass.
We must concede that we too contribute to the
proliferation of gurus and their gurudom. Think
with the reason that has been bestowed upon us
by nature and act with prudence. No godman
will be able to survive.
II
Become a spiritual guru!
Why dont you do something worthwhile.
Youve so much knowledge and sharp intelli-
gence, I asked a friend of mine who was quite
a few years senior to me. He smiled and said,
Dekhtay rahiyay, badee jaldi, mein kya karnay
waala hoon (Just wait and watch, soon Ill do
something remarkable). I thought that he went
crazy and was far removed from reality. No, he
didnt go crazy and true to his words, he
became a spiritual teacher giving profound lec-
tures on inner engineering at renowned insti-
tutes and august gatherings!
Now, whats this inner or outer engineer-
ing, Ive no clue. But Ive got a clue to this
whole business of babagiri, gurudom or instant
spirituality like instant coffee. Just coin an
abstruse phrase or term and start encashing it
without wasting time. Therell be people credu-
lous enough to be fooled sooner than you can
bargain for. Inner engineering, Life-coach,
Soul engineering, Inner divinity, Essence of
life, New you and all that jazz have emerged in
recent times that guarantee to give a blissful
dimension to a gullibles life. The practitioners of
these spiritual ideas know very well that its
one assured profession thats not rattled by
global recession or rupee hitting the nadir!! This
profession faces no rough weathers! In fact, the
more one feels insecure in these precarious
times, the more one gets inclined to such spiri-
tual teachers and their divine remedies. Of
late, spirituality has become a business and its
also assumed some kind of a fashionable state-
ment. Well-heeled people driving sedans flaunt
their spiritual inclinations and proudly declare
that theyre the practitioners of some jaw-break-
ing spiritual caboodle. Today, spirituality and
love are the most overused words and have
been relegated to abuses. Those who incessant-
ly talk about soul, spirit, inner purity and all
such things, themselves dont follow the
essence of spirituality. And their masters, who
preach austerity, live in a clover. I personally
know one famous spiritual guru who feels
infra-dig to travel in economy class with the
masses. Nothing short of business class is
acceptable to him. Alas, we all have become so
mentally paralysed that we dare not question as
to how all the spiritual gurus live life so luxuri-
ously? Where do they get the funds from and
who sponsor them? These are the fundamental
questions we all need to ask when slowly the
reality of the so-called spiritual teachers is
becoming more and more obvious.
SUMIT PAUL
sumitmaclean@hotmail.com
Asaram episode: arent we also equally responsible?
www.milligazette.com
Reasons for keeping Muslim stooges
When Emergency was clamped by the Indira regime in 1975,
among politicians imprisoned were the leaders of the RSS and
Jamaat-e-Islami (Hind). Many of them were put in the same jail.
The Jamaatis, by their sheer moralism and pietism, convinced the
Sanghis that the moral regeneration of India lies in the mutual
understanding and collaboration between the two God-fearing
groups. When Emergency was lifted in 1977 and these people
came out of jails, the Jamaatis tried for a long time to create a rap-
port with the Sanghis to further their understanding arrived at dur-
ing their imprisonment. But the Sanghis cold-shouldered them
and never responded to their overtures. The reason?
The Sanghis believe in a religion that is rooted in a particular
race and culture. Its a self-contained and closed system. One is
naturally born in the Vedic religion. Those born outside the Vedic
fold are excluded and there is no provision for proselytisation and
conversion. Thus Muslims and followers of other religions are
inexorably and deterministically barred from the Sangh as well as
its front organizations. It is understandable that they could not
countenance the presence of chuggi beards in their chintan
and manthan and military drills.
The Jan Sangh, founded in 1950 as the political front of the
RSS and the reincarnation of the All-India Hindu Mahasabha, had
no mercy and place either for Muslims or other religious commu-
nities because it would have been contrary to their agenda and the
deterministic policies. I dont remember any Mukhiarwa or
Sahjanawa or Akabarwa being ever admitted to the ranks of the
Jan Sangh. Then came the post-Emergency merger of the erst-
while anti-Congress parties and groups into the Janata Party. It
won the election of 1977 and was in government for a little over
two years. During this period the former Jan Sanghi ministers at
the Centre and in the states took full advantage of their powers to
effect mass deployment of the RSS elements in all branches of
administration which caused the chagrin of other groups. The rest
is history. The rivals demanded the disaffiliation of Janata Party
ministers from the RSS which they refused. Consequently, Janata
Party was split into many pieces. Out of this turmoil the former
Jan Sangh re-emerged as the Bhartiya Janata Party.
For a very long time, the doors of BJP were closed to other
communities. But it was during the rath yatra of pre-demolition
days that for the first time a Muslim stooge was inducted, who
later became the loudest raiser of the slogan of Jai Shri Ram
when the Ajodhya mosque was being razed to the ground. After
him, another stooge was taken in for being the son-in-law of a
Sanghi leader. Both now enjoy their political pension as members
of Indian Parliament.
Now back to the basic point: Why is the BJP-RSSS combine
keeping Muslim stooges? The reasons are not far-fetched. The
Sanghis have learnt their political lessons from their pseudo-sec-
ularist rival: 1. Having some Muslim show-boys in the organisa-
tion gives it legitimacy as a secular body. Otherwise, it is a
brand ethnic and culturally exclusive organisation. 2. These show-
boys and stooges provide the Sanghis a proof that it is not against
the Muslims. Although fundamentally its whole platform is anti-
Muslim. 3. At election time such stooges may be helpful in con-
fusing and dividing the Muslims to the benefit of the Sanghis.
Mohammed Mahmood (Retd Professor, AMU)
m.mahmood45@gmail.com
II
Without going into Hindu vote bank and/or Muslim vote bank,
Kamaal Faruquis stand on the media blitzkrieg is right on target.
Media is being used by vested interests to create an atmosphere
of demonizing of Muslims, as and when it suits them. If an alleged
criminal is charged, our legal position as explained by Kamaal
Faruqui is very correct and unshakeable. Nobody, but nobody,
Hindu, Muslim, Parsi, Sikh, Jew or Christian should be subjected
to a mass media trial and condemned as guilty. This is Kangaroo
court way of dispensing justice and Indian Judiciary has been too
busy to take note of this absurdity, through which a large number
of innocents, particularly from Muslim community, are arrested
and paraded before the people of India, without any care or dili-
gence over the rights of the person accused. All legal luminaries
are silent over a clear verdict of law. The result is that an atmos-
phere of permissiveness is prevailing that makes a blood sport of
targeting innocent Muslims. Innocent Muslims is most relevant
term as more and more Muslims arrested as terrorists or terror
suspects or accessory to crimes are being let off by courts, sadly
without any word of solace or compensation for their illegal incar-
ceration. Kamal Faruqui is the first progressive Muslim leader to
have dared to raise a voice against the political witch-hunting and
demonization of entire community, the supposed vote-bank, by
black-mailing and brow-beating them into voting for one or anoth-
er political parties. The concerted propaganda against Kamaal
Faruqui in media is expected as it hurts their business of holding
on to their readership with such scare- mongering, or their TRP
for hours an end. More and more sane people should come for-
ward against this media circus to rid the society of such commu-
nal elements, that threaten the peace and communal harmony of
the nation. Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai
ghulammuhammed3@gmail.com
III
Most of us are concerned about the plight of our community, both
within India and worldwide. To give you a current example, three
incidents have occurred in the last about one month on the cam-
pus of Baroda University. Minor clashes between Muslims and
non Muslims would be twisted as a clash between goondas and
good students. Invariably the Muslim would be suspended. The
climate in Gujarat is so strongly against Muslims that the media
applauds the University authorities for decisive action. Even
Muslim Professors prefer to keep silent on these issues. Should
someone like me keep quiet and let the careers of Muslim stu-
dents suffer? Or should I speak out and get branded as regres-
sive?
J.S.Bandukwala
drbandukwala@yahoo.co.in
IV
If Kamal Faruqui was part of any Muslim issues-based centric
Party, e.g, Welfare party of India or Peace Party etc, I think he
would not have been expelled so easily. It gives the signal for the
revival of Muslim issues-based centric parties to represent at
least some voice from the community. It may be in small numbers
but its better than nothing. Qaiser Mujtaba
qaisermujtaba@yahoo.com
V
If he was in any of today's Muslim parties and made the same
statement, no media would have covered it and even most
Muslims would not know about it. Except Urdu newspapers.
Because Muslim parties have very little following. Religion-based
parties are doing very poorly even in Pakistan. Let us be realistic
rather than live on our bubble. Let us first build some socioeco-
nomic strength. Then people will pay attention to us.
Kaleem Kawaja
kaleemkawaja@gmail.com
VI
Let BJP be pushed down to 25 seats or less and we will have
either secular parties advocating Muslim cause in a forceful way
or option to form Muslim issue-based secular parties. Time to
form Muslim issue-based secular parties will probably come after
2024 election or after 2029, not now. Let us be patient...
Subramaniam Swamy already advocated "Divide Muslims" doc-
trine and they are working on it. Internal weakness of Sangh pari-
var and tacit acceptance of decisive Muslim factor is accepted
even by our worst enemies and we must strengthen it.
Tariq Farooqui
tfarooqui98@hotmail.com
Muslim faces of secular political parties
Well-known Indian Muslim community leader and until recently a general secretary of the
supposedly pro-Muslim Samajwadi Party was unceremoniously sacked from his post by the
party on 5 September without any enquiry or show-cause notice. His crime was that he had
said in a TV interview on 29 August that it is not correct if Yasin Bhatkal was arrested
because of his religion and that he should not be called a "terrorist" by the media and police
until he is convicted by a court of law. Though Mr Faruqi has chosen not to comment saying
that he will comment or chart a course of action after he meets the Samajwadi Party
supremo Mulayam Singh which does not seem to have taken place even as we go to press on 10 September.
The dismissal aroused comments in the Urdu newspapers about the way "secular" parties use and throw
"Muslim" faces they use, especially during election times. Here are some comments on yahoogroups:
NATIONAL The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 3
Respond now if you care about your
community
White Paper on Terrorism
The issue of fake terrorism charges and the unjust arrests and defamation of our community,
especially since 2001, is the biggest challenge facing the community ever since. A grand con-
spiracy hatched by the powers that be, IB, Police and media, has sullied and defamed our com-
munity. This campaign has affected our lives, peace of mind and has thwarted our efforts to
progress and educate our children to join the national mainstream.
Our efforts so far to present our case, to bring out our innocence and force the national and
state governments to listen to our grievances have mostly failed. All we have received are a few
words of solace which have no real meaning and have not changed the situation on the ground.
Our children by their thousands are still languishing in jails on the basis of fake confessions
obtained through torture and blackmail.
As a long-term solution and a serious response to this problem thrust upon us, AIMMM
decided last year to bring out a white paper on the Muslim-related terrorism in the country.
The work is going on with all seriousness and many researchers, scholars and journalists are
busy preparing writeups on various aspects of this issue, covering the history, genesis, com-
munalism, vested interests in various related fields, analysis of various laws like TADA, POTA
and UAPA, fake encounters, narco tests, torture, acquittals, IB & Police role, media attitude,
case studies, statewise surveys, SIMI, Indian Mujahidin, Hindutva terror, individual tragedies
of victims, Azamgarh, Bhatkal, Malegaon, Darbhanga modules, some basic documents, etc.,
etc.
The target is to bring out this white paper during the next seven months and to release it in
a big convention at Delhi as a combined effort of major Muslim and civil rights organisations,
and thereafter present this huge document of over 600 large format pages to politicians, media,
human rights organisations, especially outside the country, in order to enlighten public opinion
at home and abroad as well as to build pressure on our blind and deaf government.
The estimated cost of this white paper is Rs 35 lakh divided as follows: Rs 15 lakh cost of
preparation and payments to contributors plus six months salaries to researchers and experts;
Rs 15 lakh for designing and printing the document in a world-class format; while the grand con-
vention at Delhi will cost at least 5 lakh. Effort will be made to release the White Paper in some
state and world capitals also.
You can help this effort in four ways,
1. To buy copies of the White Paper on Terrorism in advance to help defray part of the huge
cost of research, printing, publication and distribution of at least one thousand complimentary
copies. The estimated price of the white paper is Rs 2000 per copy in India. You may place an
advance order by paying Rs 1000 only per copy in India including postal charges). Payments
for the copies may be made to The Milli Gazette, D-84 Abul Fazal Enclave-I, Jamia Nagar, New
Delhi 110025. Email: edit@milligazette.com. Individuals and organisations ordering a minimum
of 100 copies in advance will be included as Sponsors of the White Paper.
2. Contribute to the cost of the grand convention to be held at Delhi towards the end of 2013.
This should be payable to the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, D-250, Abul Fazal Enclave,
Jamia Nagar, New Delhi-110025. Tel.: 011-26946780 Fax: 011-26947346. Email:
mushawarat@mushawarat.com.
3. Donate your time: If you are a scholar, researcher, journalist: join our team for a few
months working in our Delhi office or from your own home to complete this project - write
to the Editor, MG now at edit@milligazette.com.
4. Contact us if you have vital information/documents about this issue.
www.milligazette.com
THE MILLI GAZETTE
requires EXECUTIVE EDITOR,
JUNIOR JOURNALISTS
write with details in the first instance to the Editor at edit@milligazette.com
Basic requirements: good command over English, interest in and knowledge
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G D CHANDAN
Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi: Razia Begum of the Echo of India,
Port Blair, South Andaman, has won the
Certificate of Excellence and a Citation in the
first (2012) National Awards for Excellence for
Journalism along with a cash prize of
Rs. 25,000 for investigative journalism in the
category of Rural Journalism. She has been
recognized for creating awareness on women-
related issues in the face of adversities and dif-
ficulties.
Another Muslim journalist, Zishan Akbar
Latif, a freelance photographer of Mumbai, has
also been chosen for Journalism Excellence
Certificate along with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000
and a citation for his photo story capturing
moments in the life of a Lonely Old Person.
These Awards were conferred on the recip-
ients by Justice Mono Venkatachalan, former
Chief Justice of India, on the National Press Day
in New Delhi. The jury comprised of Dr. S.Y.
Qureshi, former Chief Election Commissioner of
India, and some eminent press dignitaries.
No entry could qualify for the Raja Ram
Mohan Roy Award which carries a prize of one
lakh rupees.
The sponsor, the Press Council of India, is
entrusted by the Indian Parliament with the
responsibility of encouraging the media to
observe the principle of freedom with responsi-
bility while pursuing their duties. Invitations for
the next (2013) contest have already been noti-
fied. The Awards are to be given in six cate-
gories, with the Raja Ram Mohan Roy National
Award for Excellence in Journalism, carrying
the highest cash prize of Rs. one lakh. There are
two sub-categories: The other categories are
Rural Journalism, Developmental Reporting,
Stree Shakti and Photo-Journalism, in which
there are two sub-categories: Single News and
Picture and Photo Feature. These carry a cash
component of Rs. 50,000 each. Besides the
cash component, these awards consist of a
plaque and citation. PCI, the national press
watchdog, is entrusted with the responsibility of
encouraging the media to observe the principle
of Freedom with Responsibility while pursuing
its duties. Other details of Eligibility Criteria,
Entry Form, Declaration Forms and Rules are
available on the website of the Council
(http://presscouncil.nic.in).
The last date for the entries is 20
September, 2013. Eligibility criteria and entry
forms can be downloaded from the website of
Press Council of India (http://presscouncil.nic.in
and deposited with the PCI Secretariat , Room
No: 353, Soochna Bhawan, 8, CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003.
Muslim journalists win
Journalism Excellence Awards
Islamic banking to be
introduced in India soon
Reserve Bank of India has decided to permit Keralas State Industrial Development Corporations CFSL
to start Islamic banking i.e. interest free banking system. According to UP Rabta Committees secretary,
Dr Obaid Iqbal Aasim who also has good insight on Islamic economy, Reserve Bank of India, by permit-
ting Islamic banking in Kerala, has taken a good and wise decision in the history of the country which
will no doubt greatly benefit the countrys economy. He said that during the past two decades there were
serious economic and financial crises in the world which very adversely affected world economy
because of which many banks went bankrupt and were closed down. He said that because of econom-
ic crisis a number of times many large commercial firms also were shut down but in such economic and
financial crises and critical circumstances Islamic banking system remained unaffected. This surprised
economists and financial experts all over the world and compelled them to think as to why negative and
harmful effects of economic crisis were not felt by the Islamic banking system.
After giving serious thought to this phenomenon they came to the conclusion that Islamic banking
or interest-free economic and financial system is very stable, constructive and long lasting system.
Hence all, or rather most of the countries of the world accepted and adopted Islamic economic system,
including Islamic or interest free banking system and today whether in Russia or western countries,
Islamic banking system is prevalent everywhere. There is hardly any country in the world in whose banks
there are no Islamic windows.
Dr Obaid Iqbal Aasim said that now all economists and financial experts are giving serious thought
to Islamic economic and banking system and our prime minister who himself is a great economist had
been thinking of introducing Islamic banking system but because of the opposition by the growing lobby
of communal minded people he could not do so. He said that now chances are bright that this system
will be started in Kerala as an experiment. He said that opposition by many people may probably be
because of the word Islamic. Hence the central government or RBI can remove the word Islamic and
start this system under interest-free banking. He said that in this way this system most probably will
be acceptable to all. He said that after RBIs permission to Kerala government to introduce Islamic bank-
ing, CFSL will be started by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation. He said that if interest-free
economic system windows are opened in all Indian banks, countrys economic and financial system will
certainly become stable. An idea of this can be had from the fact that according to Kerala government
estimates, this state can get deposits worth Rs 40 thousand crores from Gulf countries.
It is worth mentioning here that the credit for the concept of setting up economic institutions under
interest-free system for the first time in India goes to Deoband when Maulana Syed Husain Ahmad
Madni, who was made a prisoner in Malta for sometime by the British government, had set up an insti-
tution in Tanda (Rampur) under interest-free system. He said that though many institutions in India are
working on its pattern but have allowed giving and taking of interests as permissible under Sharaee pre-
text and expressed the fear that even if RBI permits interest-free economic system, following the exam-
ple of these institutions, many other economic institutions will start charging interest on the pretext of
Shariat. In this way the entire purpose of interest-free economic system will be defeated.
In any case, he said that if this system is introduced in Kerala, other states also will follow. For this,
ulama expert in Islamic economic and financial system will be needed. Hence our Islamic Madrasas,
particularly Darul Uloom Deoband and the like should introduce Islamic Economics in their education-
al syllabus so as to produce trained economic and financial experts. Chairman of the Institute of
Objective Studies (IOS) Dr Manzoor Alam while welcoming this step of the RBI said that this belated step
in any case is a step in the right direction which will have salutary effects on the countrys economy. He
said that IOS has been working on this system for the past 25 years and highlighted positive and useful
aspects of this system.
Delhi to get Madrasa Board
Inspite of the governments willingness long back to set up Madrasa Board, it could not be set up so far
either at the centre or in Delhi because of acute differences among Muslim religious leaders themselves
for and against it. Now, however, it is almost certain that a Madrasa Board will be set up in Delhi, not
because all Muslim leaders have agreed to it, or because Delhi government also has agreed but because
Delhi High Court has directed the state government to set up this Madrasa Board. Taking up the petition
of Gharib Nawaz Foundation for setting up the Madrasa Board in Delhi for hearing, a two-judge bench of
Justices Badar Darez Ahmad and Bhakdo directed the Delhi government to set up the Madrasa Board in
Delhi and for this, study the modus operandi and pattern on which Madrasa Boards have been set up in
some states.
After hearing the arguments of petitioners lawyer Nawal Kishore Jha who argued that Madrasa
Boards have been set up in nine states of the country, so why not Madrasa Board in Delhi also?, the
bench directed the Delhi government to set up the Madrasa Board. It may be stated that in the previous
hearing of this case on 24 July 2013, the court had asked the petitioners lawyer Nawal Kishore Jha to
submit in this court the rules and regulations, bye laws etc of states where Madrasa Boards have been
set up. In response to this directive of the High Court Nawal Kishore Jha submitted the rules, byelaws
etc of 5 states namely Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, UP and Bihar where Madrasa Boards
have been set up. After studying the rules, bye laws etc of these 5 states the High Courts bench direct-
ed Delhi government to set up the Madrasa Board in Delhi. The petitioner, Maulana Ansar Raza of Gharib
Nawaz Foundation through his lawyer Nawal Kishore, after hearing the High Courts directive to Delhi
government, requested the Court to lay down the time frame also by or before which the Madrasa Board
should be set up in Delhi, the court said that no deadline is necessary and its order is enough for set-
ting up this Board. It may also be stated that Maulana Ansar Raza of Gharib Nawaz Foundation had been
making the demand for setting up Madrasa Board in Delhi for about two and a half years and after such
a long period his dream had been fulfilled.
It may also be stated in this connection that in January last year (2012) Delhi government had given
the green signal for setting up the Madrasa Board but many organizations, including All India Muslim
Majlis Mushawarat had strongly opposed it, fearing that after setting up the Madrasa Board and getting
the governments financial help it (government) may interfere in the management of Madrasas and their
syllabus etc which may affect Madrasas autonomy. Maulana Ansar Raza however says that the govern-
ments financial help will be good for madrasa students as well as teachers.
Gautam Budh Uni welcomes Madrasa students
There are good opportunities for Urdu medium students as well as those from Islamic madrasas to get
admissions in Gautam Budh International University in Noida. According to Dr Obaid Ghaffar, Coordinator
of Department of Urdu in this University, the last date for admission in this University previously was
16 July but on the request of students this date has been extended upto 6 September. He said that stu-
dents who want to do MA in Urdu can easily get admission in this University. He further said that in order
to associate Urdu with employment, Urdu has been included in professional courses also and in addi-
tion to MA (Urdu), this subject (Urdu) has been allowed in mass media and journalism. Madrasa-pass
students who have degrees equivalent to BA are entitled to seek admission in MA journalism course.
English education will also be imparted to such students. He said that in this University (Gautam Budh
International) at Noida students who want to do MA in Urdu, are given admissions on easy terms.
Admissin forms, Prospectus etc can be obtained from the Universitys administrative division. For more
information, Universitys website www.bguacin can be approached.
N. A. ANSARI
4 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 NATIONAL www.milligazette.com
New Delhi: The All India Muslim Majlis-e
Mushawarat, the umbrella body of Indian Muslim
organisations, on 5 September rubbished the
claims made by Dr. Riad Abbas, the Syrian envoy
in India, as carried by a Delhi-based newspaper
on that day that Indian Muslims are fighting
alongside rebels in Syria. AIMMM President Dr
Zafarul-Islam Khan said that the Syrian ambassa-
dor has failed to offer any proof or names of any
Indian Muslims who he claims are fighting in
his country. Dr Khan rejected the lame excuse put
forward by the ambassador that proof could not
be presented to the Indian government because
no Indian high level official has visited Syria
recently. Dr Khan said the Indian mission in
Damascus is functioning while the Syrian
embassy too is working here in New Delhi and
these are the normal channels for governments
to deliver and receive any information or com-
plaint. Dr Khan said the Syrian ambassador is in
New Delhi precisely for this purpose in which he
has clearly failed and has, instead, misused his
diplomatic office to approach a newspaper to air
his unfounded allegations which were earlier,
again in vague terms, parroted by a visiting
Syrian minister last March. The Mushawarat had
taken notice of that statement at the time and had
demanded the Syrian authorities to offer proof if
they have any.
Dr Khan added that the Syrian ambassador in
Ukraine made a similar allegation that citizens of
that country are fighting alongside the Syrian
rebels. The Ukrainian government at once took
notice of that claim, rubbished it and demanded
proof which the Syrian ambassador has failed to
provide. Dr Khan said our government too should
take a serious note of this insinuation and med-
dling in our internal affairs and should ask the
ambassador to furnish proof of what he has
claimed. Dr Khan asked the Minister of External
Affairs to teach a lesson or two to this envoy
about how a foreign ambassador should behave
on foreign soil.
Dr Khan added that, according to his infor-
mation, a British national of Indian origin, a cer-
tain Dr Abbas Khan who is an orthopaedic sur-
geon, has been caught by the Syrian authorities
when it overran a rebel-held area a few months
ago. This surgeon was offering humanitarian aid
to the injured but he has been branded as a for-
eign fighter by the Syrian regime.
However, the Syrian ambassador denied
having made such a statement according to
Inquilab (6 September). Later, on 8 September,
the ambassador sent a rebuttal to the Indian
Express which had published the original story. A
copy of the rebuttal was also sent by email to The
Milli Gazette. The Indian Express was yet to pub-
lish it when MG went to press on 10 September.
In this rebuttal, the ambassador has categorical-
ly said: most of what have been published is a
misquotation of what HE said in his interview
with your esteemed newspaper...HE did not men-
tioned the phrase "Indian Fighters" are waging
"Islam Jihad" against President Bashar al-Assad's
regime", but he said there are terrorists from dif-
ferent nationalities are illegally entering the coun-
try through the Turkish borders to fight against
the Syrian people and government...
Mushawarat rejects the Syrian envoys claim
Finally, manual scavenging
is banned
New Delhi: A Bill seeking to prohibit employ-
ment of individuals as manual scavengers
and providing for rehabilitation of those
involved in this work and their families
through jobs and other provisions was
passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 September.
Minister for Social Justice and
Empowerment Kumari Selja moved the
Prohibition of Employment as Manual
Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill,
2012 in the Lok Sabha. It was passed after a
short discussion. The minister said the Bill
aims to provide for the prohibition of employ-
ment as manual scavengers, rehabilitation of
those involved in this work and their families.
"This dehumanising practice is inconsistent
with the right to live with dignity," Selja said,
adding a need was felt for a stringent law on
the issue. We want to remove the stigma and
blot on the society", the Minister said, while
calling for a "change of mindset" to end the
menace. Selja also expressed the hope that a
strong law would also help erase the practice
from the society. The new law is being
enacted as it was felt that existing laws have
not proved adequate in eliminating the twin
evils of insanitary latrines and manual scav-
enging.
India is a Hindu nation in the
cultural sense, says Goa CM
Panaji: India is a Hindu nation in the cultural
sense and Catholics in Goa are culturally
Hindu, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has
said on 5 September. "India is a Hindu nation
in the cultural sense. A Catholic in Goa is
also Hindu culturally because his practices
don't match with Catholics in Brazil except in
the religious aspect, a Goan Catholic's way
of thinking and practice matches a Hindu's,"
Mr Parrikar said in an interview to The New
York Times' India blog.
The chief minister said he was a "perfect
Hindu" but added that it was his personal
faith and that "it has nothing to do with gov-
ernment". Mr Parrikar took pains to distin-
guish Hindu as a cultural rather than a reli-
gious term. "I am not the Hindu nationalist as
understood by some TV media - not one who
will take out a sword and kill a Muslim.
According to me, that is not Hindu behaviour
at all. Hindus don't attack anyone, they only
do so for self-defence - that is our history,"
said Mr Parrikar who was one of the leading
candidates for the post of party president
some years back and headed the BJP's inno-
vation cell.
Modi targets Bhuj Sikh Farmers
A large number of farmers, mostly from the
Sikh community in the Bhuj District in Kutch
region of Gujarat are the victims of a conspira-
cy hatched by the Narendra Modi-led BJP
Government and the big corporate companies
wanting to take-over their land for a song. Their
plight is all the more glaring when one consid-
ers the fact that they originally relocated from
the present-day Punjab and Haryana at the
behest of the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur
Shastri who after the 1965 Indo-Pak War
appealed to the farmers from the region to set-
tle in Kutch. His initiative was primarily with the
objective that the enterprising farmers from the
region could develop and cultivate the unfertile
land and increase food production. In addition
to this, it is said that he also saw it as a meas-
ure to ensure that the borders are defended
from any incursions. Today they are sought to
be hounded out on the pretext that they were
"outsiders" in their own country. Farmers from
the united Punjab came to Kutch, purchased
land and settled there on the basis of Shastris
appeal. They toiled for years to improve the bar-
ren, unfertile wasteland and converted it to fer-
tile productive land by their sheer hard work.
They have been now living and cultivating the
land in this region for nearly five decades and
are growing multiple crops. At present there are
over 5000 such families who are cultivating
about 1 lakh acres of land. They are possess-
ing ration cards and voter's cards and Gujarat is
their state of domicile. They speak Gujarati lan-
guage and have assimilated themselves into
the local society. Despite problems and the
unviable nature of Indian agriculture these pro-
gressive farmers were able to attain reasonable
economic security and prosperity through their
unceasing efforts. However, the coming of
industries around the region and also the prox-
imity to the port had led to a feverish race to
grab land cheaply, at times also through threats
and intimidation.
A. G. KHAN
Ujjain: Though the curfew in Indore has come to an end and the area is limp-
ing back to normalcy, it has left scars not only on communal harmony but
has also dealt a severe blow to the economy of the area. That a feud between
a few boys should throw the people of both the communities into an abyss
of hatred and mistrust and bring woes and suffering in the lives of thousands
is a matter that the elderly people of both the communities must think about
and evolve a strategy whereby such a situation does not arise again. Each
community should warn its wayward youths to strictly adhere to discipline
and not to tarnish the image of the community.
Violence had erupted in Chandan Nagar locality on 20 August following the
recovery of a cow carcass from a place of worship. Curfew was clamped
same day and it was lifted only on 29 August once peace returned to the
area. Nearly 50 people, including 20 police personnel, were injured in the
stone pelting and clashes.
While the blame game began from day one, each party accusing the
other of begining the riot; the media blames the administration for its apathy
and lack of intelligence reports. The handling of tear gas shells, quality of tear
gas guns made rioters laugh at the incompetence of policemen. While
Digvijay Singh accused Hindu organisations of fanning the fire; Kailash
Vijayvargiya accused Congress of sparking it. Video footage, however,
shows office-bearers of BJP involved in stone-pelting. Patrika newspaper
has named these persons saying that it has footage of the video. Meanwhile,
police has arrested three persons accused of slaughtering a cow and dump-
ing it in front of a temple. It claims that they have confessed to their crime
and an autorickshaw used in carrying the carcass has also been recovered.
Dr Ishrat Ali Qadri, the city Qazi, along with the Mufti of Malwa toured the
area and listened to the woes of the people who complained that police did
not spare anyone - neither children nor women in raining blows. Earlier, the
city Qazi had made a dash to Bhopal to apprise the CM about the facts
demanding a probe.
One can heave a sigh of relief that it did not claim any loss of life though
a 22-year-old youth, Wasim, is in a critical condition. He had been on the
ventilator and is now responding to treatment. A few policemen were also
injured and are also reported responding to treatment. The city deserves
appreciation for the restraint it observed and the riot remained confined to
only one police station area and the rest of the city remained not only calm
but celebrated Rakhi with traditional fervour. The administration maintained
constant vigil as not only festivals like Dussera, Diwali, Idul-Azha are so
close but also because of the forthcoming elections. The administration can-
not overlook the challenges such situations pose at such crucial a juncture
which the politicians are so keen to exploit for party gains.
Several families in the affected area could not celebrate Rakhi; a patient
Akram (35) suffering from cancer remained deprived of milk, his only source
of nutrition for two days. An elderly person Ibrahim Kasim (75), who lost his
nephew in Bhusawal, had to be escorted out of the area by police party. Two
women were sent in an ambulance to hospital for delivery. A dead body was
sent to the burial grounds in a carrier.
Both the communities must ensure that their youths do not endanger
peace of the locality while playing cricket or driving bikes. Just a few boys
should not be allowed to play with the security and welfare of thousands of
people.
Peace returns to Indore after 9 days of curfew
Muslim orgs demand dismissal
of UP govt
New Delhi: Leaders of leading Muslim organizations, including Maulana
Mahmood Madani, general Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, Dr QRS Ilyas,
member of All Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Nusrat Ali, general sec-
retary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Dr Zafarul Islam Khan, president of All India
Muslim Majlis-e-
Mushawarat, Dr Taslim
Rahmani, president
Muslim Political Council,
Maulana Mohsin Taqawi,
executive secretary of
Masjlis Ulama-e Hind,
Maulana Shees Taimi of
Jamiat Ahle Hadith Hind
in a combined press
conference here on 10
September at JUH cen-
tral office unanimously
demanded forthwith dis-
missal of Akhilesh gov-
ernment and establishment of President's rule in U.P. because the incumbent
state government has failed to control the deteriorating situation in and is
responsible for inciting violence and its abetment. The Muslim organisations
rejected the excuse of Akhilesh Kumar that riots are a fall-out of conspiracies
by the oppositions. They asserted that opposition political parties in any
political dispensation try to destabilise the incumbent government but it is the
duty of the ruling party to maintain law and order at all cost. But Akhilesh
government has decidedly failed in its duty, therefore this government has
lost the moral high ground to remain in power. The Muslim leaders main-
tained that more than a hundred communal riots have taken place within the
two years of the Samajwadi government and this is enough to prove its fail-
ure.
Replying the queries posed by media, Maulana Mahmood Madani explained
that the question is not about involvement of communal forces in the violence
but the real issue is abetment of the Akhilesh government and its laxity as
some two weeks have passed since the conflagrations began but instead of
controlling the violence with an iron hand, it let it spread to other areas.
Madani said Muslims were not expecting from this government that it would
remain inactive and let riots spread even to interior villages. "It seems that
Akhilesh Government wants the riots to continue. Maulana Madani said that
thousands of Muslim vil-
lagers are fleeing their
home and taking shelter
in camps. In the press
conference Muslim lead-
ers demanded immedi-
ate suspension and
stern punitive action
against the offials found
negligent. They under-
scored that mere trans-
fer is not punishment but
a prize. They demanded
that besides urban
areas, military personnel
should be deployed in the interior villages which are more prone to violence.
The organizations asked the central government to discharge its constitution-
al responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquility in the troubled region
and intervene for the sake of humanity. Earlier, on 8 August, the All India
Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, umbrella body of Indian Muslim organizations,
said today that the Akhlesh Yadav government in Uttar Pradesh has utterly
failed on the law and order front and should be dismissed forthwith to allow
for a spell of governor raj. The Mushawarat also demanded that political par-
ties indulging in communal politics should be derecognised and individuals
found guilty of indulging in communal politics and stoking violence should be
barred from contesting in elections. The Mushawarat made these demands
in a letter to the Union Home Minister Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde.
NATIONAL The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 5 www.milligazette.com
SUBHASHINI ALI
Immediately after winning the state assembly elections in 2012,
leader of the Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav, lost no time in
thanking Muslim voters of the state for having contributed the most
towards his Partys electoral victory. He has been repeating his sense
of gratitude on several occasions since then and has vowed that the
Government led by his son, Akhilesh Yadav, will go the extra mile to
redress Muslim grievances and see that their demands for justice in
all spheres are met.
Today, 15 months since the SP Govt. took office, however,
Muslims in UP are disillusioned and angry. Pratapgarh, Mathura,
Gonda and most seriously, Faizabad, have all witnessed attacks on
the minority community and everywhere the state police has played
abettor to those indulging in arson, loot and violence. Everywhere it
is the Muslims who have suffered loss of property and lives. There
has been little effort made by the state government to punish either
rioters or the officials responsible. It was only in response to the
Faizabad incidents that the Government acted. Incidents of rioting and
arson took place there on 12 October, 2012, and continued unabated
for three hours. They then started spreading to nearby areas. Two
persons were killed and more than 100 shops were burnt along with
a newspaper office and a mosque. Senior officers rushed to Faizabad
from Lucknow and reported that police and administrative officers
switched off their mobiles and refused to obey orders. As a result,
one SP, one Inspector and two Magistrates were suspended. On
26 May, however, all of them were re-instated without any explanation
whatsoever.
It is the way in which the SP Government is responding to the
issue of terror suspects, however, that is creating the most anger
and resentment among Muslims on the one hand and giving a handle
to the BJP to strengthen communal polarization on the other.
In its election manifesto, the SP had promised to release all inno-
cent Muslims under arrest in jails. This was a strange and controver-
sial assurance but it did create hope among large numbers of people
who were concerned and agitated by the wholesale arrests of young
Muslim men from Uttar Pradesh, especially from Azamgarh, when-
ever a bomb blast occurred not only in the state but also outside. For
several months after assuming office, the government did nothing to
redeem this promise and then, when it did act, it approached the High
Court in November 2012, in a most ineffective manner that was
bound to fail. The Court responded with very sarcastic comments
saying, Should terrorists be given the Padma Shri? etc. which were
widely publicized and even more widely utilised by the BJP. Instead
of learning a lesson from this, in April this year, the state government
filed an affidavit in the District Court of Barabanki appealing for the
release of Tariq Qasmi (accused in a number of terror cases).
Again, the state government approached the Lucknow Bench of the
Allahabad High Court on 6 June, 2013, requesting withdrawal of sev-
eral cases in the public interest and maintenance of communal har-
mony. Unsurprisingly, this was rejected by the Court on 7 June and
has been referred to a larger Bench. There is good reason to believe
that these attempts by the UP Government to live up to its poll prom-
ise are, by design, not meeting with any success. They are meant to
satisfy Muslim sentiment without outraging others. Of course, they
are failing on both counts.
What contributes to this questioning of the Governments motives
is the fact that if it was sincere, there are two instances in which the
Government could have acted in order to undo past injustices without
subverting the rule of law.
In the first place, there are at least nine young men, all belonging
to Kanpur, who have been acquitted by the High Court of charges of
rioting, murder and terrorist activities, after having spent between 8
and 10 years in jail in the state. In February, 2013, Prakash Karat and
Subhashini Ali met the Chief Minister and gave him a memorandum
demanding compensation and rehabilitation for them and also action
against all officers and personnel responsible for framing them, tor-
turing them and obtaining forced confessions from them. The
Government has not responded so far which is incomprehensible.
Here is a Government that is promising to release terror accused from
jails but not rendering justice to those who have been acquitted in
cases involving acts of terror.
In the second instance, the Government could and should have
accepted the recommendations of the Nimesh Commission of
Enquiry that had been set up by the previous state government and
whose report the present Government received in August, 2012, but
has chosen to keep under wraps until today.
The Commission, headed by a High Court Judge, Shri
R.D. Nimesh, was constituted in 2008 by the BSP Government in
response to huge protests against perceived injustice done to two
terror accused, Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi. Both these young
men had been arrested, allegedly by the STF, from near their homes
in Jaunpur and Azamgarh districts on 12 and 16 December, 2007
respectively. Their arrests were witnessed by hundreds of people and
FIRs were launched in police stations in both cases on that date.
When there was no information available as to their whereabouts,
some people started a dharna in Lucknow and its leader threatened
to commit suicide on the 23 December. On the 22nd, the state police
announced that they had arrested both the men along with a large
amount of explosives etc. from outside Barabanki station early that
morning. They were accused of bomb blasts in Gorakhpur etc. and
sent to jail. The protests, however, continued and the BSP
Government responded by announcing the Nimesh Commission of
Enquiry. The Commission interviewed hundreds of people - eye-wit-
nesses from Jaunpur and Azamgarh, family members of the accused,
the accused themselves, the police and administrative personnel
involved in their arrests and framing of charges, and members of the
judiciary and jail administration. Its report ran into more than 200
pages and was submitted to the State Government in August, 2012.
The Government could and should have made it public, it could and
should have placed it before the state assembly where it could have
been debated and then accepted and it could and should have used it
as the legal basis to secure the release of the two young accused.
After all, when the case of a young Kashmiri who had been wrongful-
ly confined in jail in Delhi on charges of terrorist activity was raised in
the Rajya Sabha by Com. Brinda Karat, leaders of all parties, includ-
ing the BJP demanded justice, compensation and rehabilitation.
Unfortunately, the SP Government did nothing at all with the report.
Some months ago, the Nimesh Commission report was leaked
and is now widely available. The report, in its findings, accepts that
both Tariq and Khalid were arrested from Azamgarh and Jaunpur on
12th and 16th December respectively and that they were beaten and
tortured. Justice Nimesh says that while it is clear that those who
apprehended, beat and tortured the two men belonged to the state
police, it is not possible to name them but, after an enquiry has been
conducted by the state government, they should certainly be pun-
ished. Justice Nimesh goes on to say that it seems highly unlikely
that Tariq and Khalid could have been apprehended from Barabanki
railway station on the 22nd December while they were in possession
of explosive material as has been alleged by the police. He then gives
several suggestions such as setting up of special courts to try cases
involving terrorist acts which should complete the trial within two
years; videography of the interrogation process; etc.
Why should the state government have kept the Nimesh Report
out of the public domain when its conclusions and recommendations
were very cautious and logical? The only reason can be that the
Government wanted to protect the police, administrative and judicial
personnel involved even at the cost of unforgivable denial of justice
that assumed a horrible dimension recently.
On the 18th May, when Tariq and Khalid were being brought back
to Lucknow from the Faizabad court under police escort, Khalid felt
unwell in Barabanki. He was taken to the district hospital and was
shortly declared dead. His death in custody has aroused a storm of
protest and raised several questions. The post-mortem report has
not answered any of them since it gives the cause of death as being
uncertain and states that his face was swollen and dark, there were
blood stains near his nose, his finger nails were blackish. Also sur-
prising is the fact that while he was wearing kurta pyajama that day
in the court, his dead body was dressed in a vest and a track pant.
Soon after his death, his uncle lodged an FIR in the Barabanki Kotwali
accusing all the officers involved in his arrest - including a former DGP,
ADG and several senior officers - as being part of a conspiracy to kill
him. The following day, the Rihai Manch, an organization of Human
Rights activists, started an indefinite dharna in Lucknow demanding
the arrests of the police personnel named in the FIR and also
Government acceptance of the Nimesh Commission Report. The
dharna, which still continues to this day, has been addressed by var-
ious leaders of Left parties, mass organizations, human rights groups
and also Muslim organizations.
The Chief Minister made a statement the next day saying that
Khalid died a natural death. But, mysteriously, after another day
passed, the nine police personnel escorting Khalid and Tariq were
suspended and a compensation of six lakh was announced for his
family. This was turned down by his mother and uncle. These
actions of the state government, while they have done nothing to
assuage anger have, once again, become part of the BJP cam-
paign.
Most unfortunately, on the 19th May, some lawyers of Faizabad
who claimed to speak on behalf of the entire legal fraternity, attacked
lawyers who were defending Tariq Qasmi and one of them was badly
injured while the offices of all of them were destroyed. The District
Administration has taken no action at all in spite of its assurances and
the affected lawyers are sitting on the ground and carrying on with
their work. This shameful incident has not been condemned by any
political party other than the CPI(M).
Ten days after Khalids death, the state cabinet discussed the
Nimesh Commission Report and accepted its recommendations
and announced that it would be placed in the next Assembly session
with an ATR. Interestingly, it was during this period that the hate
speech case against Varun Gandhi was withdrawn after all the wit-
nesses, including senior Government officials, turned hostile. Open
allegations of SP complicity have been made and a Minister, Riaz
Ahmed, whose constituency falls under Varun Gandhis Lok Sabha
constituency, is alleged to have struck a deal with him. In return for
support in the Assembly election, the case would be withdrawn. As
it has been!
In the run-up to the Lok Sabha election which is around the cor-
ner, the U.P. state has, once again, been converted into a communal
tinder-box. This will benefit no party other than the BJP. What is even
more unfortunate is the fact that the terrible miscarriage of justice that
has blighted so many young lives and ruined the future of so many
women and children, is not being addressed at all. While a doctor of
Indian origin in Australia is compensated by a Government that ten-
ders an unqualified, public apology for having confined him wrongful-
ly for 12 days, Indian citizens wait for justice from their own
Governments in despair and rage. This is a situation in which secu-
lar and left forces must intervene otherwise communal organizations
of all hues will have a field day. (Peoples Democracy)
The author is CPIM leader and a former MP
SP unable to tackle the U.P. communal tinderbox
FIRDAUS AHMED
A leading military school in the country recently compiled the list of
cadets that had entered its portals ever since it was founded pre-
Independence. Of 2896 cadets that have entered its precincts since
Independence, only 28 had Muslim names. You can do your maths;
but the statistics bespeaks of several things. One is certainly that
the odds appear to be stacked against our young boys for they per-
haps not only do not know of such opportunities, but are also
sloven in contesting for them and finally are unable to clear the
admission tests. There are several reasons that can explain this
away: poor if improving economic and literacy levels, low standards
of schooling that prevent their being competitive and perhaps
opportunities elsewhere such as in the Gulf, that keeps them away
from chasing down such vacancies. However, the statistics also
suggests the levels of engagement of the Muslim community with
the security sector in the country.
In light of this it was heartening to read that 10 young lads from
AMU have cleared the National Defence Academy test. This can be
attributed in part to the leadership team in AMU comprising former
military men: the VC and Registrar. It remains to be seen if this
becomes a trend. If so, it would increase the number of Muslim
names on the merit lists that are usually scrutinised by some organ-
isations with religious affiliation, including sometimes this publica-
tion (Milli Gazette), for the presence (and absence) of Muslims.
While there is much halla bulloo over Muslims cracking the
civil services, such as the inspiring Kashmiri doctor topping the
exam recently, those entering the military and the security services,
such as the paramilitary, receive less accolade. There is a case for
a concerted attempt by the community to redress this under-repre-
sentation.
The earlier explanations for lack of Muslim representation in the
security services including the military, cannot work forever. Some
of these, such as the invidious suggestion that Muslims are kept
out due to some unacknowledged policy of covert discrimination,
does not merit serious attention.
A fact needs acknowledging that the community has neglected
this avenue of social mobility, economic opportunity and service to
the wider nation. At Independence and soon thereafter, there was an
exodus of the Muslim elite and middle classes for the land of the
pure and further westwards to the extent that curiously the largest
community of South Asian language speakers in the US today com-
prises those speaking Urdu. Even if a proportion of these exited
from Pakistan, a good number are former Indian Muslims, no doubt
largely of Ashraf lineage, who have abandoned their larger com-
munity that includes the underclass of Arzal and Ajlaf, for better
climes. The next destination soon thereafter has been the Middle
East, to which Indian Muslims have headed but only to be treated
with mildly condescending tolerance. In effect, Indian Muslims have
not focussed on opportunities that have been theirs for the taking in
their neighbourhood - the low hanging fruit. Therefore, Muslims
keeping away better explains the speculative figure, not officially
acknowledged, that there are about 29000 Muslims in the million-
strong Indian Army. Being frank about this can help redress the
scale of under-representation.
The onus is on the community to sign up for a life in uniform.
There are several advantages in doing so. The foremost is that
some of the largesse, that is indeed the defence budget amounting
to over 2.03 trillion rupees ($37.7 billion) in 2014, will get chan-
nelled into Muslim homes. This has a potential to lift economic
indices of the community. An example is the density of Muslim ser-
vicemen and ex-servicemen in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan.
They are considerably better off than most other Muslim communi-
ties. The advantages that certain other communities, such as the
Sikhs and mountain folk, that have lent their shoulder to the nation-
al security enterprise, can then be shared more widely across the
land. Second, there is a benefit for the security sector in that a
greater representativeness is made possible by entry of Muslims in
greater numbers. Knowledge and understanding occurs that trans-
lates as operation gains. This can be useful when, say, the Army is
deployed in Kashmir or the paramilitary is deployed in Muslim
majority areas. That ignorance fuels apprehension is well appreci-
ated. With Muslim compatriots in their midst dispelling any negative
Muslim stereotype, the paramilitary and military would be more
mature, restrained, in their response to violence.
Finally, the school list had the pre-Independence era entries.
The first 28 Muslim names on that list were among the first 100,
implying that close to one third of the cadets were Muslims during
that period. From the number cadets with Khan as surname it can
be surmised that these belonged to the erstwhile martial races in
which the Pathan and Punjabi Musalman communities, now in
Pakistan, were prominent. The fact is that today the figure has fall-
en to less than one-fiftieth of that. The martial race theory having
been jettisoned along with colonialism, it is time that Muslims came
out of the shadows of Partition.
The fact remains that for some thousand years Muslims had a
say in the security of the subcontinent. They have to gain a seat at
the national security high table by the dint of placing their sons in
harms way. On a lighter note, from the over-representation of the
community in prisons - reportedly at 19 per cent - for reasons not
gone into here, it is clear that there is sufficient energy, initiative and
courage in youngsters that can potentially be channelled into mar-
tial pursuits to the betterment of all - the individual, community and
nation.
Doing more with the military
... the terrible miscarriage of justice that has blighted so many young lives and ruined the future of so
many women and children, is not being addressed at all. While a doctor of Indian origin in Australia is
compensated by a Government that tenders an unqualified, public apology for having confined him
wrongfully for 12 days, Indian citizens wait for justice from their own Governments in despair and rage.
RAM PUNIYANI
ram.puniyani@gmail.com
Our society has seen severe
turmoils in the name of reli-
gion during last three decades
in particular. While, on one
side, we see that issues relat-
ed to religious identity are try-
ing to occupy the centre-
stage, we are also witnessing
the emergence of thousands
of self-proclaimed Godmen who claim divine
powers. They also claim and sometimes the state,
society does informally accord them some sort of
a special status.
This came to the light once again in the case of
Asaram Bapu, against whom the allegation of rape
of a minor girl was made. In this case, the arrest of
the accused was warranted immediately, but the
police took its sweet time and only with great diffi-
culty and 11-day drama finally arrested the
accused. Bapu did try to evade the arrest on vari-
ous grounds: so many programmes are lined up,
am unwell, my relative has died Finally some
pressures did work and Baba was arrested from
his Indore Ashram on 31 August.
Asaram is amongst the countrys leading god-
men, as far as wealth, numbers of ashrams and the
numbers of followers are concerned. While he has
many influential people amongst his followers,
there is no dearth of political people blatantly sup-
porting the likes of him or delaying his arrest under
the pressure of electoral calculations.
This is not the first time that criminal cases
have been talked about against him, many a case
of land grabbing came to surface, but law of the
land seemed to be sleeping on that. The death of
two boys in his Ahmadabad Ashram, and two in
Chindwara Ashram got suppressed through the
mechanisms which are a back up of these god-
men.
To be fair to Asaram, he is not alone in the
game. There are hordes of godmen who have
acquired infinite wealth in the process of this busi-
ness. Many of them have been linked to cases of
murder in their ashrams (e.g., Shankaracharaya
Jayendra Sarswati, late Bhagwan Staya Sai Baba).
The list of those involved in sex scandals of various
types is a long one and the lead in this area goes to
Nityanand Mahraj who claimed that he is an rein-
carnation of Lord Krishna. The life-style of these
saints is one of luxury and affluence, proving that
while preaching renunciation and celibacy, one
gets the best of what the world has to offer in the
arena of material wealth and comfort.
Using the word saint for this breed of Babas
is also a bit problematic. We do recall the medieval
saints of the genre of Kabir, Tukaram, Namdeo,
Paltu, Raidas, who came from low caste, were
working for their living, and rubbed shoulders with
the poor and deprived. They criticised the evil prac-
tices in the society and questioned the social
inequality in particular. They expressed the anguish
of the deprived sections of society, the way
Chokhmela, a saint from Maharashtra, talked of
injustice in this world where one that grows the
grains is hungry, one that weaves the clothes does
not have clothes and one who builds the houses
has to sleep under the open sky. These saints
shunned power-centres and many of them had to
face atrocities from those in power. Nizamuddin
Auliya, a Sufi saint, refused to entertain the king
(Tughlaq) at his hospice. Kabir talked against caste
system, against the divisions in the name of reli-
gion and the social power structure. They had fol-
lowers mainly amongst the poor and deprived.
The current genre of the saints have big fol-
lowing amongst the affluent, receive huge dona-
tions from those who are drenched in questionable
wealth and the powers that be are on their side.
These saints have built up their empires of
wealth, affluence and power over a period of time.
It is interesting that in India there has been a
long tradition of people associated with religion.
The dominant category is that of the clergy, like the
Shankaracharya tradition. There are Mutts and
ashrams and there are centres where theology and
philosophy of religion is taught and discussed at
length. Incidentally, the current series of godmen
have not much to do with theology or philosophical
debates around religion. In contrast, the medieval
saints were rooted in the society and talked of
social issues, struggled against social evils, like
Kabir comparing Chakki (grinding mill) with the idol
of lord or reprimanding Mulla for loud bang (Azan).
Such social issues are not the concern of
present godmen. There is a vast variety of them
and it is not easy to generalise them and their meth-
ods. Still some major features of the present ones
can be outlined. Their rooting in philosophy or
social issues is skin-deep. They have picked up
some formulae which are elaborated with song,
music and dance or they deliver long discourses
which probably soothe the tense nerves of a sec-
tion of society, a section facing social dilemmas
and anxieties. Some of these godmen are out-
right frauds like Nirmal Baba who advised dubious
solution to problems, e.g., through change of the
colour of chatni (sauce) which is eaten with popu-
lar Indian snack, Samosa. Meditation and yoga is a
major method of these gurus apart from discours-
es. Some of them, like Morari Bapu, have the luxu-
ry of preaching Bhagwat (Sacred Narration) while
taking devotees on sea cruise around the world.
So the prefix saint has a totally different mean-
ing with these two divergent set of people, the genre
of Kabir-Nazamuddin Auliya on one side and Asaram-
Nirmal Baba on the other. There is a fundamental dif-
ference in their grouping. In his famous sentence, Karl
Marx said, Religion is the sigh of the oppressed crea-
ture, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of
soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people. And
this sentence seems to answer this difficult question
in categorising the complex variety of saints. On one
hand, we have clergy (the official and unofficial
upholders of rituals and guardians of the institution of
religion), in the form of Pundit, Maulana, Granthi, and
Padri. On other hand, we have a vast array of medieval
saints, coming from different religions, Bhakti and Sufi
saints who, while talking in idiom of religion, were not
associated with the power-structure or performance
of rituals. And then we have this vast array of present-
day saints proliferating at the rate of dime a dozen
from the most well-known like Asaram, Baba Ramdev
and Sri Sri Ravishankar to the small-time operators in
different towns and cities.
The clergy was definitely part of the power-
structure, accompaniment of the feudal lord and
the kings. In Maharashtra, the phrase Shetji-Bhatji
(Landlord-Brahmin) sums it up very well. There is
Raja-Rajguru, while the Nawab and Shahi Imam is
another association and the most structured one in
this category comes in the form of King and Pope.
They stood for status quo in society, where the
poor peasants were being exploited to their bones.
They acted as a sort of opiate for the masses to
keep them tied to their hard labour.
One can say that in contrast, the medieval
saints were the sigh of oppressed in this heartless
exploitative world.
Coming back to the Asaram Bapu-Nirmal
baba series, they are again like the opiate for the
affluent masses. Unquestioning the system, blind
to injustices, quiet on social evils in the name of
religion and at the same time they cultivate strong
bonds with social powers and have political patron-
age. While BJP currently may be coming forward in
a bit more forthright manner to defend the Babas in
the name of Hindu religion, even other political
streams do not have enough courage to criticise
these babas. These babas do fulfill the need of the
opium to calm tense nerves and assume the larg-
er-than-life image for themselves under the garb of
religion. They become more equal in the eyes of
powers that be so it becomes difficult to get them
arrested for criminal charges in the routine course
and they can defy the law of the land to some or, at
times, great extent. So unless the charge is very
blatant, like as in case of Asaram now, most of
them get support from the political classes and
their blind supporters. One recalls Atal Bihari
Vajpayee and Asaram Bapu sitting on a Dhrana in
Delhi to oppose the arrest of Shankracharya
Jayendra Sarswati in Shankar Raman murder case.
One also recalls the soft peddling of murder of chil-
dren in Asaram Bapus ashrams or other times
when influential politicians speak out of turn to pro-
tect these Babas.
The irony is that the rise of these babas is in
parallel with the rise of politics in the name of reli-
gion. Many a times there is a subtle and overt
association between these babas with the religio-
nationalist discourse, which they defend and prop-
agate. Many of them also talk about the values of
Manusmriti, the hierarchy of caste and gender in
sophisticated ways. At social levels, the present-
day babas are for status quo of social relationships,
like talking about caste harmony (Sri Sri
Ravishanker) in contrast to Ambedkars caste
annihilation.
One knows that a section of population treats
them like God and a section does need them to
allay their mental pressures and uncertainties. One
also knows that they have emerged due to the ris-
ing insecurities in the society due to the economic
and political factors. They all operate under the garb
of religion and faith so it becomes difficult to ques-
tion their methods. Such a garb of faith lifts them
above the ordinary and gives them some immuni-
ty from the laws of the land. The need for respect-
ing peoples faith and knowing its limits without
denigrating reason and law of the land was never
felt more desperately! (pluralindia.com)
Business of Faith
6 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 NATIONAL www.milligazette.com
[Unlike modern babas, earlier] saints shunned power-centres and many of them
had to face atrocities from those in power. Nizamuddin Auliya, a Sufi saint,
refused to entertain the king (Tughlaq) at his hospice. Kabir talked against caste
system, against the divisions in the name of religion and the social power
structure. They had followers mainly amongst the poor and deprived.
SALMAN SULTAN
Peaceful protest in front of law-making temple,
i.e., Vidhan Sabha (state assembly) by the Rihai
Manch completed 111 days on 9 September.
They are demanding justice for Khalid Mujahid
who was murdered in custody, release of the
Nimesh Commission report and justice to hun-
dreds of innocents languishing in jails for years
on trumped up terror charges. Activists and fam-
ilies of the terror victims have steadfastly been
holding their protest every single day during this
period but the state authorities showing no sign
of listening to them.
These peaceful protesters, registering their
anxiety against the inexplicable custodial death
of Khalid Mujahid, have been ignored, seduced
and threatened but they have stood their ground.
Mainstream media is not concerned as the cus-
todial death of an expendable second class citi-
zen is not worth paying attention. They are only
interested in splashing their valuable space with
news about exotic organizations and Muslim
sounding names after every incident of bomb
blast. They are quick to reach a conclusion beat-
ing even investigating agencies. Pinpointing
organizations for the blasts and that too within
minutes and hours makes one wonder as to why
with all this knowledge they couldnt stop the
incidence or at least reduce the damage of bomb
blasts. With such deep knowledge enjoyed by
some reporters vis--vis the mode of operation,
sleeper cells, materials procured etc, one may
not be wrong to suspect their collusion with
these so-called terrorist organisations.
In a government of the people, for the people,
by the people, one has a right to raise his voice
against atrocities, injustice and callous treatment
and a democratic government must be thankful to
peaceful protesters. However, it has been observed
that the government only wakes up when demon-
strators take to violence, burn and vandalise public
property and block roads as only after such inci-
dents the government
comes to the negotiat-
ing table. In this way,
government encour-
ages rowdy elements
and in fact encourages
them to violence. The
fourth pillar of democ-
racy, media, also high-
lights loot and arson
and recognises only the
criminal and con-
demnable acts of rogue
elements. This discour-
ages responsible citi-
zens who believe in
civilised forms of
protests: writing letters,
submitting memoranda,
staging dharna and organising peaceful proces-
sions. Government invariably ignores peaceful
protest hoping for its natural death with time and
stirs into action only when it takes an ugly form and
threatens to engulf a locality, state or even the
whole country. Why there is no anticipation for the
events to come and why government is prone to
listen to the language of threat and violence only?
A lot of painful situations can easily be anticipated
and controlled if government makes it a point to
attend to the grievances of common man who has
an apathy for slogan mongering, ill-mannered,
lathi or weapon wielding unruly mobs.
Government is hardly concerned with the civilised
voices of protest but quickly surrenders to the lan-
guage of violence. Most of rabble-rousing, venom-
spitting political or religious dignitaries are provided
police escorts, cajoled and even begged to refrain
from threatening law and order and asked with fold-
ed hands to cooperate with officials. This, in fact,
encourages these unscrupulous elements and dis-
courages law-abiding citizens and their peaceful
mode of protests. How the government is going to
maintain law and order by resorting to such con-
demnable practices?
Though the so-called mainstream media by-
and-large ignored this important protest in the
heart of the state capital, web portal www.mus-
limmirror.com reported when the Rihai Manch
completed 100 days of protest:
Lucknow, August 30: On the completion of
100 days of its indefinite sit-in seeking justice to
custodial death victim Khalid Mujahid, Rihai
Manch, the Forum for the Release of Innocent
Muslims imprisoned in the name of Terrorism,
marched towards the state assembly here on
Friday. Over a hundred people, many from the
victim families, from different parts of the state
took par t in the march. Mujahid, a terror
accused, died in a mysterious condition in police
custody on 18th May 2013. He was in jail since
December 2007. Though his arrest was found
as fake and illegal by the state-government
appointed RD Nimesh Commission, the
Samajwadi Party government of Akhilesh Yadav
neither accepted the report, nor released Khalid
and co-accused Hakim Tariq Qasmi, an
Azamgarh native who is still in jail.
Another web portal, www.twocircles.net
reported the initial threatening tactics of U.P. gov-
ernment in these words on 20 July 2013: UP
police razes Rihai Manchs tent at dharna site. Rihai
Manch has alleged that the UP police
razed the tent at the dharna site on
Thursday night. Rihai Manch is on
indefinite dharna outside the UP
Assembly since May 20 demanding
arrest of police officers involved in
Khalid Mujahids murder, releasing
the RD Nimesh commission report
and action taken report, and the
immediate release of innocent
Muslim youth imprisoned in the
name of terrorism. Magsasay award
winner Sandeep Pandey condemned
the UP police action and said that
such actions by UP government will
only strengthen the protesters resolve
to fight for justice.
Mr. Shoaib Ahmad Advocate,
who is fighting the case of Tariq
Qasmi and martyred Khalid Mujahid,
was lured into secret talks with the CM of U.P.
but he wisely declined the offer. According to our
information, no one from the government has
bothered to approach Rihai Manch to at least
understand the problem and make efforts to
meet their genuine demands. This will not only
encourage people to adopt violent means of
protest discarding the satyagrah style of protest
practiced by Gandhiji.
However, ambitions of ascending the Delhi
throne by seniors of the Party are probably com-
pelling the young and educated CM to make
compromises. It does not bode well for a party
which swears by the principles of socialist
Dr Ram Manohar Lohia.
If this peaceful protest by Rihai Manch is
continued to be ignored, the future course of the
protesters may lead them to violence.
There is another possibility if patience of
protestors is further tested. Their movement
could be highjacked by anti-social, anti-national
hot-heads. It is, therefore, wise to dab the
smouldering fire instead of waiting for it to turn
into an inferno.
Rihai Manch a centurion protest
Rihai Manch protest in front of the assembly building on completing the 100th day of protest on
28 August
NATIONAL The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 7 www.milligazette.com
N. A. ANSARI
New Delhi: It appears that the bane of communal riots and spread-
ing of communal hatred with impunity will take a turn for the
worse in coming days, weeks and months till the general elections
are held next year. Mischievous and hate-mongering elements of
Sangh outfits, e.g., BJP and particularly VHP, Bajrang Dal, ABVP
and the like who are active mainly in UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh,
Assam, Rajasthan etc where they are bent upon creating mischief
on some pretext or the other in order to polarise the voters and
garner Hindu votes.
It is well known that it is part of the BJPs election strategy, as
publicly stated by Subramanium Swamy who recently merged his
Janta Party (which had hadly any following in the country) with
the BJP, that the saffron party can win elections if votes of
Muslims are divided as much as possible and votes of Hindus are
consolidated to the maximum. This is possible when voters are
polarised on communal and religious lines which, in turn, is pos-
sible if more and more communal riots are manipulated and a
communal atmosphere is created in the country. Thats why com-
munal riots on flimsy grounds are taking place particularly in UP,
which sends maximum number of MPs to the Lok Sabha. The U.P.
state government is either incompetent in curbing these riots with
a firm hand or is adopting a lackadaisical attitude towards the
manipulators and perpetrators of violence hoping to gain in the
process.
Cases of attacking mosques, desecrating them and religious
books, throwing pieces of meat or carcasses of cow or pig near
or inside mosques and even in temples (which will give the
impression that Mulsims did it) beating up of madrasa students or
groups of Tablighi Jamat in trains and elsewhere are common
happenings these days and most probably such incidents will
increase unless drastic steps are taken to discourage these ele-
ments and also, only if police are warned to perform their duties
professionally because in most communal riots role of police is
biased against Muslims as the police either supports the rioters or
stands as a bystander while murder, rape and arson takes places.
During the last week of August and the first week of
September umpteen major and minor communal riots and cases
of communal violence and tension took place in Muzaffarnagar,
Meerut, Qannauj, Khatauli, Pratapgarh districts Dalip Pur in UP,
Gurgaon and Rewadi in Haryana, in Assams Silchar town,
Motihari (Bihar) etc. In Muzaffarnagar, one Shahnawaz allegedly
passed some remarks on a girl. Two of her brothers took the dar-
ing step of reaching Shahnawazs house and stabbing him which
ultimately led to his death. While the girls brothers Gaurav and
Sachin were returning after stabbing Shahnawaz, the latters fam-
ily members and neighbours caught hold of them and beat them
to death which lead to a large-scale communal riots which are still
continuing as MG goes to press. At least 29 were killed, hundred
injured and tens of thousands of Muslims fled their villages to
safer places. All this while the police
and army stood as bystanders while
rioters went around specially during
night time to kill and burn. Fake
video clips and bulk smses were
used to inflame passions and incite
Hindu mobs. This has led to a call of
the dismissal of the U.P. state gov-
ernment which has clearly failed in
its duty to keep law and order and
restrain communal elements espe-
cially BJP and VHP cadres.
Earlier, an elderly person who
was going to offer namaz in a
mosque was shot dead in Khataulis
Bhinsi village in Muzaffarnagar.
Some other such incidents created
communal tension in this district. In
Pratapgarh districts Dalip Pur Bazar
communal clashes took place
between two groups of people on 26 August and in the minor riots
that followed, a BJP leader and 26 others were booked while
cases were registered against 90 unknown persons. No loss of
life was, however, reported.
Minor communal clashes also took place in Muzaffarnagars
Shoram village, Jansath, Khatauli, Kawal and other places. As
riots spread to more areas, the number of deaths in this district
alone crossed 30 and shoot at sight orders were issued.
Fresh riots erupted in Meerut, Shamli, Baghpat etc. In
Meeruts Nauchandi Thana area minor riots and communal clash-
es took place which were soon brought under control. In UPs
Basti town, BJP firebrand MP Yogi Aditya Naths Hindu Yuva Vahini
activists stopped Shaheed Express train and indulged in stone-
pelting on passengers when the Yogi, who was planning to organ-
ise Rashtra Raksha rally, was stopped by police from organising
his rally. As many as 75 persons were arrested in this connection.
At many places, goons of VHP, Bajrang Dal etc entered mosques
and beat up Imams and desecrated Quran copies and other reli-
gious books. They also picked up quarrels with people of Tablighi
Jamat in trains and on streets. In one instance, four or five stu-
dents of Darul Uloom Deoband were beaten up in a train near
Khatauli (Muzaffarnagar), triggering communal tension. In a cou-
ple of cases, some madrasa students were not only beaten up in
train but also thrown out of the train.
In Gurgaon, where part of some 3 acres of land in Palam Vihar
was being used by Muslims as an open-air mosque for more than
10 years, Hindu Samaj Sangharsh Samiti planned Bharat Mata
Jagran leading to communal clash and tension. Muslims claimed
it was a Waqf land and said that the dispute about this land was
between Haryana Waqf Board and Haryana Urban Development
Authority (HUDA) and there was no justification for Hindu Samaj
Sangharsh Samiti to poke its nose in the matter. In yet another
incident of communal clash at the nearby Pataudi, about 15 trucks
carrying stray cows were held up by a mob which, suspecting
that these cows were being taken for slaughter, set fire to all the
trucks and many other vehicles. The cows in those trucks were in
fact being sent from Chandigarh to goshalas in Vrindavan or some
other place in UP by Chandigarh administration to be kept there
safely. There were official documents proving this and some
employees of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation were escorting
the convoy of the trucks. The crowd was shown these documents
but it went ahead to set all the trucks on fire after freeing the
cows. This again created great communal tension and police reg-
istered cases against around 700 unknown persons.
In Rongpur located in Assams Silchar town, meat and parts
of animal were found thrown into three temples after which com-
munal riots erupted there on 25 August. About 30 persons includ-
ing around eight policemen were injured in these clashes and
police firing. Assams chief minister Tarun Gogoi in a press con-
ference squarely blamed VHP for the meat incident in temples and
for the communal riots that erupted as a result. He said that BJP
along with VHP is trying to fan communal riots so as to derive
political mileage in the coming elections.
In short, communal elements, particularly VHP and Bajrang
Dal activists, are in most cases responsible for creating tension,
clashes and riots. Role of police is questionable and biased
against Muslims in many cases. Whenever communal riots and
tensions take place anywhere, fear grips Muslims because they
are not only the victims and sufferers in almost all cases but the
wrath of police also befalls on them. It is, therefore, essential that
the Communal Violence Bill is not only passed by Parliament at
the earliest but also strictly implemented in letter and spirit to keep
the saffron goons on leash.
Communal riots remain a recurring feature
On 27 June 2013, Times of India, New Delhi edition, published a brief
news saying that Haryana state is going to drop Urdu and Persian
terms used in the police department and judiciary. However, a detailed
report appeared on TOI website same day which is as follows:
Haryana cops to drop Persian, Urdu words from FIRs
Persian, Urdu words and phrases have been in use in Haryana since
the pre-Independence period when it was a part of the undivided
Punjab.
Karnal: In an effort to simplify Daily Diary Reports and First
Information Reports for the common man, Haryana police has decid-
ed to do away with archaic and difficult words and phrases from the
Persian and Urdu languages.
These words and phrases have been in use in Haryana since the
pre-Independence period when it was a part of the undivided Punjab.
Words like muddayi (complainant), muddala (accused), tameel
(execution), aala-e-qatal (murder weapon), taftish (investigation),
daryaft (plea), hasab jabta (as per law), missal (file), tarmeem
(amendment) and ishtgassa (petition), to name a few, baffle the com-
plainants when they are handed their copy of the FIR.
Additional director general of police Layak Ram Dabas, who is the
head of the state crime records bureau, said the department has ini-
tiated the move to incorporate simple Hindi words in the complaints.
He said, The practice of using Persian and Urdu words in the police
complaints was common, despite instructions from the then DGP in
2005 to discontinue the usage of such perplexing terms. The state
police chief had recommended the use of Hindi for writing com-
plaints, filing investigation and research reports.
Even the courts in various districts of Haryana have repeatedly
asked the police to use Hindi words and phrases, but the munshis
(readers) who write the reports have not changed their style of work.
The young readers tend to follow their senior colleagues in filing the
reports, say senior Haryana police officials.
Dabas said the department held a special camp for more than
300 munshis who were trained in writing reports. The officer said
around 350 such words being used while registering the police com-
plaints have been replaced now. He said all munshis working in the
police stations would now be required to undergo the training pro-
gramme aimed at sensitizing them about use of Hindi words in their
paperwork.
After the successful completion of training of munshis, the sen-
ior officials at each police station would be asked to ensure that the
usage of Persian and Urdu words was stopped, failing which action
would be taken against them, Dabas said.
Rajinder Singh, a sub-munshi at a Karnal police station, said the
practice of using Persian and Urdu words passed on from seniors to
new employees and it still continues.
Now that the department has finally decided to get rid of these
words, it would not only enable the commoners to understand the
contents of their complaints but also facilitate the working of police,
he said. (Anita Singh, TNN, Jun 27, 2013)
Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan, MG editor, left the following comment on
the website:
baffle the complainants when they are handed their copy of the
FIR -- if this is the reason why Urdu and Persian words are to be
dropped and most possibly more difficult Sanskrit words are to be
introduced as is the norm in official Hindi, then English should also
be dropped from our courts and similarly hand-written Hindi FIRS
and other police reports should also be discarded as these too baf-
fle the common man. The hand-written reports are confusing and
lead to various interpretations.
Haryana cops to drop Persian, Urdu words
Hyderabad: Persian language for the first time paved the way for
secular and mass education in India, historian and scholar
Ziauddin Ahmed Shakeeb said here in a lecture delivered on
26 February this year. According to him, until the British rule was
enforced, education in India was restricted to Brahmins only.
Aside from Muslims, no other Indian of a caste lower than
Brahmins had access to literacy. In such a situation, Persian
offered itself as a language open to one and all, he said while
explaining why Persian and not an Indian language was used as
an official language in India.
The former professor of Urdu and the history of Indo-Islamic
art and culture at the School of Oriental and African Studies,
London, was delivering key-note address at an international sem-
inar on Persian organized at Maulana Azad National Urdu
University (MANUU) here.
Speakers from India, Iran and other countries are attending the
three-day seminar on The contribution of Adil Shahis of Deccan
in promotion of Persian language, literature and culture organized
by the H. K. Sherwani Centre for Deccan Studies of MANUU in col-
laboration with Iranian consulate in Hyderabad.
Eminent art collector and historian Jagdish Mittal made a
presentation to highlight the contribution of Bijapur painting during
the period of Adil Shahis.
Shakeeb noted after shifting of capital from Delhi to the
Deccan in 14th century, the Perso-Islamic culture by the end of
15th century was not in its pristine Iranian form as it had already
assimilated a good deal of Indian influence linguistically and cul-
turally.
In almost a century and a half of Bahmani rule in the Deccan
there had been a huge influx of sufis, poets, scholars who wrote
in Persian language, administrators, architects, painters, calligra-
phers and other sections of the Delhi elite, he said while observ-
ing that it was a beginning of a major change in the administrative
system in the Deccan.
Bijapur was a multilingual state with Kannada and Marathi as
major languages but the official language was Persian not only at
the court but throughout the state administration.
Out of two centuries of Adil Shahi reign in Bijapur, a hundred
years each were covered by Shia and Sunni rulers.
During the reign of Shias, Iranians known as afaqis dominat-
ed the court and naturally, Persian language and literature flour-
ished. During the reign of Sunni sultans, local Deccanis and other
native sections prospered which resulted in a wonderful linguistic
phenomenon known as Deccani, Shakeeb explained.
Army jawans ready in Muzaffarnagar but no sign of firing on the rioting mobs
Persian paved way for secular, mass
education in India: Historian
MUSTAFA KHAN
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh warned the
nation on Independence Day, 15 August, 2013,
that the greatest danger to the country was from
communalism. The people of the country hard-
ly noted this warning as they are so much used
to matters like endemic corruption and the
scourge of rape. Given this ambience, they
could hardly think that the PM did not give a
quotidian speech. But in essence that was not.
The prime minister was aware of the geno-
cide of Muslims in 2002, the fake encounters
that followed and the use of religion-based poli-
tics that the BJP has been playing these past
three decades in an alarming manner. In direct
opposition to him was the politics that Amit
Shah and Narendra Modi were playing in their
attempt to eclipse their genocidal crimes as well
as their involvement in the planned fake encoun-
ters. Thus a parallel system was at work. That
is, the Hindutva juggernaut with its hidden agen-
da that included targeting Muslims as terror-
ists and the rest who found that unpalatable.
The former believed them to be patriotic to the
tune of their roguery as the last resort of patri-
otism.
DG Vanzara, the high profile police officer in
Gujarat, called it deshbhakti, love and devotion to
the country.
For many years, people of India had heard of
the Hindutva experiment being made in Gujarat
laboratory. They were also aware of the continu-
ous threats of replicating that experiment all over
the country by Ashok Singhal of Vishwa Hindu
Parishad. Now early signs are coming that that
experiment is tottering. It was brought about by
the transfer of the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake
encounter case from Gujarat to Maharashtra in
order to facilitate the Hindutva higher ups to let
another stalwart of its garrison fight the battle for
Hindu rashtra. Narendra Modi alone could not
handle all the fronts.
In this the most crucial role was played by
Ram Jethmalani who saw that Amit Shah not
only gets bail but also allowed to canvas in elec-
tions that took place in Gujarat and continue to
fight for the upcoming 2014 election under his
supervision in the biggest state of India, UP. This
is the state which has Babri mosque demolished
and a Ram temple coming up although in much
staggered steps.
The Hindutva horde not only executed the
pogroms and defended the accused in the mur-
der, arson and loot, they also had ace lawyers
and loyal public prosecutors especially inducted
to manipulate the system and save the criminals
who committed the genocide.
Even the additional advocate general of the
state of Gujarat, Tushar Mehta, instead of
defending the victims would pass relevant infor-
mation of the victims to the Hindutva ideologue S
Gurumurthy to ferry out points to prepare the
defence of the accused in the genocide in the
courts. But Additional Director General of police DG Vanzara was
the first line of defense. He says in his latest letter sent out from
jail:
I, along with my officers, stood beside this government
like a bulwark whenever it faced an existential crisis in the past.
When I, along with my officers, have been facing a similar crisis
in my/our life/lives, it was expected of this government to recipro-
cate and firmly stand beside me and my officers with a similar
vigour and determination, which to my utter shock and surprise,
could not happen.
The existential threats came first from the man who was the
prime minister of the country. AB Vajpayee wanted Modi removed
but he succumbed to the pressure of the Hindutva core groups of
supporters of the genocide and its architect, Modi. He exhorted
the chief minister to do his rajdharma. Modi said he had complied
with it. But Vanzara followed another path shown by another reli-
gious divine, Guru Gobind Singh. When his own existence was in
danger, Vanzara took a leaf from the scripture of another religion:
Hence the only way for me and my officers is to adopt the
path of Dharma as defined by Shri Guru Govind Singh, the tenth
Divine Lord of Sikhs, who ordained to his disciples, when all the
ways and doors for getting justice are exhausted and closed, it is
just (Dharma) to draw the sword.
Thus Gujarat showed two different meanings of Dharma used
by two sons of the soil. Had the constitutional law of the land pre-
vailed, there would have been a secular law in which homicide is
a crime punished with death. But both the sons played the same
tune through different pipes as the modern-day Nero was fiddling
thanks to the subversion of justice.
It is quite clear that the pogroms of Muslims and the fake
encounters in which mostly Muslims were killed followed a pat-
tern. The innocent Muslims were blamed for the fire accident and
the pre-planned pogroms were let loose. According to Vanzara, it
was the conscious policy of this government which was inspir-
ing, guiding, and monitoring our actions from very close quar-
ters. He cannot afford to apply this only to the fake encounters
for which he was arrested. It applies more to the murder and may-
hem in Naroda Patia where nearly 800 Muslims were herded into
a dry well, petrol from above was poured on them and they were
burnt alive. They were in such large a number that the commis-
sioner of police PC Pande ordered that the dead bodies should be
scattered all over the city of Ahmadabad to lessen the enormity of
the pogrom. Pravin Togadia was sitting in the hospital of VHP boss
of the city Jaideep Patel, a doctor by profession, monitoring the
situation as Maya Kodnani, minister of children and women
health, was inciting the crowds of Hindus to kill, rape and burn
Muslims. When the killings subsided for the day in late evening,
Modi went on a watch tour of the areas. He blessed the women of
Chharra community for having produced brave men to have han-
dled the job. According to the most notorious murderer in Gujarat
at the time, Babu Bajrangi, Modi had visited the sites to shore up
the zeal of the marauders so that they would do the same job next
day and the day after. Modi had put his police force on leash for
three days to enable his Hindutva goons commit the pogroms
unhindered.
A neutral court in India would like to see the pogroms and fake
encounters as two sides of the same coin which they are. Natural
justice demands and the failing courts have stigmatized India for
the sorry past.
There is such a dimension of the events in Gujarat under Modi
that only a full-fledged commission of inquiry of international
repute could unearth the abysmal depth of horror and how it was
covered up not just by Modi administration but that of Vajpayee at
the Centre. What Amit Shah did at state level, LK Advani with tacit
acquiescence of the Prime Minister did in the central government,
issuing clean chits to Modi and other Hindutva outlaws. This
includes Vanzaras own hospitality to the Hindu marauders who
were arrested but he treated them to the delicious food in a gov-
ernment guest house meant for class one officers and then in the
evening he let the killers go home without registering cases of
crimes of genocide against any of them! Modi himself phoned
Babu Bajrangi to surrender to police after hiding him from law in
the Mount Abu Gujarat government guest house. He saw to it that
the petition of the Ehsan Jafaris widow Zakia Jafri was not enter-
tained and when the court accepted it, his SIT issued another
clean chit to him.
(1)
It is sinister on the part of Vanzara to forget that
the highest number of police officers in the pogrom-
affected parts of the state were those very officers
like himself and his immediate boss PP Pandey who
were fully involved in the pogroms of Muslims and
the protection of the accused killers and rapists. The
same were also active in the fake encounters. It is
his shrewd nature to defend those very officers for
the crimes of fake encounter and much more griev-
ous crimes of genocide. Modis crime was that he
awarded all those officers in the genocide cases
who toed the government line and punished those
who opposed his state policy of teaching Muslims a
lesson. So how could Modis trusted lieutenant
Vanzara claim now:
The most notable part of the whole episode is
that they are made to suffer in the jails, inspite of the
fact that they had been and are loyal soldiers of this
government who fought incessant war against
Pakistan-inspired terrorism with complete honesty,
integrity and sincerity without falling prey to any of
the mundane temptations.
It is worth quoting here at length what RB
Sreekumar says in his open letter to Modi published
on 17 September, 2011:
4/ Those, who got rewards for their alleged
deviant services to you, include officers who were
given extension in service, good postings and post-
retirement lucrative assignments. They are persons
like (1) Shri G.Subbarao, (2) Shri Ashok Narayanan,
(3) Dr. P.K.Mishra, (4) Shri P.K.Laheri, (5) Shri Sudhir
Mankad, (6) Smt. Manjula Subramaniaman, (7) Shri
K.C.Kapoor - all IAS officers and (8) Shri
A.K.Bhargava, (9) Shri P.C.Pande, (10) Shri
G.C.Raiger, (11) Shri M.K.Tandon, (12) Shri Deepak
Swaroop, (13) Shri K.Nityanandam, (14) Shri
A.K.Sharma, (15) Shri Shivanad Jha, (16) Shri
Sudhir Sinha, (17) Shri D.G.Vanzara, (18) Shri
S.S.Khandwawala, (19) Shri J.Mahapatra, (20) Shri
O.P.Mathur, (21) Shri A.A.Saiyed, (22) Shri
P.P.Pandey, (23) Shri Ashish Bhatia - all IPS officers,
etc. Their specific alleged culpable role was graphi-
cally narrated in my VIth Affidavit to the Justice
Nanavati Commission.
5/- As you know, among the govt. officials who
were victims of unwarranted punishments by your
govt., myself lead the list. Ever since I presented
facts about riots falsifying the state govt. version
to the Central Election Commission on 9 August,
2002, I was issued with memos on trivial matters
like Control Room Head Constable sending a secret
message by fax to field officers, without my knowl-
edge, by ACS (Home) Sh.Ashok Narayanan. Further
the Govt. started an inquiry against me for writing to
CP Ahmedabad Sh.K.R.Kaushik, about the alleged
planting of weapons (fire arms) by DIG Shri
D.G.Vanzara, the then i/c of Ahmedabad City Crime
Branch on a few Muslims of Dariapur on 2002
Rathyatra day. You may please note that this was the
only adverse report about alleged illegal acts of
Vanzara in Gujarat Police records before his arrest
for alleged fake encounter in April, 2007. Instead of
probing into my information about ShriVanzara, the
Chief Secretary started an inquiry against me for
punishing me, even though the then DGP Sh.K.Chakravarthi
reported that my act of reporting against Shri Vanzara was part of
my normal duties and so could not be treated as misconduct. Sir,
had you checked ShriVanzara and monitored his work, accepting
my report, he would not have indulged in alleged extra-judicial
killings of innocent people. Now these cases have brought bad
name for your administration and Gujarat Police. This was an
instance of saving a thief (chor) and punishing the policeman (kot-
wal), who pointed a finger at the thief.
(2)
The penchant of Modi and Vanzara was the pet idea of blaming
Pakistan even when there is no incident involving that country, even
fighting election in Gujarat became a clash between Mian Musharaf
and Modi. The hard fact is that Pakistan did not have time to wash its
dirty linen in Gujarat politics. So how could those who allegedly came
to Gujarat to be killed in fake encounters be at the behest of Pakistan
or inspired by ISI? The four cases Vanzara mentions in his letter of
resigning from the post of additional director general of police in
protest are that of Ishrat Jahan and three others, Sohrabuddin, his wife
Kauserbi and friend Tulsiram Prajapati, and Sadiq Jamal Mahtar.
These were not just fake encounters but acts of real terrorism. If
Italian extremists kidnap former Prime Minister Aldo Moro and kill him
and this is recognized as an act of terrorism, India must also learn that
falsely accusing innocent people and killing them was also terrorism.
There are more skeletons likely to fall from the cupboard of Modi.
A senior police officer, Sanjiv Bhatt, has expressed his appre-
hension that Modi may be behind the murder of Haren Pandya for
which eleven innocent Muslims had to languish in prison for more
than six years.
Therefore, the experiment that Modi and Vanzara along with
other government and police officers made in the Gujarat labora-
tory of Hindutva was of far more serious and dangerous nature
than people are willing to accept. Vanzaras letter of resignation on
Tuesday, 3 September 2013, is an early straw in the wind.
The experiment in the laboratory may have been interrupted
but it would resume nevertheless.
Footnotes
(1) Tehelka, 3 November 2007.
(2) Countercurrents.com, 17 September 2011.
Hindutva lab falls along with lab assistant
For many years, people of India had heard of the Hindutva
experiment being made in Gujarat laboratory. They were also
aware of the continuous threats of replicating that experiment all
over the country by Ashok Singhal of Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Now
early signs are coming that that experiment is tottering. It was
brought about by the transfer of the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake
encounter case from Gujarat to Maharashtra in order to facilitate
the Hindutva higher ups to let another stalwart of its garrison fight
the battle for Hindu rashtra. Narendra Modi alone could not handle
all the fronts.
8 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 NATIONAL www.milligazette.com
Slamming Modi and Amit Shah, Vanzara quits IPS
Ahmedabad: Gujarat IPS officer D G Vanzara, suspended
and behind the bars in a string of fake encounter cases,
resigned from service on 3 September accusing Narendra
Modi government of having failed to protect the jailed police
officers who fought against Pakistan inspired terrorism.
Vanzara, a 1987 batch IPS officer considered close to Mr
Modi, said in his resignation letter that police officers
involved in alleged fake encounters simply implemented
the conscious policy of the government whose place
should either be in Taloja central prison at Navi Mumbai or
in Sabarmati Central Prison at Ahmedabad.
Mr Vanzara, lodged in Sabarmati central jail, in a 10-
page hard-hitting resignation letter to Additional Chief
Secretary of the states Home department, has accused the
state government, particularly former Minister of State for Home Amit Shah of betraying him and 32
other officers, in jail in encounter killing cases being probed by the CBI.
He said he used to adore Mr Modi like God, who could not rise to the occasion under the evil
influence of Mr Shah, a co-accused in Sohrabuddin Sheikh and Tulsiram Prajapati encounter cases.
Holding Modi government responsible for his and other police officers actions, Mr Vanzara said
they had only complied with the policy of the Gujarat government.
I would like to categorically state in the most unequivocal words that the officers and men of
Crime Branch, ATS and Border Range, during the period between 2002 to 2007, simply acted and
performed their duty in compliance of the conscious pro-active policy of zero tolerance towards ter-
rorism of this government after Godhra riots, he said.
Gujarat CID and Central agency CBI had arrested me and my officers in different encounter
cases holding us to be responsible for carrying out alleged fake encounters. If that is true then the
CBI investigating officers have to arrest the policy formulators also as we, being field officers, have
simply implemented the conscious policy of this government which was inspiring, guiding and mon-
itoring our actions from the very close quarters, Mr Vanzara said. By this reasoning I am of the
firm opinion that the place of this government instead of being in Gandhinagar, should either be in
Taloja central prison at Navi Mumbai or in Sabarmati Central Prison at Ahmedabad, he said, in his
letter dated 1 September. The Gujarat government, however, has rejected Vanzaras resignation.
NATIONAL The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 9 www.milligazette.com
Jamaat calls for real economic reforms,
hails food security act and voices concern
over the events of Syria and Egypt
New Delhi: The phenomenon of the current depreciation of rupee
vis--vis foreign currencies is a symptom of a bigger disease. The
sharp fall in the exchange rate of the rupee shows that Indian
economy is in turmoil and it is so perceived internationally. This
brings to light the hollowness of our claim that we are destined to
become one of the largest and sturdiest economies in the near
future, said, Ameer (President) of the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind,
Maulana Syed Jalaluddin Umari, while addressing a press confer-
ence here on 7 September. He said, The symptom has to be
addressed immediately but that would be a short term solution as
the ills of economy will continue to recur in one form or another.
A long term solution is to diagnose correctly the disease and opt
for its complete cure, whatever time consuming or painful be that
therapy. The basic cause of any depreciation of money is Current
Account Deficit (CAD) where growth of import is faster than that
of export. The simple solution is to curb imports and increase
exports. And for increasing exports, the creation of quality prod-
ucts and services and their facilitation is required. The steady
increase in imports is related to the economic reforms brought in
1991 when the current prime minister was the finance minister.
Imports were facilitated and grew leaps and bounds while produc-
tivity and exports were ignored and the consequences of this pol-
icy followed and are felt now. A correction was done by announc-
ing Manufacturing Policy, 2010, which was, for all practical pur-
poses, a non-starter. The major share of import billing comprises
of crude oil, followed by items like gold, iron ore and coal. We are
facing a problem in paying our oil bills in US dollars. Import of
gold, a non-essential item, can be totally avoided. Import of coal
and iron ore which we have in abundance in reserve is a matter of
national shame. Our failure to build more refineries and process-
ing arrangements for improving these raw materials to the stage
where these can be utilised as inputs is the major cause of these
imports. Further, courts have curbed their export, obviously owing
to alleged cases of corruptions, Maulana Umari said.
Giving remedies for the pathetic situation of the current econ-
omy, the President of the Jamaat said, Structural corrections of
economy are required. The solution lies in the fundamental
approach suggested by Islam and the world should consider the
alternative system of economy which Islam presents. Capital
must be brought in on the basis of equity and not as a debt. The
debt should always be at par. Islamic approach is asset-based
equity finance as against the debt-based finance. Islam leaves no
scope for hegemony, like that of the US dollar which gets undue
benefits in international financial transactions.
Communal Violence Bill: Speaking on the stalled communal vio-
lence bill, Maulana Umari said, As the parliamentary elections of
2014, and assembly elections of some states are drawing near, it
appears that organised efforts are being made, particularly in
some states, to promote communal tensions and provoke com-
munal conflicts. During the last one year over 50 communal riots
have taken place in Uttar Pradesh alone. In this way the fire of
communalism is being stoked while the government is not taking
action against the perpetrators. The situation in fraught with grave
danger and would weaken the country.
Demanding to eradicate communalism from the society,
Maulana Umari said, it is imperative that the central and states
governments must deal with an iron hand every incident of com-
munal violence to maintain a peaceful atmosphere in the country.
In this regard we repeat our demand that the Central government
must present the Communal Violence Bill and get it passed in the
Parliament, so that the minorities are freed from the sense of fear
and insecurity and are able to equally participate in the progress
of the country. Providing security to minorities and putting an end
to communal riots would be the proof of the strength of democra-
cy, he said.
Commenting on the killing of Muslim youths in fake encoun-
ters, the President of the Jamaat said, it is worth remembering
that first, the communal elements targeted Muslim youths in fake
encounters calling them terrorists. After investigation, the fact has
become clear that a nexus between police and communal ele-
ments was responsible for the fake encounters. The truth behind
the murders of Sohrabuddin, Kausarbi, Ishrat Jahan, Sadiq Jamal
etc in fake encounters is now out and the world knows how these
murders were planned and executed by high-ranking police offi-
cers. The world also knows how youths like Khalid Mujahid were
implicated in false cases and killed in custody. The fresh revela-
tions by suspended IPS officer D.G. Vanzara have laid bare con-
spiracies behind these crimes. It is unfortunate that such actions
which tarnish the image of Muslims are continuing.
Food Security: The Jamaat chief said about the food security bill,
We welcome the Food Security Act. It establishes a sense of
responsibility on behalf of the government to recognize the right to
food of its citizens. This is a very progressive step. The UPA gov-
ernment, under the pressure of civil society has finally granted
rights to people in different areas like the right to information (RTI),
right to free and compulsory education (RTE), right to work
(MNREGA) etc. The Jamaat leader further said, the food securi-
ty law lacks some basic things as it covers only 67 percent of the
countrys population: 75% in the rural areas and 55% in the urban
areas. This is not sufficient. This will create problems in identify-
ing the priority households. Therefore, the Government must
accept the demands of a universal PDS and to improve and make
more effective the existing PDS.
Syria: Speaking about the American threat to attack Syria, the
Jamaat chief said, In Syria the authoritarian regime of Bashar Al
Assad is engaged in the massacre of its own people for the last
two and half years. More than 100,000 people have lost their lives
and over two million have been rendered homeless and forced to
live as refugees. After the recent use of chemical weapons in
which more than 1300 people, mostly children, were killed, the
American government is poised to attack Syria. Murders, use of
chemical weapons or use of any type of weapons for committing
atrocities against people are all condemnable but the American
attack will only enhance the deterioration of the situation.
Therefore the Jamaat is of the view that America should not inter-
vene. There is a strong apprehension that America wants to attack
Syria to help its ally Israel and to protect Israeli interests. The
American attack may complicate the situation and involvement of
Russia and other countries may give way to a regional war which
will be disastrous for the Middle East and lead to economic desta-
bilisation in the world on a large scale. America should examine
its track record that because of its intervention Iraq and
Afghanistan have become victims of permanent instability and are
witnessing daily bomb blasts and killings. The American role has
been not only tainted but also shameful, Maulana Umari said.
Appealing to Muslim countries, Maulana Umari said, they
have a big responsibility. They must protects Islamic democratic
values in their lands and unite to oppose every act of injustice and
tyranny.
Expressing grave concern over the dismissal of the popu-
lar and democratic government of Egypt and the unjust actions
of the military government, Maulana Umari said, an emer-
gency has been imposed on Egypt and arrests of office-bear-
ers and members of Muslim Brotherhood and tor ture and
atrocities are continuing. The government is even thinking
about imposing a ban on the Brotherhood. The military govern-
ment is responsible for the unjustified deaths of thousands of
men, women and children. It is highly shameful that some
Muslim rulers and their governments are suppor ting these
atrocities and dubbing the peaceful demonstrators as rebels
and terrorists. It is evident that they are doing so either at the
behest of America or just to protect their own power and
authority. It is the responsibility of all right thinking Muslims
and well-wishers of the Ummah and their governments to stop
the bloodshed and tor ture of the innocents and put an end to
all undemocratic methods and strive for restoration of demo-
cratic rule in Egypt.
It is imperative that the central and
states governments must deal with
an iron hand every incident of com-
munal violence to maintain a peace-
ful atmosphere in the country. In this
regard we repeat our demand that the
Central government must present the
Communal Violence Bill and get it
passed in the Parliament, so that the
minorities are freed from the sense of
fear and insecurity and are able to
equally participate in the progress of
the country. Providing security to
minorities and putting an end to com-
munal riots would be the proof of the
strength of democracy ...
New Delhi: Egypt Solidarity Day was held here
on 30 August by Popular Front of India and civil
society organizations as a day of support to the
Egyptian peoples struggle for democracy.
People from various parts of Delhi lined up to
form a human chain expressing their solidarity to
pro-democracy movement in Egypt and rejection
of the putchist government there. This day was
observed nationwide by Popular Front as in other
Indian cities too such demonstrations were held.
The programme was inaugurated by Popular
Front Chairman KM Shareef who said that when
two years ago the Arab Spring started, the world
hoped for a transformation of Egypt which was
to inspire the entire Middle East. The change in
Egypt led to the election of Dr Mohammad
Morsy as the first democratically elected ruler in
the history of Egypt and the Arab World. Soon
after his election, conspiracies started against
the Egyptian democracy by enemies both within
and without. America, Israel and Arab dictators
all helped the Egyptian army to unseat the elect-
ed government through a military coup which
became very much clear from later events. Will
this coup result only in transferring power from
Dr Morsy to General Al-Sisi? No, this coup will
take Egypt back to same dark days of Mubarak
from which Egyptians had been struggling to
free themselves. State-controlled Egyptian
media created favourable ground for the coup
portraying the pro-democracy activists as ter-
rorists. Arab dictators and elites feel threatened
by peoples cry for democracy because once
people are empowered, none of these dictators
will remain in power any more. The Egyptian
army committed inhuman crimes, thousands
were mercilessly killed, women and children
were gunned down for supporting democracy.
But the Egyptian peoples spirit will never die.
The blood they shed will not go in vain. The
struggle will continue until democracy is
absolutely restored.
Todays demonstration was in support of
democracy everywhere in the world. With such
protests, people of India express their solidarity
with the people of Egypt in their fight for their
birth right.
Popular Front Vice chairman, Prof. P Koya, for-
mer chairman Mr EM Abdurrahiman, General
Secretary OMA Salam, veteran Journalist
Mohammad Ahmed Kazmi, All India Imams
Council National Presisdent Maulana Usman Baig
and hundreds of people including religious, political
and social leaders, human rights activists partici-
pated in the programme. A large number of women
also participated in the demonstration held at the
Jantar Mantar here. The protesters carried plac-
ards and raised slogans demanding the reinstate-
ment of Dr Morsi and asking the army to go back
to the barracks.
Demo in support of Democracy in Egypt
AFSANA RASHID, SRINAGAR
Internationally acclaimed music conductor, Zubin Mehtas
Ehsaas-e-Kashmir (The feeling of Kashmir) concert organized
by the German Embassy, stirred a major controversy here, with
separatists and civil society groups opposing it. At least 1500
guests, including VIPs, attended the concert that was organized at
Srinagars picturesque Shalimar Bagh on the banks of world-
famous Dal Lake, September 7.
A shutdown was observed across the Valley, September 7, in
response to a call by Hurriyat (G) led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani,
against the concert. Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society
(JKCCS), a local human rights group, organized a parallel event
Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir on the same day at Sher-e-Kashmir park
here, about 10 kilometres from the venue of the concert.
State government, September 6 evening, gave its go-ahead
for the parallel event with few riders. The government reportedly
warned organizers that they would be held responsible for any
untoward incident and instead of 12 noon, they asked organizers
to conduct the event from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
JKCCS, September 4, formally invited the German
Ambassador, Michael Steiner to attend their event, after he had
expressed his willingness to do so. The parallel event featured
music, poems, paintings, performance arts and photographs.
Khurram Parvez, JKCCS programme coordinator, September 5,
termed Ehsaas-e-Kashmir as a deeply political event for a polit-
ical purpose.
Earlier, the group, August 27, wrote a letter of protest to the
German Ambassador stating that Germany must acknowledge the
disputed nature of the state, and recognize the pain and legiti-
mate political and legal struggle of its people.
Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, August 26, sug-
gested that Germany construct a special hospital in Kashmir
instead of a music concert. Geelani, August 24, said any sort of
international activity, be it political, diplomatic, cultural or sports
will have an adverse impact on the disputed nature of state.
Geelani, September 5, termed the concert a senseless attempt
and propaganda tool to divert attention from the human rights sit-
uation in Kashmir. Jamaat-e-Islami, August 27, appealed to the
German government to spend the money on welfare projects in
Kashmir where over one lakh children have been orphaned and
thousands of women widowed.
Since Kashmir is a disputed area, the holding of such a con-
cert would definitely send a wrong signal to the outside world.
Instead it is better to support education and healthcare in the
state, said the Grand Mufti, Bashir-ud-Din, August 27.
Dukhtaran-e-Milat chief Syed Aasiya Andrabi, addressing the
media September 5, asked people residing in and around Shalimar
to use the Public Address System and play patriotic numbers and
raise anti-India slogans during the concert.
German Ambassador however, asserted that the concert was
purely a cultural event and completely apolitical. Chief Minister
Omar Abdullah, September 2, said that the concert wont affect
the Kashmir issue. If a musician can change the nature of the
Kashmir issue, then it wont remain an issue anymore. Such
things shouldnt be linked with politics.
Konan Poshpora probe ordered
State Human Rights Commission has ordered an independent and
impartial investigation into Kunan-Poshpora mass rape wherein
over 40 women were allegedly raped by Armys 4 Rajputana
Riffles of 68 Brigade in north Kashmirs Kupwara district, during
the intervening night of February 23 and 24 in 1991.
The Commission has sought factual reports into these allega-
tions from the Director General of Police and Deputy
Commissioner Kupwara. Commissions division bench, August
26, said that the complaint number SHRC 125/2012 has, so far,
earned 12 adjournments, without any progress. Under such cir-
cumstances, the Commission observes that there remains no
option and directed an independent and impartial investigation.
State government had closed the investigations as untraced
but the Commission, in 2011, directed it to re-open the case and
recommended Rs 2 lakh compensation for each victim. An FIR
under section 376, 452 and 342 has been lodged at Trehgam
police station against the Army.
Hurriyat (G) led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, August 27, reiterat-
ed its demand for impartial investigation into the case. It urged the
United Nations to initiate investigation through its War Crimes
Tribunal (WCT) and help declare perpetrators as war criminals.
Protest by families of the Disappeared
Emotional scenes filled the entire environment with a pall of gloom
and distress, during a sit-in organized here by the Association of
Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), as the victims families
narrated their ordeals, on the eve of International Day of the
Disappeared observed across the world, August 30.
Relatives of the disappeared persons, who had assembled at
Pratap Park, emphasized that it was their right to know the where-
abouts of their missing dear ones. They demanded an independ-
ent Commission of Inquiry to be set-up by the state government
to look into the issue of disappearances.
Well fight till our last breath to locate the whereabouts of our
dear ones, stressed Parveena Ahangar, chairperson of one of the
factions of APDP. Her son, Javed Ahmed Ahangar, disappeared
after he was allegedly arrested by National Security Guards in
1990. Security forces operating in the state have been given
impunity to kill, abduct at random and harass people, said
Ahangar. She reiterated that India should ratify the International
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance and repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
The Association believes that about 8,000 to 10,000 people
have been subjected to enforced disappearances over the last,
more than two decades. "There is an institutional will to ensure
impunity that has resulted in no prosecution of the army, paramil-
itary and police for human rights violations? alleged Tahira
Begum, spokesperson of another faction of the Association, while
holding a sit-in at Sher-e-Kashmir Park here to mark the day.
Enforced disappearances have left behind over 1500 half-
widows and their children, informed Begum.
The Association urged the international community to press the
Government of India to allow United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur
on enforced or involuntary disappearances to visit the state. JKLF
chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik, while participating in a sit-in at
Pratap Park, said both Indian civil society and the international com-
munity has adopted a criminal silence over the issue.
Hurriyat (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, while address-
ing a Friday congregation here at the historic Jama Masjid, August
30, appealed to the international community to play its role in find-
ing the fate of thousands of Kashmiris, who have been subjected
to involuntary disappearances. He informed that 9,500 people
were missing and 6,500 unmarked graves have been discovered
in Jammu and Kashmir. The conglomerate staged a silent protest
here at press enclave to mark the day.
Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, August 29,
appealed to the UN General Secretary, Ban Ki Moon, to impress
upon India to provide information about missing persons in
Kashmir.
Ten militants killed in the Valley
Ten militants were killed in two separate encounters with security
forces in Kashmir valley during the last week of August, this year.
Five militants were killed in an encounter with the police and
army in central Kashmirs Kangan in Ganderbal district, August
30. Acting on a tip-off, Armys 24 RR and police laid ambush near
Preng bridge in the area to trap the militants, said police, adding
that the militants were asked to surrender but they opened fire
which was retaliated, triggering an encounter. Police claimed all
the militants were foreigners and belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen.
Major General R R Nimborkar, GOC Victor Force addressing
the media, August 30, said the Army had already cautioned that
Amarnath Yatra was a target for militants and the area where these
militants were moving is close to the Yatra route.
Soon after the press-briefing, some video-journalists of Delhi
based news channels requested the Army to re-enact the
encounter scene for them and the Army obliged reported a local
news agency, CNS. The encounter had occurred during the night.
Meanwhile, Armys 5/5 Gurkhah Regiment, August 31,
claimed to have killed five militants, while foiling an infiltration bid
near Eagle Post at Line of Control in Tangdhar sector in border dis-
trict Kupwara. Brigadier General Staff 15 Corps, Brigadier
G S Sangah, addressing the media, said preliminary investigations
suggest that militants belonged to Lashker-e-Toiba.
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
Ehsas-e-Kashmir fails to enthuse Kashmiris
10 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 NATIONAL www.milligazette.com
RAVI NAIR
It is interesting that the Government of India and the Government of
Jammu & Kashmir have not only accorded permission to a Zubin
Mehta concert in Srinagar but are putting the state machinery at the
beck and call of a command performance orchestrated by the
German Ambassador in New Delhi.
Herr Michael Steiner has an interesting past and present. It would
have been useful if the policy pundits in New Delhi had done some
sleuthing of their own rather than depended on their flatfoot depart-
ment where intelligence is an oxymoron.
Herr Steiner is not an average diplomat. Shooting into promi-
nence in Prague in 1989 as a junior diplomat who helped East
Germans across the wall of the then West German embassy in what
was notionally still a Soviet satellite state, Czechoslovakia. It is indeed
interesting to note how a junior diplomat in a Foreign Ministry known
for its hierarchy and Prussian values of Gehorsam and
Ordnungssinn, obedience and a sense of order in plain English,
gave so much leeway to a junior diplomat when instructions were
available literally a hop, step and jump away in Bonn, the then West
German capital.
His career graph clearly marks him out as special not only as an
individual but the policies that he has espoused for Germany and
more importantly Western European foreign policy whose engine lies
in Berlin not in Brussels, London or Paris.
Mr. Steiner subsequently was deputy to Carl Bildt, the first high
representative of the United Nations in Bosnia. In 2000, according to
the New York Times, he outraged a Belgian diplomat by suggesting
at a private gathering that we might walk into your country again if
a Belgian minister did not shape up.
According to the same NYT story, in 1999, he tried to force his
way past security guards into a Rio conference without wearing his
credentials, and was forced to the floor.
The NYT adds that in 2001, he was involved in a bizarre con-
tretemps over the leaking of a cable that described his blunt conver-
sation with the Libyan leader, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi, who
appeared to admit responsibility for earlier terrorist acts. The memo,
written by the German ambassador in Washington at the time, Jrgen
Chrobog, included other details of a conversation between Mr.
Schroder, the then German President and President Bush.
It should not be forgotten that it was the same Herr Steiner who
orchestrated the end of the isolation of Mr. Narendra Modi, the
Gauleiter of Hindu Fundamentalism amongst the countries of the
European Union. Mr. Steiner surreptitiously invited Gauleiter Modi to
the German Embassy in January 2013 for a coven where all the other
European worthies dipped their flags to the German Eagle.
He is reported to have been key to getting his then boss, the
German President, to agree to the deployment of German troops in
Afghanistan. This allegedly, in the face of opposition from the then
Green Foreign Minister, Mr. Joschka Fischer in the German Coalition
government. Steiner served as Special Representative for Afghanistan
and Pakistan for the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to
2012 from where he came to New Delhi as ambassador.
German interest in what is now known as the AFPak region is not
new. From the Treaty of Gandomak in 1879 and the Treaty of the Durand
Line in 1893 the good Kaiser gave Calcutta, Delhi, Simla and London
many sleepless nights. There are too many stories to recount here about
the sparring that went on in the area between Imperial Germany and
Imperial India under the British crown. German industry then as Krupp
and now as a clutch of armament manufacturers was not a disinterest-
ed participant in the great game. It would be useful if the pundits in Delhi
visited the India Office Library in London and reread the Viceroys dis-
patches. If that is arduous, they could perhaps start with reading Hopkirk.
The Germans hosting the Munich security conference each year
have been hosting the Afghans, Pakistanis, Iranians and Indians not
only to Bavarian beer and Brotzeit but also have been taking readings
on their involvement in the area.
According to Der Spiegel, Germanys foreign intelli-
gence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), in
2006 was intercepting and reading Spiegel reporter
Susanne Koelbls e-mail correspondence with Afghan Commerce
Minister Amin Farhang. The BND leadership as early as 2005 had
unofficial negotiations with certain representatives of the Taliban in
Zurich. In November 2010, Steiners Bavarian and BND connections
were once again visible. Pakistani Commentator, Ahmed Rashid stat-
ed that secret talks were held with Talibans Syed Tayyab Agha, long-
term aide to Mulla Muhammad Omar. Also present was a prince from
Qatars ruling family, whom the Taliban had asked to be present.
In late 2008, the BND was allegedly using employees of the
German Agro Action (Welthungerhilfe) to obtain counterinsurgency
intelligence. Agro Aid warned that this would endanger the NGOs
neutrality.
Hopefully, New Delhi is keeping its eyes and ears open on
Germanys new found interest in Kashmir University, development, et
al. Any one following German policies in the area should be aware, it
is a forward policy. The US will leave in 2014 but according to Ulrich
Kirsch, the head of the German Armed Forces Association -- the
Bundeswehrverband, German combat troops should remain in
Afghanistan for many years to come. The new cockpit of this centu-
ry is this area where China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan and India meet and
vie for influence.
Mr. Zubin Mehta is also an interesting choice for Herr Steiner to
invite to Kashmir. It is amazing how New Delhi has bought the
orchestral composition written by the foreign policy wunderkind of
Berlin.
Mr. Mehtas programme in Srinagar we are told is to feature the
music of Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky. It will be interesting to
see if Wagner is the last minute inclusion with Gotterdammerung.
The Hurriyat conference and civil society in Kashmir have
missed the plot. It is New Delhi that should be fingering the worry
beads. New Delhi is playing second fiddle. Ooops, sorry, second vio-
lin.(kashmirtimes.com)
The author is a Delhi based analyst
THE SHALIMAR GARDEN PUTSCH
It is not for the first time that India is hitting
headlines for its democratic weaknesses.
The ease with which there prevails a tenden-
cy to discriminate against Muslims, label
them as terrorists and target innocent mem-
bers of minority communities for no fault of
theirs is reflective of nothing else but their
being denied their own democratic rights in a
country hailed as the largest democracy in the world. If Indian
parliamentary democracy was more functional, elected legisla-
tors may have paid some serious attention to their grievances.
Sadly, though a key feature of Indian politics is its parlia-
mentary democracy, recent political record has witnessed more
chaotic scenes than democratic practice in both Houses of
Parliament. This is suggestive of parliamentary democracy
being deliberately abused by legislators keen to gain media cov-
erage for their disrupting functioning of the Parliament. It is
equivalent to their abusing their respective positions as parlia-
mentarians by not practicing norms permitted by constitutional
democracy.
The monsoon session was disrupted frequently by Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP). The BJPs is keen on holding of parliamen-
tary elections at earliest possible. Constitutionally and demo-
cratically, the Congress-led government is entitled to stay in
power till either its term is over or it enjoys confidence of the
Parliament. The polls can also be held early if government
decides to resign or if it is voted out of power in the Parliament.
Recently, a BJP-led delegation presented a memorandum to
President Pranab Mukherjee seeking parliamentary elections
within less than three months. This move of BJP clearly signals
that this party is least likely to press for this demand by seeking
support in Parliament. The BJP is well aware that such a parlia-
mentary motion proposed by it will be defeated. A major parlia-
mentary defeat of this nature, spelling victory of Congress-led
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, will naturally be
politically damaging for BJP and also its prospects in coming
elections. So BJP has decided to play a safe game by pressing
on for its demand for early polls, everywhere else but inside the
Parliament.
Constitutionally, though the office of the Indian President is
highest in the country, politically he is only a nominal head. He
cannot take any major decision without it being approved by the
Central government. What has thus BJP achieved by expressing
its demand to him for early elections? At most, a little more
media coverage. The Indian president can agree to hold early
polls only when Congress-led government takes the required
action regarding this and seeks his approval. While Congress
heads the government, BJP leads the opposition. Constitutional
democracy binds President to go by what is proposed by the
Congress and not the BJP.
BJPs earlier plan to block parliamentary proceedings until
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh resigns and steps down from
his office can be described as a party decision, that of the BJP
taken for its own political gains. The BJP is not backed by all
opposition parties. Prospects of Congress losing support of its
allies in the Parliament are at present extremely limited. BJPs
move to stall the functioning of the Parliament may also be
termed as abuse of parliamentary democracy.
Certainly, opposition leaders have a democratic right to crit-
icize the present government as well as blame it for the eco-
nomic crisis that the country is facing. They can voice their crit-
icism through the Parliament, media, their own parties, while
addressing people and through other means. If they werent
members of Indian democracy, they probably would not have
had this right. But there is a difference between their being crit-
ical and their aggressively demanding governments dismissal
by issuing threats such as blockage of parliamentary proceed-
ings. It is the level to which parliamentary democracy is being
abused that raises questions on whether Indian democracy is
facing a political crisis or not.
From one angle, Indian democracy can be credited for polit-
ical clashes between rival parties being confined to verbal con-
flict within the Parliament and also state assemblies. They have
not assumed the stage of aggressive violence between the same
parties on streets and elsewhere. This also indicates that the
common Indian is democratically mature enough in not allowing
his political inclinations turn into clashes or to greater violence.
Independent India has certainly witnessed socio-political vio-
lence of varying nature, from the stage of communal riots, ter-
rorist incidents to minor tiffs. But over the decades, the Indian
voter has matured democratically in not allowing his political
temperament to be easily aroused to the stage of violence.
Certainly, during election-phase, minor clashes are still report-
ed. But these may also be viewed as undemocratic ploys, delib-
erately engineered by political parties for their gains.
Rhetoric indulged in by various politicians about their being
sympathetic towards Muslims would carry greater weight when
they genuinely express their stand on this in the Parliament and
state assemblies. It is time serious attention was paid to the
need of the Indian parliamentary democracy becoming more
functional. Legislators need to be questioned on whether they
are functioning as parliamentarians or are giving greater prior-
ity to abuse of parliamentary democracy!
Speaki ng Out
Abuse of
Parliamentary
Democracy
NI LOFAR SUHRAWARDY
AFSANA RASHID
A five-month old pregnant woman approaches a gynaecologist in
one of the remote areas in north Kashmir. Prior to this, the woman
had faced abortions four times.
I took it as high risk pregnancy and started investigations,
accordingly, said Dr. Sameena Ashraf of Srinagars Lalla Ded
Hospital which is the Kashmir Valleys major maternity facility, while
sharing her experience vis--vis pre-birth gender selection.
In the meantime, Dr. Ashraf came to know that the woman had
herself opted for abortions, four times. After she came to know
through the diagnostic test that she was carrying a female child, she
used to go to Jammu for abortions. This time she knew it was a male
child, so she went ahead with the pregnancy, said the doctor.
She further shares that in the same area quacks attracted more
patients. They charged patients hefty fees for conducting abortions.
If these women developed any complications, they landed up in hos-
pital, not otherwise.
She adds, same situation is prevalent everywhere in Kashmir.
Mostly unqualified persons and dayees (traditional birth atten-
dants) do abortions, in remote areas.
Quoting an example, she says that an ultrasound clinic was
started by a sonologist in the same remote area which he used to
visit on Sundays, only. For the rest of the week, he used to go to
his hospital while the clinic was managed by a technician. She adds
that it isnt difficult to determine the gender of a foetus and the tech-
nician must have learnt it.
Easy accessibility to determine sex and misuse of technology
are the reasons responsible for pre-birth gender selection, she says,
adding, such cases mostly take place at unregistered and unlicensed
ultrasound clinics. She observes that a very small percentage of
pregnant women go outside the Valley for this purpose.
Mushrooming of such centres is on the rise in valley, she says.
Dr. Ashraf says various methods are used to induce abortions.
Only those who face complications land in hospitals. We dont
know whether they do it as a result of sex-selection or not, but recent
Census report points the finger towards it.
The Jammu & Kashmir state was better off in case of child-sex
ratio with 963 females, as per the 1981 Census. It gradually dropped
to 941 females in 2001 and further to 862 females in 2011. The phe-
nomenal decline in Census 2011 has pushed the state down to the
bottom of the list among all states across the country, with just
Haryana and Punjab behind it.
Dr. Sameena Ashraf adds that prenatal diagnostic tests arent
conducted in government hospitals, but take place at private centres.
Census figures are surprising. Our position was better at the nation-
al level during 2001 Census, but results of 2011 Census are shock-
ing, she says.
In 2001 Census, the child-sex ratio (0-6 years) in Jammu and
Kashmir State was 941 compared to 927 at the national level. The
figure dropped to 862 in 2011 Census report in Jammu and Kashmir
and 914 at the national level for the same period.
The problem is uniformly distributed across the state. Dr. Ashraf
doesnt find any difference between the practice of pre-birth gender
selection being adopted by rural or urban masses or among literate
or illiterate class. She finds dowry as a major contributing factor
responsible for pre-birth gender selection. Secondly, she says, if a
couple already has female children, they are more bothered not to
have another.
This indicates preference for sons is very much there which in a
way or other leads to pre-birth gender selection. It is here where the
issue ought to be seriously addressed. Furthermore, it is both moth-
ers wish as well as societal and family pressure that lead to such
practice in society.
We advise patients not to discriminate between a boy and a girl.
We dont have much interaction with patients in Out Patient depart-
ment (OPD), but we get a chance to interact with the patients who
are admitted in hospital. We tell them they should be thankful as there
are so many couples childless, says the doctor.
She warns if the practice continues, there would be an imbal-
ance in society and crimes against women will go up.
Pertinently, the hospital caters to the entire Kashmir valley. On an
average about 350-400 patients visit the hospitals OPD every day.
Dr. Ashraf suggests remedial measures to check pre-birth gen-
der selection both at community and government levels. She
believes that education of people can play a crucial role and mass-
es should be made aware that both girls and boys are welcome, gov-
ernment should take strict action against the violators, and unli-
censed clinics and unregistered ultra sound clinics should be
banned, the practice of quacks should be taken care of.
She adds that government has announced a cash reward of
50,000 rupees to those who report pre-birth gender selection. I
dont know its outcome at the ground level. But this is a good initia-
tive.
She further states that if any such case is reported under Pre-
Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act,
definitely punishment will follow. She maintains that doctors espe-
cially gynaecologists and sonologists are aware about PCPNDT Act
and there is no pressure on doctors from patients families to go for
pre-birth gender selection. It is an individual choice. Some doctors
get carried away as it fetches them hefty amount. This is done con-
fidentially, mostly in the private sector.
Contrary to this, Dr. Abida Ahmad, Professor of Gynae and
Obstetricians, Community Medicines, Gynaecology and
Obstetricians at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences
(SKIMS), a premier institution, says she finds no reason why pre-
birth gender selection is being. resorted to: We dont do any termi-
nation. Medical termination, which is going to hamper mothers
health is done, here. Usually, such cases are referred by cardiolo-
gists and nephrologists. We dont encourage pre-birth gender selec-
tion nor do it on request of patients. It is not ethical, says Dr. Ahmad.
She adds that due to health hazards, when a mother cannot
carry on with her pregnancy, medical termination is opted.
The question is why there is a decline in the sex-ratio and weve
no reasons. We dont know where it is being done, who does it and
how it is being done, says Dr. Ahmad, adding, If it is done, it can
be in private sector or in the peripheries. But who is doing it? It is
governments job to find out. May be people move outside the state
to get it done.
She explains, when a patient approaches doctors, they
(patients) dont know the gender (sex) of the child and they never ask
it. She adds that even after the ultrasound of the expectant mothers
is done in the OPD of the hospital, no one dares to ask about the gen-
der of the foetus. They know this question will not be entertained.
The hospital receives 400 patients in the OPD on a regular basis.
The doctor denies any kind of peer-pressure or pressure from
the patient or her family to commit any such act. Dr. Ahmad
observes that nowadays, parents as well as in-laws are more con-
scious. She says that patients, sometimes at the time of the second
or third conception, tell us that their last child is young but we dont
buy that argument. We counsel them and tell them to go ahead and
in future, they can use contraceptives. IUCDs are available that can
last for more than 10 years. After counselling, most agree and
almost 10 percent vanish. They never come back for a follow-up.
This provides a clue that such cases would later on look for
other alternative places for abortions.
Referring to a case that took place in the hospital in June 2013,
Dr. Ahmad says a woman had seven daughters and the eighth time
she gave birth to a son.
This again proves preference for sons in the contemporary
Kashmiri society. As such, the mindset of people needs to be con-
sciously addressed to tackle this issue. A change has to come from
within, so that the practice of pre-birth gender selection is properly
and adequately addressed. Awareness and education, in this per-
spective, is a key to such change.
This article is part of Media fellowship programme offered by Mumbai-
based non-government organization, Population First. Feedback is wel-
come at afsana7861@yahoo.co.in
ANALYSIS The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 11 www.milligazette.com
Female child usually unwanted by Kashmiri parents
The Jammu & Kashmir state was better off in case of child-sex ratio with 963
females, as per the 1981 Census. It gradually dropped to 941 females in 2001
and further to 862 females in 2011. The phenomenal decline in Census 2011 has
pushed the state down to the bottom of the list among all states across the
country, with just Haryana and Punjab behind it.
When will India root out
the tyranny of the
Majority?
The short answer could be: when it suits the West. Egyptian
episode is fresh, when an elected President was overthrown
and put in prison on trumped up charges, the West with an
overwhelming support from paid spin doctors, filing out reams
of analysis, accusing President Mursi of the tyranny of the
Majority. For arguments sake, Indias democratic polity has
been unleashing and justifying the tyranny of the Majority for
over 60 years and there is no respite for those marginalized and
pushed down the barrel from continuous and relentless ostra-
cization, demonisation and incarceration by three percent
Brahmins with their contrived Hindu majority.
To suppress and demoralise the Muslim minority, the latest
exposure from the media leak of an internal letter by an under-
secretary of the Home Ministry ascribing to an IPS officer the
belief that the Government of the day had a role in getting its
secret agencies to stage the attack on Parliament and the terror
strikes on the city of Mumbai on 26/11. This diabolic move in
which innocent Indian citizens have been killed, is supposedly
undertaken to ensure that Muslim minority should stay off ter-
rorism. Will this state terrorism be legitimised. Is this not a case
of tyranny of the Majority over a minority?
Muslims are awaiting how the wheels of justice move to put
the government in dock and take away the false stigma of the
terrorism from the Muslim minority. All the media which are
willingly, inadvertently or forcibly and knowingly aided and abet-
ted the government and its agencies should be made account-
able in such a horrendous subversion of state machinery work-
ing against its own people to impose the tyranny of the majori-
ty.
GHULAM MUHAMMED, Mumbai
ghulammuhammed3@gmail.com
Dr SYED ABDUL
BAARI Shabnam
Subhani, noted poet,
critic, author and
journalist died in
Delhi on 1
September. He suf-
fered heart attack and died in Al Shifa
Hospital, Jamia Nagar at the age of 76
years. Born in Tanda (Faizabad) and
educated at Gorakhpur and Lucknow
universities, he was an author of as
many as about sixty books in Urdu and
English. He had also been editing two
magazines and was closely associated
with a number of milli organisations like
All India Muslim Majlis Mushawarat,
Jamaate Islami Hind, Institute of
Objective Studies, Idara Adab-e Islami,
All India Milli Council etc. He is survived
by his wife, 3 sons and 4 daughters. He
was laid to rest in Batla House grave-
yard on 2 Sept. (more in the next issue)
Prof (Dr) LUTFUR RAHMAN, eminent
Urdu litterateur, critic, poet and
researcher died in a Bhagalpur hospital
on the night of 31 August at the age of
72 years. Born in a village of
Darbhanga, he later settled down in
Bhagalpur where he was head of the
Department of Urdu and Persian in the
University. He was
equally well versed in
Urdu as well as
Persian languages
and literature. His
about a dozen books
have been published.
He was also a minister in Mrs Rabdi
Devis cabinet. He leaves behind his
wife, two sons and a daughter. He was
laid to rest in a Bhagalpurs graveyard
on 1 September.
WASI AHMAD WASI FARRUKHABA-
DI, noted representative poet of the
new generation died of hear t attack
on 28 August at his native place. He
leaves behind his wife, one son and
two daughters.
MAULANA KALEEM SIDDIQI KHAN
JAHANPURI, religious scholar, died
of hear t attack on 1 September at the
age of 66 years. Born in a village near
Khatauli in Muzaffar Nagar district of
UP he was a scholar of the Quran
and Hadees and an exegetic writer.
MUHAMMAD MAROOF RAHMAN, a research scholar in
AMUs Department of Geology doing research work
under Dr NEA Mondal has been selected and appointed
Scientist in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
MAULANA MUHAMMAD RAHMANI
SANABLI MADNI was unanimously
elected chairman of Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad Islamic Awakening Centre
in the meeting of the Centres
Governing Body on 30 August in place
of Maulana Abdul Hameed Rahmani
who had died on 20 August. Maulana Rahmani Madni is
very well educated and in addition to religious institu-
tions in India he also qualified from Jamia Islamia
Madina Taiyyaba.
Prof GHULAM NABI QAZI, Vice
Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard
University has been re-appointed VC of
this University for 5 years. His term as
VC of Jamia Hamdard was to expire in
October this year but on the recom-
mendation of Search & Selection
Committee he has been re-appointed VC for 5 years or
till the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
Prof TARIQ AHMAD, Head of Department of History in
AMU has been appointed new Director of the Univesitys
Sir Sayyad Academy for three years in place of Prof
Salahuddin Umri of the Department of Arabic who has
resigned.
SYED ALI SHAH GEELANI, chairman
of Kashmirs Hurriyat Conference has
been re-elected chairman of his
Tahreek-e Hurriyat Party for 3 years on
1 September for the fourth consecutive
term. He defeated his rival Muhammad
Ashraf Sehrai by a big margin.
Whereas Syed Geelani secured 590 votes out of 669 votes,
Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai polled only 66 votes.
A new gazal singer, a ghazal soloist, FARRUKH BAIG
has emerged on the horizon of ghazals whose album
called Dastak which includes six ghazals written by Dr
M. S. Rahi in simple Urdu but, according to Farrukh, with
deep meaning, was launched by film producer-director
Mahesh Bhatta at India Islamic Cultural Centre on 1
September. Farrukh, besides a ghazal singer, is a man-
agement and science degrees holder and is equally well
versed in the fields of advertising & promotions, finance,
pharmaceuticals and Corporate banking. Farrukh, who
adores the the veteran ghazal singer Talat Aziz, says that
his audience feel that he has tonal quality like him (Talat
Aziz) and call him junior Talat Aziz. He has performed,
in addition to Indian cities, in UAE and European coun-
tries. Many of his ghazals have been recorded in some
TV serials. He is not a young, budding ghazal singer but
a 41-year old professional but it appears that he has
entered ghazal world quite recently.
MEN & WOMEN IN NEWS
OBITUARIES
12 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 NEWSMAKERS www.milligazette.com
United Muslim of India and Urdu Development
Organisation in a joint meeting held in Delhi on
28 August under the chairmanship of Prof Abdul
Haq selected five persons for being honoured
with Aalami Urdu Day Award 2013 in connec-
tion with the Birth Day of Allama Iqbal on 9
November. The selected Urdu litterateurs are:
MUHAMMAD ATEEQ (secretary of Muslim
Maarwad Educational Society, Jodhpur) for
being honoured with Lifetime Achievement
Award. Dr SYED SADIQ ALI TONKI (Associate
Professor, Govt College, Tonk) for being hon-
oured with Allama Iqbal Award for researched
literature, MASOODUL HASAN USMANI
(Secretary, Deeni Talim Council, Lucknow) for
being honoured with Qazi Adeel Abbasi Award
for milli services, MASOOM MURADABADI, edi-
tor, Jadeed Khabar daily for being honoured with
Mahfoozur Rahman Award for journalism and
Zahid Azad of Jhanda Nagar, poet and social
activist, Nepal for being honoured with Hafeez
Meeruti Award for poetry.
QAZI SIDDIQUE HASEEB, principal, Modern
International School, Al Ahsa and Abdul
Wadood Khan, Principal, Radhwa International
School, Yanbu (Kindom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
are among the 70 teachers of India who were
selected for being honoured with CBSE National
Award and CBSE Mentor Award - 2012 on
Teachers Day on 5 September.
Dr SHAGUFTA YASMEEN has been selected by
Bihar government for being nominated for
National Teachers Day Award 2012 which will
be presented by President of India Pranab
Mukherji to selected teachers on 5 September
which is observed every year as National
Teachers Day. Dr Shagufta Yasmeen is the first
Muslim woman teacher from Bihar to be hon-
oured on Teachers Day.
Prof ARIF NAZEER of AMUs Department of
Hindi has been selected by Uttar Pradesh Hindi
Sansthan for being honoured with its Award
which carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a
commendation certificate. Prof Nazeer has been
teaching in AMU for about 30 years. He has also
been honoured with two D. Litt Degrees sepa-
rately by two universities
ASAD RAZA, Urdu journal-
ist humourist, satirist and
shor t story writer for chil-
dren is among the authors
of 24 Indian languages
who have been selected
by Sahitya Academys
Executive Board for the Academys Bal
Sahitya Puraskar (Childrens literature
award) for his book Nannhay Munnon ki
Sarkaar in Urdu language. The Award carries
Sahitya Academys emblem, cash prize of Rs
50,000 and cer tificate. The Awards will be
given to selected authors at the Academys
function to be held in Goa in November. An
author of many books for children, he has
also been honoured with many awards like
Aafaq Urdu Award, Anjuman Taraqqi-e Urdu
Award, UP Urdu Journalists Association
Award, Maulana Azad Award, Indira Gandhi
Award and Delhi Urdu Academys Award for
his book Chaand Nagar ki Sair. In addition to
childrens literature award, Sahitya Academy
has also announced its Yuva Award 2013 for
authors in 23 languages. For Urdu language,
young critic MOEED RASHIDI has been
selected for this Award.
Ms GULSHAN ANSARI, an Urdu teachers in a
junior High School near Deoband has been
selected by UP government for being honoured
with a Special Award by the state governor on
Teachers Day on 5 September. She belongs to
Saharanpur and started her professional career
as a teacher in 1994.
Maulana Jameel Ilyasi Awards-2013, instituted
in honour of (late) Maulana Jameel Ilyasi, for-
mer President of Masjid Imams and sponsored
by the English magazine Bureaucracy Today
were presented to a number of important per-
sons in the fields of literature, journalism, TV,
politics etc at a function held in New Delhi on 20
August 2013.
AWARDS
DR. QUTUBUDDIN
Maulana Abdul Hameed Rahmani (1940-20 August 2013) had a
multi-faceted personality. He was a great scholar and staunch
preacher of Islam, an orator par excellence, and an educationist
who not only believed in the highest possible standards of educa-
tion, but also strived to achieve it without settling for anything less
than what he thought was best.
Hailing from an agrarian family in UPs Basti (now Siddhartha
Nagar) district, he excelled in education acquiring it in different
Islamic seminaries before heading to Saudi Arabia seeking high-
er education in Islamic sciences at the Islamic University in
Madinah Munawwarah. After returning home, he put in several
years teaching at several notable Islamic institutions besides writ-
ing articles and papers. He also edited and supervised the con-
tents of several magazines at different periods of time.
His writings are based on the Holy Quran and authentic
Hadiths. He is known for depth and clarity of thought.
Although he wrote in Urdu and Arabic, he was pretty comfort-
able reading and understanding Persian and Hindi. He had func-
tional knowledge of English, as well. Those who have known him
personally, appreciated his love for reading and writing. He had
little time to devote to writing though, given his preoccupation
with running and managing a number of educational institutions
he founded across the country. He used to ask his staff to pro-
cure and preserve such books that are rare. He urged his stu-
dents to read great writers. In Urdu journalism, he drew inspira-
tion from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (he named his Islamic cen-
tre after Maulana Azad and launched several institutions under its
banner) and Maulana Mohammed Usman Farqaleet. In English
journalism, he used to mention the name of MJ Akbar.
A fiery orator, Maulana had a short stint in politics as well
rubbing shoulders with politicians such as Hemwati Nandan
Bahuguna and Arjun Singh. He, however, soon realized that poli-
tics was not his cup of tea because, contrary to the rules of the
political game and manoeuvring, his dictionary didnt have words
such as compromise and cunning. Having shunned politics, he
embarked upon a more noble and constructive mission with the
launch of an educational institution in New Delhi in 1980, which
he went on expanding with branches spread in different parts of
the country both for boys and girls separately.
His zeal to educate Muslim boys and girls and to spread the
true teachings of Islam was unwavering. He always made sure
that his educational institutions had slots available for students
coming from states where there was a stronger need to propa-
gate true teachings of Islam such as Haryana and Rajasthan.
Today, the largest number of students in the Islamic boarding girls
institution he founded, namely Ayesha Siddiqa Shariat College in
New Delhi, comes from Haryana. Given the need for educating
Muslim girls in New Delhi, he set up Khadeejatul Kubra Girls
School in New Delhi, which has been imparting a mix of Islamic
and modern education in an Islamic environment.
Maulana was a perfectionist in all things he did. The mosques
as well as the buildings he built for educational institutions are
testimony to his taste. When complete, this mosque on the banks
of Jamuna in south Delhi will be a landmark of the national capi-
tal. He was not ready to accept even slight mistake in any thing
he did or ordered. He always made sure to go through every sin-
gle word written or every single work done in his institutions.
Perhaps this perfectionist approach made him a great critic,
as well. Seeking the highest possible standards in every thing, he
was hardly satisfied with anything done, which many wrongly
interpreted as underestimating their works. In doing so, he was
actually driven by his love for perfection. This was his style of
working and functioning and he expected the same in his co-
workers. He used to urge his staff and students to do better and
better, and to excel in their studies. As a result, the graduates of
his institutions have made their presence felt in institutions of
higher education, both in India and abroad. Many of his speech-
es and writings show his critic side. However, his criticism never
aimed at hurting anyone. The fact is that Maulana could not keep
silent when Islam was being wrongly portrayed, or the Holy
Quran and the Hadith were under attack. He was a staunch
defender of these main sources of Islam. In any conference, if he
listened to any even a single word being said against the true
teachings of Islam, he found it his duty to correct it openly. While
this approach might not have gone down well with some people,
it earned him many learned friends. Well read, he enjoyed a
strong grip over the history of Islam, Arabs and Islamic move-
ments, with a special focus on Hadith and allied sciences which
were his pet topics. Whenever among scholars and students of
Islam, he was requested to speak on this topic. Widely travelled,
he was well-respected in India and abroad, particularly in Arab
countries where he had many learned friends including Imams of
the Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. He had been inter-
viewed by leading newspapers and magazines in the Arab world.
A great orator, Maulana employed his oratory skills to crys-
tallise the teachings of Islam. In his content-rich speeches - be it
in conferences or weekly Friday sermons - he backed whatever
he said by quotes from the Holy Quran and the Hadhits of the
Prophet. He didnt believe in resorting to sensationalism or fiery
speeches to draw crowds. He was a strong opponent of voices
that tried to ride the wave of sensationalism.
With his remarkably significant work in the area of education,
Maulana Rahmani has left behind a great legacy to be preserved
and sustained. While the scholarly gap caused by Maulanas
demise is hard to be filled, it is prayed that Almighty may give
those who have been entrusted with carrying on his mission the
strength and spirit to take it to newer heights.
The author is a graduate of Jamia Islamia, Sanabil, New Delhi
founded by Maulana Rahmani.
MAULANA ABDUL HAMEED RAHMANI
Fake Pakistani video used to burn Muzaffarnagar
SPECIAL REPORT The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 13 www.milligazette.com
MG/Yusuf
Muzaffarnagar: This district is
under the grip of communal
insanity and curfew and at least
29 lives have been lost includ-
ing a journalist. This riot is not
an spontaneous reaction to
some flare-up. Rather it was a
result of well-organised cam-
paign to fan communal ten-
sions.
It all started on 27 August
27 in Kawal village when wo
youths belonging to Jat commu-
nity Gaurav and his cousin
Sachin of Malikpura village attacked Shahnawaz of
Kawal village with knives for allegely passing lewd
remarks on two of their female cousins.
Shahnawaz later died in the hospital. His relatives
and local villagers caught hold of Sachin and
Gaurav and killed them in mob beating. The matter
did not end here as a police case. Saffron political
strategist found potential in the incident and start-
ed to prepare the ground for an explosion. Fake
videos of killing of Hindu youths by Muslim mob
while they were protecting the honour of their sis-
ters were mass-circulated through mobile
phones and Internet. The video showed men in
beards and traditional Muslim attire murdering two
youths mercilessly.The fact is that this video orig-
inated in Pakistan after the 2010 lynching of two
brothers in Sialkot by a mob which thought they
were dacoits. That video was was edited to incite
the passions to show how bearded Muslims killed
helpless innocent Hindu boys. The video traveled
like wild fire inflaming the passions. BJP MLAs in
the region were reportedly involved in its spread
on the Net and Facebook.
The Pakistani video clip was further popular-
ized by the widely circulated Hindi newspaper
Dainik Jagaran in its local edition. The news item
of Jagaran with a screen shot of the Pakistani
video came as a blessing for the hate-mongers
who started widely circulating the forged news to
further buttress their claim.
Sensing trouble police immediately tried to
block the video clips from the internet and filed an
FIR against the BJP MLA and 229 other unidenti-
fied persons for sharing the video. They have been
booked under Sections 420 (forgery), 153-A (pro-
moting enmity on religious grounds) and 120-B
(conspiracy) of the IPC and Section 66 of the
Information Technology Act at the Kotwali police
station in Muzaffarnagar.
According to ADG, Law and Order Arun
Kumar, "A fake video related to murder of two peo-
ple in a village was uploaded on the internet. We
blocked that particular video but unfortunately the
CDs were circulated in the village."
Demo against the coup in Egypt
Bahraich: Muslim
Siyasi Bedari
Forum organised
a candle march
here on 22 August
against the mili-
tary coup in Egypt
and asked the
Indian govern-
ment to make its
stand clear on this
ant i -democrat i c
event. The pro-
testers con-
demned the large-
scale murder of
civilians by the
Egyptian army.
Protesters said the
Egyptian armys
action is a threat
to democracy and human rights in the world. The protesters sent a memorandum to the Indian Prime
Minister to take a clear stand against the coup in Egypt.
London: In a rare display
of unity representatives of
various socio-religious
organisations picketed on
10 September outside
Brent Town Hall against
the invitation sent to the
butcher of Gujarat
Narendra Modi by a
group of British MPs led
by Barry Gardiner.
Holding placards with
messages, "Killer Modi
not welcome here", pick-
eters shouted slogans,
"Barry Gardiner, shame
shame", "Barry Gardiner
dont lie, Narendra Modi gives genocide", "Who killed Ishrat Jahan? Modi did, Modi did", "Modi is a mur-
derer", "Barry Gardiner shame on you shame on you".
More than 100 delegates participated in the picket organised by South Asia Solidarity Group and
supported by Council of Indian Muslims-UK (CoIM); Brent Trades Council, Foil Vedanta; Islamic Human
Rights Commission; CasteWatch UK; Southall Black Sisters; Indian Workers Association Birmingham;
South Asian Alliance; Asian Rationalist Society; Freedom Without Fear Platform.
Deluding himself that he will be able to mollify the picketers, Gardiner came outside and tried to tell
them that they were protesting against an invitation that had been declined and that he was willing to lis-
ten to and be lobbied by anyone, South Asian Solidaritys Amrit Wilson told him, "You are lying and mis-
guiding the public. You refused to see someone with a Muslim name but another person with English
name had no problem in getting an appointment." Ms Wilson said both gentlemen belonged to South
Asia Solidarity Group. Ms Wilson also told him, "You are also lying that the invitation has been declined
because Modi has not declined to attend and has only told you that he is unable to attend in the next
few weeks." Despite his bluff being called by various organisations and individuals, Gardiner continued
claiming that he had received only five emails complaining about his invitation. Seeing the angry mood
of the pickets Gardiner made a hasty retreat into the Town Hall while protesters shouted, "shame,
shame, shame".
New Delhi: Activists of Popular
Front of India staged a protest
here at the Jama Masjid on 7
September to oppose US plans
to attack Syria on the pretext
that the regime had used
chemical weapons to attack
the rebels. They raised slogans
against the continued repres-
sion by the army of the demo-
cratic forces in Egypt. In a
press release K M Shareef, the
Chairman of Popular Front of
India, said that the hypocrisy of US President
Barrack Obama was glaringly evident in the moral
indignation expressed by him at the use of gas in
killing women and children in Syria. World cannot
forget the fact that US had encouraged and sup-
ported Iraq when it used chemical weapons dur-
ing the Iran-Iraq war funded by the enemies of
Islamic revolution. The Obama administration has
already killed more people in Afghanistan, Iraq,
Somalia and Yemen than what George Bush had
done. Such hypocrisy is to be exposed and
fought off by freedom loving people, the state-
ment said.
London demo against Modi visit
PFI holds demo against the US threat
Souvenir on Maulana Daryabadi
A souvenir on Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi United Muslim of Inda and
Urdu Development Organisation have decided to publish a souvenir about
Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi (16 March 1892-6 January 1977), the
great mufassir and literateur . It will be released on Urdu Day which will be
celebrated on 9 November this year. Articles for this souvenir are invited and
should reach by 30 September. Address: Dr Syed Ahmad Khan, Convenor,
Urdu Day Committee, D-49 Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan Park, New Selampur,
New Delhi 110 053; email: hakeemsyedahmedkhan@gmail.com.
Dharna by WPI against price
hike at Jantar Mantar
New Delhi; Welfare
Par ty of India
strongly urged
Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh
to revise and
redraft the eco-
nomic policy pur-
sued by UPA and
demanded to
make it humane,
free from local and
foreign corporate
pressures and
make people-
friendly.
The party organised a dharna at the Jantar Mantar here on 7 September. It coincided with
similoar dharnas by the party in many other states across the country. Party general secretary
Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas observed the country was witnessing an unprecedented economic slowdown. He
demanded to make the Public Distribution System (PDS) stronger and to make essential com-
modities easily available through the PDS as a way to control the price rise. He asked for a spe-
cial drive against the hoarders and black-marketeers all over the country. He urged the govern-
ments to constitute Price Regulatory Authorities at Centre and state levels that would monitor
trends in the market, suggest effective and timely steps to control and regulate the prices of com-
modities.
Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan, vice-president of the party said that the Congress-led UPA govern-
ment has raised the price of petrol products many times in the recent past. Government impos-
es various kinds of taxes and levies on oil making it highly expensive whereas petroleum prod-
ucts are much cheaper in almost all neighboring countries. He made it clear that every increase
in the prices of petroleum products automatically pushed prices up of other commodities and
thereby raising the cost of living. He said the price rise is only a symptom; the main reason is the
wrong IMF and World Bank-dictated policies which are against the poor who make the majority
of Indian citizens. Party secretary Dr. Tasleem Rehmani criticized the Congress-led UPA govern-
ment for ignoring the farming community and those who live in villages. He said the freedom
struggle was not fought to replace white British with black British.
With this report in Dainik Jagaran emotions were fanned
No salaries to Imams & Muazzins: HC
Kolkata: Kolkata High Court Bench of Justices P. K. Chatterjee and
M M Srivastava, in response to a petition filed by some BJP and
opposition members declared in their verdict on 2 September that
salaries or honorariums being paid by the state government to
Masjid Imams and Muazzins are unconstitutional and against pub-
lic interest. It may be stated that last year (2012) in April the state
government had announced that monthly salaries or allowances of
Rs 2500 will be paid to Masjid Imams and Rs 1500 to Muazzins.
For this purpose the state government had allotted Rs 660 crores
in the states annual budget for the year 2012-13. It had also con-
stituted a task force headed by retired judge Muhammad Abdul
Ghani to identify the beneficiaries of the honorarium. At that time
many dissenting voices were raised against this step of the gov-
ernment and subsequently BJP leader Aseem Sircar had filed a
petition in the High Court claiming that the governments action
was discriminatory because these amounts were being paid to
religious persons of one community only. The High Court bench,
while declaring the payment to Imams etc unconstitutional, direct-
ed that these should be stopped immediately. State government
lawyers said in the court that the salaries or allowances were
being given in public interest. The Court however rejected this
argument. It may be stated that there are about 75000 Imams in
the state of whom about 30,000 are receiving these allowances.
According to legal observers, the governments step was flawed
because it had issued just a memorandum whereas according to
rules, it should have issued a proper Government Order. Muslims
and religious leaders criticised the government for not presenting
the case in the Court correctly. They said that the chief minister
exploited their sentiments and mislead the Court by saying that the
salaries were being paid to Imams etc from public exchequer
whereas truly speaking they were being paid from Waqf budget or
from minorities welfare budget. They asked the government to
challenge this verdict in the Supreme Court with the correct
approach or else they themselves would file a petition in the
Supreme Court against this verdict. It is also reported that she has
instructed the concerned department/s not to stop the allowances
to Imams etc.
165 promising students of West Bengal get awards
Kolkata: Human Welfare Foundation honoured 165 promising stu-
dents from West Bengal who had secured distinction in High School
Boards examination held in March this year (2013) with cash awards
and certificates at a function held at Kolkata on 1 September. Students
who had secured 80 percent or above marks in this examination were
selected on merit basis for this award. It may be stated that this
Foundation had started this award 5 years ago i.e. from the year 2009
from UP and till now it has honoured about 6000 students from 15
states of the country. The award programmes for the year 2013 were
started from 1 September in Kolkata and after this, award functions
will be held in Gujarat, North Assam, UP, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi,
Jharkhand, South Assam and Bihar.
Modi govt to repair riot-hit mosques and religious places
Ahmedabad: Gujarat governments Additional Advocate Genral
Tushar Mehta assured the Supreme Court bench of Justices K. S.
Radhakrishnan and A. K. Sikri on 27 August that it would prepare
a plan for payment of damages to mosques, dargahs and shrines
etc which were damaged or destroyed in Gujarats communal riots
of February-March 2002 or itself get them repaired. He said that
on behalf of the Gujarat government he would come up with a
detailed plan for repair of religious places by the next date of hear-
ing of this case on 1 October, copies of which will be given to the
court as well as to the petitioner IRCG. It may be stated in this con-
nection that the chairman of Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat
(IRCG), Shakeel Ahmad had filed a petition in the Gujarat High
Court way back in 2003 requesting the High Court to direct the
Gujarat government to get about 535 damaged or destroyed
mosques, dargahs, shrines etc repaired on the ground that the
state government being custodian of life and properties of citizens,
it was its responsibility to protect them and in case of destruction
or damage in riots etc, to get them repaired. After a legal battle
lasting 10 years the High Court while upholding the petition, had
directed the state government in February this year, to get them
repaired but the Modi-led government of Gujarat, while challeng-
ing this directive of the High Court on the ground that as a secu-
lar government it saw no reason in repairing places of religious
worship or giving any compensation for these. While challenging
this verdict of High Court in the Supreme Court it had asked the
apex court to stay Gujarat High Courts verdict. Supreme Courts
bench, while upholding Gujarat High Courts verdict had directed
Gujarat government to file a survey report to it about the damaged or
destroyed places of religious worship. Supreme Court bench had stat-
ed that in case of damages caused by calamities like earthquakes,
floods etc when governments can give compensations, why not for
damages to religious places? After Gujarats Addl. Advocate General
Tushar Mehtas assurance that he, on behalf of his government,
would submit a detailed plan for repair of the damaged places of wor-
ship, Supreme Court bench also stayed all processes of survey,
assessment and claims by religious trusts. Commenting on Gujarat
governments U-turn of repairing all damaged or destroyed places
of worship after rejection of its appeal by the Supreme Court
bench, the Islamic Relief Committee of Gujarat said that this is
clearly an attempt by the Modi government to remove the stigma
of its biased attitude which it has consistentlybeen adopting
against repair of destroyed places of worship.
Montreal Model for preservation of Delhi Mughal monuments
New Delhi: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)s outgoing
Director General Suresh Goel has suggested that in order to pre-
serve the grandeur of the Mughal Empire, outsiders (excluding
residents of the Walled City) entering Delhis Walled City should be
charged a fee for entering Walled City. According to him, this is the
Montreal (Canadian city) model which would preserve Moghul
grandeur and would take the Walled City back to its past glory and
would also lead to generation of income which could be used for
conservation of heritage property and also to decongest the area.
He says that we should adopt the Montreal model by according
special status to the Walled City. Under this system, according to
him, except those who are already residing in the Walled City, all
those entering the Walled City, either by foot or by any transport,
should be charged an entry fee. This would also bring in the badly
needed revenue, he says. However, it is doubtful if the government
or municipal bodies would ever agree to such a proposal.
Moreover, this appears to be rather impracticable because this
will necessitate clear demarcation of the Walled City area and all
entry points sealed either by erecting walls or barbed wire all
round the Walled City.
Marriage registration now made compulsory for all Indians
New Delhi: Registration of marriage has now been made compul-
sory for people belonging to any religion in India. The bill regard-
ing registration of all marriages was passed by voice vote in the
Rajya Sabha on 13 August under which all marriages taking place
after this bill becoming law must be registered failing which a fine
of Rs 50 will be imposed. Government, however has made it clear
that this bill, after becoming law will not be applicable to marriages
that have taken place in the past. It may be stated that marriage
registration bill which is linked to birth and death registration bill
was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 13 August by amending this
(birth and death registration) bill 2012. This bill is in pursuance of
the Supreme Courts order of 2006 directing the (central) govern-
ment to enact a law for registration of all marriages irrespective of
followers of any religion. Kapil Sibal, who is also the law minister
in addition to communications and information technology, also
made it clear that even in case of non-registration of any marriage,
it will not be declared illegal (though a fine will be imposed). He
further said that states are free to implement it and can lay down
any principles, if needed, under registration of marriages. The
minister, while explaining the implications of this bill said in the
Rajya Sabha that the government has no record of most of the
marriages that have taken, or are taking place in the country and
added that registration of marriage will be beneficial for both men
and women, particularly women because with marriage registra-
tion certificate they will be protected from exploitation and depri-
vation. He said that in many cases they are deprived of their
share in (parental) property. Similarly, such a certificate will be
useful for them to bring up their children, he said.
Jharkhand govts grant for Madrasas and minority schools
Ranchi: The newly formed government of Jharkhand headed by
Hemant as chief minister has sanctioned Rs 108 crores (Rs
1,08,14,700) as grants. The Directorate of Middle Schools
Education has sent this amount to the concerned districts. Of this
amount, 80 crore rupees are for minority middle schools and the
remaining are grants for non-teaching and recognised madrasas.
This (remaining amount) will be for salaries etc of teachers.
District-wise, the maximum amount of grant, i.e. Rs 17 crores is
allotted to Ranchi district for its schools and madrasas. Districts
which have no minority middle schools or recognised madrasas
have not been given grants. There are many madrasas which have
not been recognised. Files of these madrasas are with the govern-
ment, under consideration. A request has been made to chief min-
ister Hemant to consider the case of these madrasas also and
sanction grants to them also.
Minorities Ministry to sponsor candidates for services exams
New Delhi: Union ministry for minorities affairs, in view of very
small number of Muslims, and their ever decreasing number in
higher level government posts is preparing a scheme to sponsor
Muslim candidates, i.e. to give financial assistance to them to join
coaching classes for civil services examination. In this connection
minorities affairs minister K. Rahman Khan held a meeting in his
ministry in which senior and experienced persons associated with
about a dozen important coaching centres were invited and the
problem of their sponsorship for coaching and training in impor-
tant coaching centres was discussed. After the meeting the min-
ister said that his ministry wants that Muslims and people of other
backward communities should get more representation in impor-
tant administrative services like IAS. Mentioning Muslim candi-
dates in particular he said that in order to increase their number
in such services his ministry will sponsor Muslim candidates and
coaching institutions will train and prepare them for civil services
examinations held by UPSC. He said that rules and guiding prin-
ciples are being prepared which will soon be made public. In this
meeting representatives of Jama Millia Islamia, Zakat Foundation
of India, Jamia Hamdard which have been coaching particularly
Muslim candidates for these examinations were also invited.
It may be stated that such coachings for Muslim candidates
are necessary in view of the fact that for about a decade the num-
ber of successful Muslim candidates in civil services examina-
tions conducted by UPSC like IAS, IPS, IFS etc hovers, on a aver-
age, around 30 out of the total of 700 to 1000 candidates which is
only around 3.5 per cent of the total number in the merit list, which
is indeed very low.
CBIs notice to BJP-MLA and 50 others in Gopalgarh riots case
Jaipur: CBI, which is investigating the 2011 communal riots in
Rajasthans Gopal Garh, had issued notices to as many as 50 sus-
pected persons, including states BJP-MLA Anita Singh asking them
to present themselves in CBIs office in Bharatpur. However, fearing
arrest because of their role in the fierce communal riots, no one
reached the CBI office on the fixed date, after which CBI, accompa-
nied by local police, raided about a dozen places in search of these
people. It may be stated in this connection that communal riots had
erupted in Gopal Garh between Gujars (Hindus) and Meos (Muslims
having their origin in Haryanas Mewat) regarding a pond and some
land around this pond. In these riots and police firing 10 persons
belonging to Meo community were killed. Those who had taken shel-
ter in a mosque were also not spared and killed in police firing. The
role of police was extremely objectionable and in addition to the
deaths of people, the mosque also suffered damages in police firing.
Because of partisan role of the state police, the riots case was
entrusted to CBI which sent notices to the people suspected of hav-
ing a role in this riot and when no one turned up, CBI and police team
raided various places. It is not known how many people were arrest-
ed in these raids.
Conversion alleged: 14 picked up
Barwani (MP): Amidst rumours of alleged conversion, police picked
up 14 persons for questioning from a house in Barwani district. On a
tip off Anjad police raided a house where these persons had assem-
bled. While Samati Bai (50) the owner of the house claims that peo-
ple had gathered to pray for her sons recovery who has been ill for
some time; the police claimed that a drum, cymbals and a Bible were
found in the house. The detained persons belong to Barela Bhils and
Koli tribal communities. Police believes that there does not seem to be
any proof of forced conversion.
Zakia Jafery question SITs clean chit to Modi
Ahmedabad: Zakia Jaferys lawyers Sanjay Parekh and Meher
Desai completed their arguments in the court of metropolitan
magistrate, Ahmedabad regarding the clean chit given by the
Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) to
Modi and 67 others in the Godhra riots case of 2002, on 30
August. In their arguments they questioned SITs clean chit and
said that SIT prepared its report after ignoring some important
proofs and witnesses and hence demanded re-investigation of the
case. While pointing out the flaw in SITs report they said that
SITs report completely ignored the statements, depositions and
views of supreme courts amicus curiae Raju Ramachandaran,
Gujarats former DGP, RB Srikumar and suspended IPS officer
Sanjiv Bhat. Moreover, they said, the team did not properly inves-
tigate the CDs of phones in connection with riots and many proofs
at the place of incident.
Mumbai: Engineer Tajul Islam Siddiqi, a software engineer who
was an employee of Hindustan Computers Ltd (HCL) Hyderabad
and was accused and arrested by Mumbai police for his alleged
complicity in the Ghatkopar bomb blast in a bus in 2002 in
Mumbai, was released by the POTA court of Mumbai on
13 August in the absence of any proof of his complicity in this
bomb blast. It may be stated that a bomb blast had taken place in
a bus in Ghatkopar, Mumbai in 2002 in which two persons had
died and more than 30 were injured. Police at that time had
arrested 8 persons in connection with this bomb blast, including
one Khwaja Yunus of Mumbai who, because of brutal torture by
police inspector Sachin Vaze had died in custody. However, the
POTA court released all the 8 alleged accused in 2005.
Mumbais crime branch police had arrested, or rather kid-
napped Tajul Islam Siddiqi from his residence in Hyderabad
on 21 November 2012 without informing either his family
members or even Hyderabad police. His family members did
not know wherefrom these policemen had come and why they
had kidnapped him (Tajul Islam). They lodged a complaint in
a police station in Hyderabad. After two days his family mem-
bers received a telephone call from Mumbais crime branch
about the arrest of Tajul Islam in connection with the
Ghatkopar bomb blast. After this, Hyderabad Police
Commissioner also informed his family members about his
arrest by Mumbai police in connection with Ghatkopar bomb
blast, but said that Mumbai police had not contacted his office
before his arrest. Mumbai police, after Tajul Islams arrest,
had fabricated the story that he was associated with SIMI,
that he was in league with many anti-Indian and terrorist
organisations. The so-called national media and particularly
electronic media printed and telecast polices fabricated story
without any verification, showing Tajul Islam on TV for sever-
al days. But when he was freed by the court in the absence of
any proof, the same media is totally silent.
Tajul Islams family members fought and disputed the
polices fabricated story that he was a SIMI associate. They said
he is associated not with SIMI but with Jamiat Islamis student
organisation, Students Islamic Organisation. On 30 April this
year (2013) POTA Court freed Tajul Islam on bail because the
crime branch police had failed to file a charge sheet against him
within the prescribed limit of 90 days. When, after his release on
bail, he went to office (HCL) he was told that his services had
been terminated.
On 1 August this year Mumbais crime branch informed the
POTA Court that no proof of his (Tajul Islams) association with
SIMI or any record of his complicity in any terrorist act has been
found. Crime branch further said that his computer, internet,
email etc records have been fully checked but no proof of any of
his illegal activities has been found. Hence he should be
absolved of all charges. After receiving this message from the
crime branch police, POTA court acquitted him on 13 August.
(N. A. Ansari)
Ghatkopar bomb blast accused Tajul Islam
freed by POTA court
14 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 COMMUNITY NEWS www.milligazette.com
UP govts scheme of quota for Muslims
Lucknow: UP government in order to attract Muslim votes in
favour of Samajwadi Party for the next years general elections
has decided to grant 20 percent quota to the community in
dozens of projects (almost 85) of 30 different departments of the
government. A decision to this effect was taken by the state cab-
inet in its meeting held on 20 August and chaired by chief minis-
ter Akhilesh Yadav. The gist of his statement made in this meeting
was that this is in fulfilment of the promises made by his Party in
their election manifesto, i.e. to work for the uplift of minorities,
particularly Muslims, in accordance with the recommendations of
Sachar Committee and that this decision was a step in that direc-
tion. It is difficult to say whether the above decision was really on
the agenda of the Akhilesh government which would have taken
its own sweet time or was precipitated to placate Azam Khan and
some other Muslim leaders who had expressed their displeasure
over SP Supremo Mulayam Singh and Akhilesh Singhs meeting
with Ashok Singhal and other VHP leaders and in expression of
his displeasure he (Azam Khan) had skipped a meeting of the
cabinet. Any way, in accordance with this decision of 20% quota
for Muslims in areas, villages, wards etc where the population of
Muslims is more than 25% there would be more highways, over-
bridges, canals, roads, power generation units, universities,
womens security schemes, financial assistance for purchase or
supply of certified seeds, Indira Awas Yojna, boring of hand
pumps, schemes for handicapped persons, golden jubilee
grameen self employment scheme, Ambedkar special employ-
ment scheme, farmers training, small dairy projects, rural drink-
ing water project, development of marketing centres for farm or
agricultural products, building of roads in rural areas fairly popu-
lated by Muslims, free boaring for irrigation, backward areas
development schemes, Lohia Gram Awas scheme so on and so
forth. For effective implementation and monitoring of these proj-
ects and schemes, a state level committee headed by Chief
Secretary of the state and including principal secretaries as
members, and district level committees headed by district magis-
trates will be set up. Whereas the government emphasised that
these were long pending plans of the government, opposition
parties naturally dismissed these steps and plans of the govern-
ment merely to woo Muslims. UP Congress spokesman
Dwijendar Tripathi said that the government was not doing any
thing on the development front and that is why most of the
schemes are not progressing. He said that fixing quota (20%) is
not going to help Muslims. He described the above schemes as
stunt of the SP government. BSP leader S. P. Maurya was more
harsh and said that though father-son duo are using Muslims as
vote bank (who does not use them as vote bank?), they have an
understanding with RSS, BJP and VHP to promote Hindutva and
to terrorise Muslims so that they polarise Muslim voters in sup-
port of SP.
Punjab govt to grant scholarships to minority students
Chandigarh: Punjab government has invited online applications
from students of the state belonging to minority communities to
grant scholarships to them on merit basis. Punjabs minister for
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, S. Gulzar Singh Raanki
said on 23 July that boy and girl students of the state belonging
to minority communities like Muslims, Sikhs, Christians,
Buddhists and Parsis studying in graduate, post graduate levels
technical or professional courses in recognised educational insti-
tutions can apply for scholarships for the academic year 2013-
14. He said these scholarships will be given on merit basis. He
further said that these scholarships will be given to students the
annual income of whose parents is not more than Rs. 2.5 lakh
and such students who secured at least 50 percent marks in the
previous examination.
Hindu Maha Sabha plans to seek Modis support
Indore: Hindu Maha Sabha has decided to contest assembly elec-
tions. This was disclosed by its national vice president Himani
Savarkar, daughter-in-law of Savarkar. She ruled out the possibil-
ity of an alliance with BJP. However, she might consider the option
if Narendra Modi asks her. Alleging that Hindus were falsely impli-
cated in the Malegaon blasts in a fabricated political conspiracy.
she claims that a book to be released on 31 August, will expose
the propaganda about saffron terrorism. The book will first be
published in Marathi and later on in Hindi. Reminding that those
who forget their history suffer a geographical disaster she point-
ed out that Hindu homes were set ablaze in Kishtwar. She inau-
gurated poll office in Indore assembly seat No 1.
Big Bs fake video
Having staged more than a dozen fake encounters Gujarat has
now a fake video using Amitabh Bachchans voice backing
Narendra Modi as the Prime Minster. Utpal Jivrajani tendered his
apology to Amitabh admitting that he had uploaded the clip but
denies creating it. He was on his way to Mumbai to personally
apologise to big B who has threatened to take legal action over
the video. The brand ambassador for Gujarat expressed his out-
rage and said that his voice for Lead India campaign in 2007
was manipulated. Modis video clips were super imposed as
Bachchan spoke about a suitable leader for the country while
reciting a poem by his father. Modi shared Amitabhs concern and
suggested that the author of the fake video should take action
and apologize to Amitabhji. No wonder Digvijay Singh has chris-
tened Modi as Feku (one who fakes / bluffs)
Indore under curfew on sadbhavna day
Indore: Chandannagar locality of Indore was a witness to riot
which included attempts of arson and cross firing between two
communities on Rajiv Gandhis birth anniversary celebrated as
sadbhavna day. After a 3 and half hours of hostilities the admin-
istration imposed curfew in the locality. The situation, at the
moment, is being described as tense but under control. According
to Akash Tripathi, district collector, 23 policemen and 7 persons
were injured. The police had to resort to firing in the air and burst
tear gas shells to control the situation. Other parts of city
remained calm and normal The tension over a dispute had been
brewing for the past three days. Some miscreants butchered an
animal which led the Hindu organisations to resort to roadblocks
(chakka jam)
Court decides Amreens fate
Indore: High court gave an interim order in favour of Pals family
over Amreens custody. It restrained police and administration
from any attempt to forcibly shift Amreen from Pals family.
Before passing the order Justice Modi had a chat with Amreen. A
UP High court decision was cited as precedent It may be recalled
that Amreens grand father, Abdul Gaffar, had foolishly gifted
her to neighbour Pals family as it was childless. The adopted
parents gave her a new name Swati. On his return from Saudi
Arabia, her real father objected to this adoption and raised the
matter in a public petition.
Administration forcibly removes Fatima from protest place
Indore: Dr Fatima Jamalis fast unto death attracted the attention
of administration and political parties. She was forcibly lifted from
the site by a team of police and administration and admitted to
MY Hospital for a medical check up. Later on she was discharged
from the hospital as Fatima pleaded that she was in sound health
though she had lost 6 kgs. Prior to this there was a scuffle
between police and Fatimas sympathisers. Police snatched
away their mobiles and threw them away. When lady constables
failed to lift Fatima assistance of males was sought and she was
taken on a stretcher. She resumed her fast at the same venue
Meanwhile, her sister Sameena Wasanwala arrived from
Gujarat to support her cause. Fatima appealed to the administra-
tion that instead of wasting time it should issue notification for her
recruitment under the recent provisions of 2005 act for employing
handicapped persons. Political parties and other NGOs have
joined her protest. Bohra community, Rashtriya Swabhiman
Andolan Manch and Aap is likely to submit a memorandum to
the state governor Ram Naresh Yadav. Congress has decided
to take out a rally from the place of protest (commissioners
office) to Gandhijis statue.
What a tragic comedy!
Jabalpur: She came; they saw her; she conquered all the three.
This is what happened to three fast friends who were tricked into
a love affair without any of the remaining two having any idea of
the secret. Ejaz of Gohilpur, Waseem of Hanumantal and
Muhammad Kareem fell in love with a trickster. They did not dis-
close the secret of their affair to one another and she maintained
utmost secrecy. However, when each of them proposed to her,
she promptly refused all the three. Rejected / Dejected heroes
swallowed poison and were rushed to hospital where they are out
of danger. However, there has been no disclosure of the identity
of the seductress nor what action the police took against her. Who
says only the French die for their lady love? We have stupid
Muslim youths who can die for a trickster without bothering about
the injunction against suicides that Islam imposes on them.
Sants, sadhus raise voice against 84 kosi Parikrama
New Delhi: Though VHP and other similar outfits Chauraasi Kosi
Prikrama march to Ayodhya was foiled by UPs SP government
on the very first day with the arrest of top leaders and the march
failed to take off, sadhus, saints and some intellectuals too have
now raised their voice against this Parikrama and are declaring
this Parikarma not permissible according to Hindu Dharm Shastra
but even then VHP insists on starting and continuing the 84 kosi
prikrama. A very close associate of Shankaracharya Swami
Saroopanand Saraswati and president of Rashtriya Pragatisheel
Morcha, Uttam Sharma has posed some pertinent questions to
the VHP. He says that according to Hindu Dharm Shastra, this is
the time of Chaitramaas during which period even crossing a
river or rivulet is prohibited, how then and according to which
shastra, VHPs sadhus and saints are going to perform this
parikrama? He said that Hindus of the country want VHP to
answer this question. It may be stated that according to VHPs
declaration, its plan was to undertake 84 kosi yatra from 25
August to 3 September and thereafter Ayodhyas parikrama but
the UP government banned it. On the other hand Jagadguru
Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Adhokshanand Maharaj
said that the butcher of humanity in Gujarat, Narendra Modi now
wants to play politics in UP. He said that until and unless poison-
ous insects of the country are eliminated, no peace and harmony
can be maintained in the country, adding that those who are con-
spiring to destroy humanity must be stopped and it is the govern-
ments responsibility to stop them. The Shankaracharya said that
sadhus and sants patronised by VHP are cheats and thugs who
come at the time of elections to cheat Hindus. He said that about
20 years ago in the name of Ram Mandir Hindus not only of India
but all over the world were cheated and huge amounts were col-
lected for contesting elections and now they have come again to
repeat the same old trick. He said that VHP activists and sadhus
collecting money in the name of Ram Mandir are enemies of
Hindus. He said Rams character is very exalted who had for his
younger brother undertaken 14 years banbaas but these people
want to sell Ram for the sake of power. He said that we demand
that the government takes drastic action against all those who are
looking for any excuse to provoke communal riots. Founder
President of Universal Association for Spiritual Awareness,
Pundit N. K. Sharma also said the same thing about the timing
of this parikrama as Uttam Sharma, adding that this is Chaitra
maas and under taking Chaurasi kosi parikrama at this time is
not only disallowed but this is nothing but mischief making,
spreading discord and a conspiracy to vitiate the atmosphere
in the country. He said that the period of Chaurasi kosi parikra-
ma is immediately after navratra when in this month all big
impor tant and sadhus and sants etc assemble at one place
and do not leave the place till this month is over. He said, in
addition to many other things, that he has come to know
through a reliable source that some organisations have
arranged a very huge amount of money from foreign countries
to spread and promote communalism and to vitiate the coun-
trys atmosphere. He said that I make an appeal to govern-
ment to thoroughly investigate this news before these mis-
chievous organisations succeed in their evil designs and if
true, strong action should be taken against them.
MANUU to set up a vocational training centre in Bidar
Hyderabad: Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU)
or simply Urdu University which was set up to promote Urdu
and make Urdu the medium of education is also mandated to
impar t vocational or professional education and training
through this language. With this objective in view, the
Universitys Vice Chancellor Incharge Dr Khwaja Muhammad
Shahid said here at an Independence Day function on
15 August that a vocational training centre will soon be set up
in Bidar (Karnataka) where vocational education also will be
impar ted in Urdu and 23 acres of land has already been allot-
ted for this centre. He said that for progress and development
we need an ideology and a mission. In his speech he said that
one should always be optimistic and avoid being a pessimist.
He also laid emphasis on the promotion of womens education
because promoting womens education is also among the mis-
sions of this University. He called upon the people, particular-
ly the younger generation to spread the message of womens
education in every home.
New Delhi: Communal Violence Bill has been pending for a long
time because of opposition by state government and many polit-
ical parties, particularly the RSS and its allied parties. On the
demand of Muslim leaders and intellectuals many amendments
in the original bill have been made but even then the bill does not
meet their requirements. Though union ministers Rahman Khan
and Kapil Sibal have assured that the amended bill will be
brought before the Parliament in the forthcoming winter session,
government thinks that even if it is introduced in the Parliament,
it will not be allowed to be passed by the opposition parties, par-
ticularly BJP and other outfits who claim that this bill is anti-
Hindu and presupposes that communal riots are mostly pro-
voked by Hindus and communal parties. Any way the two min-
isters have assured Muslim MPs that it will be introduced in the
forthcoming winter session. Now Justice Suhail Aijaz Siddiqi,
Chairman of National Commission for Minorities Educational
Institutions has made his own suggestions because, according
to him, this bill in its present form is not strong enough and
needs to be made more stringent.
According to him the biggest problem before the country
now is social tension because of which the countrys integrity is
in danger and hence a stringent bill is needed to control commu-
nal riots. His first suggestion is that it should be designated Anti-
Riots Act. The bill should contain the provision that if it is proved
that any person or leader is directly or indirectly involved in
hatching a conspiracy of instigating communal violence or riot,
he should be sentenced at least for 10 years or a maximum of
life imprisonment. Such a leader or person should be barred
from contesting any election for 10 years. Not only this, relatives
of such persons / leaders should also be barred from contesting
elections because in many cases such (disqualified) persons put
up their wife, brother etc to contest elections. According to his
suggestion, the leader or person provoking riots should not be
granted bail (as under MCOCA). Another suggestion of his, is
that special investigation / monitoring team should be there to
keep an eye on riots and special courts also should be set up so
that the persons found guilty of provoking riots could be sent to
jail at the earliest. If it is proved that both communities are equal-
ly involved in riots, collective fine should be imposed on the peo-
ple of the locality, town, village etc and the amount thus collect-
ed should be distributed among the riot affected people. He fur-
ther suggested that person delivering hate filled or provocative
speeches should also be sentenced for at last 10 years. Legal
action should also be taken against those persons distributing
arms or weapons in meetings or functions; yatras, processions
etc which are likely to endanger communal peace or preaching
hatred, violence etc should be banned.
M. Afzal, Congress spokesperson said that communal
violence bill is very necessary for protecting the integrity of
the country and the Congress is taking all the necessary
steps to introduce this bill at the earliest. He said that state
governments, including those which call themselves secular,
are in the forefront in opposing this bill because they think
that if the central government gets more powers, their inter-
ference in the affairs of states will increase because it is
clearly stated in this bill that if any state fails in controlling
riots, central government can directly interfere in their affairs.
(N. A. Ansari)
Government assurance on bringing communal
violence bill in winter session of Parliament
COMMUNITY NEWS The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 15 www.milligazette.com
PAUL CRAIG ROBERTS
The obama r egi me s l i es ar e so
t ransparent and bl at ant t hat t he cau-
t i ous, di pl omat i c Presi dent Put i n of
Russi a l ost hi s pat i ence and st at ed
t he f act t hat we al l al ready know:
John Ker r y i s a l i ar. Put i n sai d:
Thi s was ver y unpl easant and sur-
pri si ng f or me. We t al k t o t hem [t he
Ameri cans], and we assume t hey
are decent peopl e, but he [Ker r y] i s l yi ng and he
knows t hat he i s l yi ng. Thi s i s sad.
( h t t p : / / www. i n f o r ma t i o n c l e a r i n gh o u s e . i n f o / a r t i -
cl e36117. ht m)
When Secret ar y of St at e Col i n Powel l was sent by
t he cri mi nal bush regi me t o l i e t o t he UN, Powel l and
hi s chi ef of st af f cl ai m t hat Powel l di d not know he
was l yi ng. I t di d not occur t o t he Secret ar y of St at e
t hat t he Whi t e House woul d send hi m t o t he UN t o
st ar t a war t hat ki l l ed, mai med, and di spossessed
mi l l i ons of I raqi s on t he basi s of t ot al l i es.
The despi cabl e John Ker r y knows t hat he i s l yi ng.
Here i s t he Ameri can Secret ar y of St at e, and obama,
t he puppet presi dent , knowi ngl y l yi ng t o t he worl d.
There i s not a shred of i nt egri t y i n t he US gover nment .
No respect f or t r ut h, j ust i ce, moral i t y or human l i f e.
Here are t wo peopl e so evi l t hat t hey want t o repeat i n
Syri a what t he bush war cri mi nal s di d i n I raq.
How can t he Ameri can peopl e and t hei r represen-
t at i ves i n Congress t ol erat e t hese ext raordi nar y cri m-
i nal s? Why are not obama and John Ker r y i mpeached?
The obama regi me has ever y qual i t y of Nazi Ger many
and St asi Communi st Ger many, onl y t hat t he obama
regi me i s worse. The obama regi me spi es on t he
ent i re worl d and l i es about i t . The obama regi me i s
f ul l y engaged i n ki l l i ng peopl e i n seven count ri es, a
murderous rampage t hat not even Hi t l er at t empt ed.
Whet her t he cri mi nal obama regi me can purchase
t he col l aborat i on of Congress and t he European pup-
pet st at es i n a t ransparent war cri me wi l l soon be
deci ded. The deci si on wi l l det er mi ne t he f at e of t he
worl d.
As f or f act s, t he repor t rel eased t o t he UN by t he
Russi an gover nment concl udes t hat t he weapons used
i n chemi cal at t acks i n Syr i a ar e si mi l ar t o t he
weapons i n t he hands of al -Nusra and are di f f erent
f rom t he weapons known t o be possessed by Syri a.
( h t t p : / / www. i n f o r ma t i o n c l e a r i n gh o u s e . i n f o / a r t i -
cl e36116. ht m)
The obama regi me has rel eased no evi dence t o t he
UN. Thi s i s because t he cri mi nal regi me has no evi -
dence, onl y made up f ai r y t al es.
I f t he obama regi me had any evi dence, t he evi -
dence woul d have been rel eased t o Bri t i sh Pri me
Mi ni st er davi d cameron t o enabl e hi m t o car r y t he
vot e of Par l i ament . I n t he absence of evi dence,
cameron had t o admi t t o Parl i ament t hat he had no
evi dence, onl y a bel i ef t hat t he Syri an gover nment had
used chemi cal weapons. Par l i ament t ol d
Washi ngt on s puppet t hat t he Bri t i sh peopl e were not
goi ng t o war on t he basi s of t he Pri me Mi ni st er s
unsubst ant i at ed bel i ef.
Are t he Ameri can peopl e and t he rest of t he worl d
j ust goi ng t o st and t here, sucki ng t hei r t humbs, whi l e
a new Nazi St at e ri ses i n Washi ngt on?
Congress must vot e down t he war and make i t
cl ear t o obama t hat i f he def i es t he const i t ut i onal
power of Congress he wi l l be i mpeached.
I f t he US Congress i s t oo cor r upt or i ncompet ent
t o do i t s dut y, t he rest of t he worl d must j oi n t he UN
General Secret ar y and t he Presi dent of Russi a and
decl are t hat uni l at eral mi l i t ar y aggressi on by t he US
gover nment i s a war cri me, and t hat t he war cri mi nal
US gover nment wi l l be i sol at ed i n t he i nt er nat i onal
communi t y. Any of i t s member s caught t r avel i ng
abroad wi l l be ar rest ed and t ur ned over t o t he Hague
f or t ri al . (t rut her)
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16 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.milligazette.com
The US Government Stands Revealed to the
World as a Collection of War Criminals and Liars
Does the American public have the strength of character to face the fact that the US
government stands before the entire world revealed as a collection of war criminals
who lie every time that they open their mouth? Will Congress and the American public
buy the White House lie that they must support war criminals and liars or America will
lose face?
John Kerry reveals Arab
countries have offered to
pay America to carry out
full-scale invasion of Syria
Secretary of State John Kerry said during a hearing Wednesday in
the House of Representatives that counties in the Arab world have
offered to foot the entire bill for a U. S. military mission that
destroys the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.
With respect to Arab countries offering to bear costs and to
assist, the answer is profoundly yes, Kerry said. They have. That
offer is on the table.
Kerry, with a cadre of anti-war activists sitting behind him and
holding red- painted hands aloft in protest, declined to name the
countries that have proposed opening their purses.
U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry, an anti-war protester
himself 40 years ago, is cast in the role of war consigliere to the
president
U. S. Secretary of State John Kerry, an anti-war protester
himself 40 years ago, is cast in the role of war consigliere to the
president. He said Wednesday that Arab countries had offered to
pay Americas expenses for a military operation if it ousts Bashar
al-Assad from Syria
The guided-missile destroyer USS Barry, foreground, is one
of four US Navy destroyers to be deployed in the Mediterranean
Sea on Sept. 3, all of which are combat ready against Syria if the
order for a strike is given.
Florida Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen had asked Kerry
to comment on the expenses related to carrying out attacks on
Syria if Congress were to authorize them.
Following through on a use-of-force resolution, she said,
could potentially cost ... billions.
But Kerry said other nations that see Assad as a destabilizing
force in the region have proposed to cover the costs.
Assad launched chemical attack in moment of panic because
he was scared rebels would take Damascus, say spies as Russia
sends missile cruiser to Mediterranean Could Syrian defector pro-
vide proof Assad used chemical weapons on his own people?
The calamity of the century: Syrian civil war prompts worlds
biggest refugee crisis as UN reveals TWO MILLION people have
fled fighting.
As for the details of the offer, and the proposal on the table,
Ros-Lehtinen asked Kerry, what are the figures we are talking
about?
We dont know what action we [will be] engaged in right
now, Kerry replied, but they have been quite significant. I mean,
very significant.
In fact, some of them have said that if the U. S. is prepared
to go do the whole thing, the way weve done it previously in other
places, theyll carry that cost. Thats how dedicated they are to
this.
Kerry: Arab countries willing to pay for US attack on Syria
Turkish soldiers already regularly patrol a long border with Syria,
making that nation one of several with an interest in seeing Assad
depart the region
Turkish soldiers already regularly patrol a long border with
Syria, making that nation one of several with an interest in seeing
Assad depart the region Assad met Sept. 1 with Alaeddin
Boroujerdi (L), who chairs the Iranian Shura Councils Committee
for Foreign Policy and National Security. Iran had sent senior law-
makers to Damascus as a sign of solidarity
Not helping: Assad met Sept. 1 with Alaeddin Boroujerdi (L),
who chairs the Iranian Shura Councils Committee for Foreign
Policy and National Security. Iran had sent senior lawmakers to
Damascus as a sign of solidarity
U. S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was a dogged questioner,
demanding to know how much a military action in Syria would
cost. It was her line of questioning that led Kerry to disclose that
other nations had offered to cover the bills
U. S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was a dogged questioner,
demanding to know how much a military action in Syria would
cost. It was her line of questioning that led Kerry to disclose that
other nations had offered to cover the bills
Kerry quickly clarified that the Pentagon was not planning to
shake a tin cup in the Middle East in the hope of collecting dona-
tions.
Obviously, that is not in the cards and nobody is talking about
it, he said. But they are talking about taking seriously getting this
job done.
Kerry also closed the loop on an embarrassing episode from
his Senate testimony on Tuesday, when he said he wouldnt rule
out the use of ground troops if hostilities in Syria were to escalate.
There will be no boots on the ground, he said Wednesday.
The president has said that again and again. And there is
nothing in this authorization that should contemplate it. And, we
reiterate, no boots on the ground.
MailOnline asked three different defense and national security
analysts to estimate the cost of a 90-day military action in Syria,
to include - at minimum - small arms for anti-Assad resistance
groups, missiles and armed drones launched from the
Mediterranean Sea, and military flights over Syria, launched from
Turkey, after weapons stockpiles and anti-aircraft positions are
destroyed.
While cautioning that their estimates must not be attributed to
them by name, and with a caveat expressed by one analyst that
this is all educated guesswork, the estimates ranged from $5 to
$21 billion.
Youd think rocket and jet fuel would be cheaper in that part
of the world, said one, but no such luck. This wont be a cheap
mission.
Kerry isnt saying which Arab world leader or leaders offered
to pay for a U. S.- led invasion of Syria, but candidates include
Sheikh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain (L), Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdo? an of Turkey (C), and President Michel
Suleiman of Lebanon. Those withe the most money to spend
include King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and Emir Sabah IV Al-
Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait. (David Martosko,
dailymail.co.uk)
The Death
Merchants of
Tel Aviv
GILAD ATZMON
Haaretz reported today that there are more than 6,800 arms
exporters working in Israel. As of the end of 2012, there were
6,684 individuals dealing with security exports in 1,006 compa-
nies and 312 independent businesses. The Israeli Defence Export
Controls Agency issued 1,900 marketing permits and 8,716
export permits.
Apparently some 6,684 Israelis are making a living selling
death around the world. They are serving an industry that pro-
duces more than 150,000 jobs. However, the most crucial ques-
tion here is how did the Jewish State become a death factory?
Early Zionism promised, indeed, to bring to the world a new Jew
- a productive, proletarian authentic human being driven by ethics
and humanism. But, it didnt take long for the Jewish State to
reveal its real supremacist inclinations and plunderous pragma-
tism.
By now, Israel isnt just a regional threat. It actually operates
as a military industrial lab. On a daily basis it celebrates its
destructive powers on the expense of Israels neighbours and the
Palestinians, just in order to find new markets for its growing
class of death merchants.
Is it a coincidence that the Jewish States economy is based
on weapon dealing, organ harvesting and blood diamonds? I will
let you judge.
(Based on The Wandering Who? A Study Of Jewish Identity
Politics, available on Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk; IDF
General . Yoav Galant Discusses Proportions -- A Segment from
The Lab -- watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI0Nq9YJa3c&feature=share
&list=UUhSfyl2qecQh1cnOkMbgd7Q
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INTERNATIONAL The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 17 www.milligazette.com
MAX BLUMENTHAL
President Barack Obamas August 31 announcement that he
would seek congressional authorization to strike Syria has com-
plicated an aggressive Israeli campaign to render a US attack
inevitable. While the Israelis are far from the only force in bringing
the US to the brink of war - obviously Assads own actions are the
driving factor - their dubious intelligence assessments have
proven pivotal.
On April 25, the head of the Israeli armys Military Intelligence
research and analysis division, Brig. Gen. Itai Brun, delivered a
high profile lecture at the military-linked Institute for National
Security Studies. To the best of our professional understanding,
the [Syrian] regime has used lethal chemical weapons, Brun
declared, referring to March 19 attacks near Damascus and
Aleppo.
The very fact that they have used chemical weapons without
any appropriate reaction, Brun said, is a very worrying develop-
ment, because it might signal that this is legitimate.
The stunning statement by the Israeli armys top intelligence
analyst was significantly stronger than suspicions expressed
days before by the UK and France about the Syrian regimes use
of chemical weapons. It was clearly aimed at Obama, who had
declared in the summer of 2012 that chemical weapons attacks
on civilian targets would transgress a red line and trigger US
military action. But the White House pushed back against the
Israeli ploy, dispatching Secretary of State John Kerry to demand
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supply more conclusive evi-
dence.
I dont know yet what the facts are, Kerry said after a phone
call with Netanyahu, I dont think anybody knows what they are.
Specious intelligence brightens the red line
Flash forward to the August 21 Ghouta massacre, where over
1000 Syrian civilians died without any sign of external wounds in
a series of attacks. As in April, Israel has come forward with intel-
ligence supposedly proving that the victims of the attacks died
from nerve gas deployed by units from Assads Syrian Arab Army
(SAA).
On August 24, Israels Channel 2 broadcast a report claiming
that the 155th Brigade of the 4th Armored Division of Assads
SAA fired the nerve gas shells on Ghouta. Channel 2 added that
Israel was relaying its concerns to Washington, suggesting an
urgent demand for US action. The report was echoed by an
August 30 article in Germanys Focus magazine claiming that
Israeli armys Unit 8200 - a cyber-warfare division that functions
much like the American NSA - had intercepted communications
of top Syrian officials ordering the chemical attack.
Oddly, neither outlet was able to reproduce audio or any
quotes of the conversation between the Syrian officials. Channel
2 did not appear to cite any source at all - it referred only to the
assessment in Israel - while Focus relied on an unnamed former
Mossad official for its supposed bombshell. The definitive nature
of the Israeli intelligence on Ghouta stood in stark contrast to the
kind introduced by other US allies, which was entirely circum-
stantial in nature. At the same time, it relied on murky sources and
consisted of vague assertions.
The Assad regime may indeed be responsible for the Ghouta
massacre, but Israels military-intelligence apparatus does not
exactly have a reputation for trustworthiness. (Consider, for
example, the Israeli armys shameless attempt to link the Gaza
Freedom Flotilla to Al Qaeda by plastering Israeli media with crude
and easily discredited propaganda, always sourced to anony-
mous national security officials.) Yet in his determination to see
the US attack the country he recently referred to as Irans testing
ground, Netanyahu appeared to be succeeding in his campaign
to bring Obamas red line back into focus.
The rush to war, interrupted
On August 26, an Israeli delegation containing Netanyahus
National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror and a collection of Shin
Bet and top army officials arrived in Washington for a series of
meetings coordinated by US National Security Advisor Susan
Rice. The agenda was to plan for the aftermath of a US strike on
Syria that was already inevitable, at least from the perspective of
the meetings participants.
The following day, Vice President Joseph Biden became the
highest level US official to blame Assad for Ghouta, declaring,
There is no doubt who is responsible for this heinous use of
chemical weapons in Syria: The Syrian regime. The Obama
administration supported Bidens claim by citing classified com-
munications intercepted from Syrian officials - intelligence that
appeared to have been supplied by the Israelis.
Giora Inbar, a former Israeli intelligence officer, told Channel 2
that the US was not only aware of Israels intelligence gathering
efforts in Syria, it relies upon it.
With Kerry and Rice joining Biden in the spotlight to make the
case for bombing Syria, the White House released an intelligence
report assess[ing] with high confidence that the Syrian govern-
ment carried out the chemical weapons attack against opposition
elements in the Damascus suburbs on August 21.
The content of the report was extremely general in nature,
containing a caveat that some intelligence had been omitted to
protect sources and methods. One of the reports strongest pas-
sages referred to intercepted communications involving a senior
official intimately familiar with the offensive who confirmed that
chemical weapons were used by the regime on August 21 and
was concerned with the U. N. inspectors obtaining evidence.
Though no source was named, the language tracks almost exact-
ly with the Israeli intelligence leaked to Channel 2 and Focus mag-
azine. It was August 30 when the report appeared. By this point,
the question was not whether the US would bomb Syria, but how
soon. And then Obama blinked.
Iran blackmail, the coming campaign
Now that Obama has turned to Congress to authorize force
against Syria, he is under relentless attack in Israel, with a chorus
of pundits and politicians hammering him for his act of betrayal
and cowardice in the face of evil. Amidst the din of condemnation,
a talking point has emerged that will likely figure at the heart of
Israels case to Congress and the American public this week.
The message was neatly summarized in the headline of a
piece by the Likud-friendly correspondent Herb Keinon in the
Jerusalem Post: Weak world response on Syria boosts chance
of strong Israeli action on Iran. Referring to Obamas decision
and the British parliaments vote against participating in a strike
on Syria, Keinon wrote, That kind of international dallying is not
the type of behavior that will instill confidence in Israeli leaders
that they can count on the world when it comes to Iran.
At Haaretz, Amos Harel reinforced the talking point in a piece
of analysis that claimed Arabs perceive Obama as weak - but
which cited absolutely zero Arabs. Running through a litany of
examples of supposed American weakness, Harel concluded,
its no wonder that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is
becoming increasingly persuaded that no one will come to his aid
if Iran suddenly announces that it is beginning to enrich uranium
to 90 percent.
The threat of a unilateral Israeli strike on Iran if the US does
not act on Syria is slowly seeping into American media, and will
almost certainly grow more pronounced this week as pro-Israel
pundits and members of the Obama administration unite on their
message. AIPAC may also join the push for congressional author-
ization, a move the night flower-style lobby managed to avoid dur-
ing the run-up to invading Iraq. If the Israel lobby is forced into the
open, it could hold the prospect of an attack on Iran like a gun to
the heads of members of Congress, warning them that the price
of inaction is a regional conflagration.
Though Congress will be under unrelenting pressure from
powerful forces to authorize force, the vote provides an unprece-
dented opportunity for opponents of US military intervention in
the Middle East to mobilize. Anti-war forces may not be able to
match the financial muscle or public relations power of pro-war
elements, but they have opinion firmly on their side. And a direct
conflict with the American public may be the one fight Netanyahu
Dubious Intelligence and Iran Blackmail: How
Israel is Driving the US to War in Syria
The threat of a unilateral Israeli strike
on Iran if the US does not act on Syria
is slowly seeping into American
media, and will almost certainly grow
more pronounced this week as pro-
Israel pundits and members of the
Obama administration unite on their
message. AIPAC may also join the
push for congressional authorization, a
move the night flower-style lobby man-
aged to avoid during the run-up to
invading Iraq. If the Israel lobby is
forced into the open, it could hold the
prospect of an attack on Iran like a gun
to the heads of members of Congress,
warning them that the price of inaction
is a regional conflagration.
KARAMATULLAH K. GHORI
If there's even one conscionable man still
left on the Nobel Peace Award committee
in Oslo, Norway, he should be asking the
committee to take back the Nobel Peace
Prize given to Obama soon after his elec-
tion. He will have a strong case for doing
so. Obama was arguably given the award-
without any genuine or quantifiable
accomplishment of his in the noble pursuit
of global peace-in the hope that this exalt-
ed recognition would spur him into action
as a crusader of peace and, in the long
run, he'd do something worthwhile to deserve the award given him
prematurely. But five years down the road here we have the former
constitutional law professor making a mockery of both peace and
international law. On top of it, he has been thumbing his nose at
anyone who took his election rhetoric seriously and expected him
to be what he'd boasted he'd be: different from his inane and half-
literate predecessor. George W. Bush had, at least, one great quali-
ty about him: he was like an open book. His phobias, his predilec-
tions, his obsessions were all well-known and predictable. In other
words, there were no angularities about him. Consequently, liberal
America and its global counterparts never expected miracles from
him.
Obama, in contrast, had come to the Oval Office with millions
of expectations riding with his cavalcade. People expected him to be
the antithesis of Bush; not a war-monger but a peace-maker. The
idealism that had propelled him to prominence from obscurity want-
ed to see him breaking new paths in America's foreign relations and
bring back to the country that power and prestige that Bush and his
neo cons had recklessly squandered.
However, notwithstanding his high-sounding rhetoric and ora-
tory Obama has been striving the past five years solely in one direc-
tion: to become acceptable to the right-wing extremists and conser-
vatives, people who never trusted him and will not trust him no mat-
ter how hard he may strive to steer his policies in their direction.
So the only record Obama can be proud of-in a macabre and
convoluted sense-is his constant endeavour to please the conser-
vatives and the neo cons. His foreign policy, especially the one in
regard to the Muslim world, looks just like a carbon copy of the
Bush era-if not more devious, ruthless, myopic and hypocritical.
Nothing could bring this over-arching sense of the debacle of
American foreign policy under Obama into a sharper relief and con-
text than his obscene and incontinent urge to unleash the full fury of
US military might against Bashar Al-Assad's regime in Syria.
The uprising of the Syrian people against the dictatorial Baathist
regime led by Bashar Al-Assad isn't a recent thing. It has been going
on-with all its gory fallout and implications-for well over two and a
half years. In the process, more than a hundred thousand people
have been killed in the cross fire between the uprising militants and
forces of the state determined to finish off their revolt. More than
two million people-according to the latest figures released by UN
and its agencies-have either been internally displaced or forced to
seek refuge in the neighbouring countries-Turkey, Jordan and
Lebanon.
But this enormous toll in human suffering and blood touched
any sensitive nerve in Obama. All this while he kept repeating him-
self that he wouldn't get involved, actively, into the Syrian imbroglio
and didn't foresee a military role for US in the bloody civil war
spreading like a wild fire. He gave every impression-or at least
feigned to-that he didn't have any appetite to take US into another
military adventure in the Arab world. His partisans-whose ranks
have been thinning all the time because of his duplicitous policy-and
nave followers believed that and thought he meant what he said, for
a change.
However, at some stage of the Syrian crisis, he did something
very foolish. He, in rhetorical flourish, perhaps, drew a red line in the
sand and said he'd take action if Assad and his regime crossed it.
The line drawn by him focused on the use of chemical weapons
which-his ersatz idealism or opportunism suggested to him-would
be a crime against humanity and invite the wrath of US in a swift
backlash.
What was or is the rationale or logic behind this hangover of
Obama with chemical weapons, the pundits ask? Is the killing of
innocent people by chemical weapons any different from other
heinous means and weapons used all over the world-and used in
Syria too---to target a cruel and dictatorial regime's enemies and
opponents? And which student of post WWII history would be so
nave as not to know that US used deadly chemical agents-Agent
Orange, in particular-with complete impunity against the
Vietnamese during the Vietnam war, when millions of hectares of
jungles and arable land were defoliated to starve and maim the
Vietnamese?
What about the criminal use of depleted uranium-a deadly
agent that has a life-cycle of millions of years-by US and Britain in
the First Gulf War-of 1990-91-against innocent Iraqis? Women of
Basra-where weapons tipped with depleted uranium were used
indiscriminately-are still giving birth to deformed children. Who
bears the burden of this ongoing crime against humanity?
And hasn't US been complicit in the use of chemical weapons
by dictators and tyrants of its liking-America's SOBs, to use the
famous terminology of a prominent American president-in recent
memory? Saddam Hussein-when he was a blue-eyed boy of
Washington-was given a free hand to use chemical weapons
against the Iranians and Iraq's own Kurdish people during the Iran-
Iraq War, of 1980-88. American military advisers and experts used
to sit in the Defence Ministry in Baghdad during that war to advise
and assist Saddam's generals in the selection of weapons to sow
terror in the hearts of the Iranians and the Kurds.
So what makes the alleged use of chemical weapons by Bashar
Al Assad such a novel crime that Obama has been forced to say
good-bye to his policy of no-involvement in Syria and suddenly
threaten to unleash his full fury against him?
For a simple answer, one may refer back to the earlier part of
this discourse. Obama is desperate to please the hawks and war-
mongers-like that incorrigible Senator McCain-who have been bay-
ing for Syrian blood and breathing down ever so hard down
Obama's neck.
But the answer is a little more complex than that. Obama has
not only his national hawks and war-mongers to please and placate
but also those Arab 'friends' of US that have been ever so nervous
about the Arab Spring. However, their appetite to roll back any
symptoms of it has been enormously whetted by the 'success' of
the murderous Egyptian generals' subversion of Egypt's first popu-
larly elected President Morsi, a betrayal of the Arab people whole-
heartedly backed by autocratic tyrants.
Obama's pandering to rich conservative potentates of the Gulf-
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar et al---in the wake of the Arab Spring
brings out his hypocrisy in its fullest dimensions. His tacit endorse-
ment of the Egyptian putsch against a democratic and elected
leader is nothing short of criminal complicity. The deadly reign of
silence from Washington on the bloodbath of innocent Egyptians at
the hands of their military cabal is simply deafening. But more than
anything else, it's, once again, the familiar and all-too-well-known
repetition of an American president bending over backward to earn
brownie points from Israel and its partisans in the American oli-
garchy of power.
It's-as reported by various independent and establishment
sources-Israeli intelligence that has convinced Obama and his
hawks that the Bashar regime alone is guilty of using chemical
weapons. And since Israel's word is Gospel truth for Obama and
American ruling elite, in general, it's deemed fool-proof and cast-
iron.
Obama's rush to punish Syria has obvious Israeli provenance.
That has emboldened him to virtually tell UN, 'pox on your house.'
UN has been told, in so many words, that Obama doesn't need
expert analysis or report by UN inspectors. They hadn't even begun
to take samples in the impugned areas of chemical use in Syria
when Obama audaciously announced that he wasn't going to wait
for their report. He doesn't need it because he's already convinced
of Syrian guilt and, hence, ready to be the sole judge, jury and hang-
man.
But the man's diffidence and prevarication never lets go of him.
So, while the law professor in him thumbed his nose at UN, inter-
national law and international convention, the weak and hesitant
president quickly changed tack and announced he would be seek-
ing an endorsement from Congress for his plan to rain terror on
Syria. George W. Bush must be sniggering: his successor boasted
he'd be different. But he's no more and no better than Bush-lite.
As these lines were being written word on the wire from
Washington has come that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
has largely endorsed Obama's war agenda. He may rain terror from
the air to his heart's content, the endorsement says, but is not
authorised to land US boots on Syrian soil. That work has already
been consigned to American proxies heavily armed and financed by
the likes of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Obama may feel elated that his gamble to bring Congress on
board to beat the war drums with him is going to pay off. But it was
never in doubt. War is America's favourite sport, as so many
American commentators and pundits have been arguing since
Obama started flexing his muscles. Warring and sowing terror in far
off lands is what the Americans do best. And, as President
Eisenhower had warned 6 decades ago, the military-industrial
establishment is always there to egg it on; its own survival depends
on keeping American engaged, perpetually, in military adventures.
But one is entitled to ask what would Obama and his hawks
gain by punishing Assad for defying the Obama red line? What
would come the day-after Assad's missile batteries and his air fields
have been knocked out and bombed to smithereens?
Obama may soon discover, if he hasn't already, that while his
regional allies-Israel and S. Arabia-are at one that the Assad regime
be beaten into dust their agendas for post-Assad Syria are poles
apart.
Israel's agenda is to bleed Syria slowly and painfully, so that all
factions may be emaciated in the process of a low-intensity but pro-
longed civil war. The Israeli plan is anathema to a Salafi takeover of
Syria because, then, the victors may soon enough turn against their
regional mentor.
A Salafi dominated Syria is the last thing Israel may want.
However, the principal interest of S. Arabia is focused on levelling
the field in favour of their Salafi protgs taking control of Syria after
Bashar Al Assad is gone. How would Obama reconcile these con-
flicting plans is a million dollar question on the checklist of pundits
poring over the Syrian imbroglio. It's no longer a far-fetched possi-
bility that the conflicting ambitions of Israel and S. Arabia may
plunge the region into a deadly sectarian conflict, with uncertain fall-
out on regional and global politics.
But the more jaded and well-informed pundits are convinced
that Syria is still a side-show for Obama and the Pentagon fuelling
his war-mongering. The ultimate target, the so-called big prize they
are after-have been for some time-is Iran. Syria, in American calcu-
lations, is the jugular to Iran and must be pounded in order to pave
the way to bring Iran to its heels. Robert Fisk, the ace British jour-
nalist reporting from the scene of action for London's newspaper,
the Independent has dilated on the theme with great authority and
candour. It seems the Russians, who have thus far shielded Assad,
are also being able to read the writing on the wall, even though it
may be in invisible ink. President Putin hasn't pulled any punches in
calling John Kerry, Obama's Secretary of State, a liar who peddled
blatant lies about the Syrian regime in his testimony before the
Senate.
Putin's language was certainly strong, leaving no doubt about
his utter disgust with Obama's war-mongering. But Russia still
wouldn't be inclined to cross swords with US openly, or in any way
prevent Obama from implementing his prepared plans against Syria.
But what Putin might do-and pundits are positive he will-is to beef
up the defences of both Syria and Iran by supplying them with
sophisticated missile batteries to match those of US, thus triggering
an indirect confrontation between two super powers.
Obama's brinkmanship has the unsettling potential of mush-
rooming into a major conflict. It may degenerate, quickly, into a
regional war dragging other players into its vortex. The Pandora Box
thus opened may unleash forces that Obama and the future histori-
ans may rue as beyond the control of any one player. An
Armageddon may just be around the corner.
Obamas Syrian Hangover
18 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 INTERNATIONAL www.milligazette.com
What about the criminal use of depleted uranium-a deadly agent that has a life-cycle of millions
of years-by US and Britain in the First Gulf War-of 1990-91-against innocent Iraqis? Women of
Basra-where weapons tipped with depleted uranium were used indiscriminately-are still giving
birth to deformed children. Who bears the burden of this ongoing crime against humanity?
Noam Chomsky
Weighs In On
Syria Strike
RYAN GRIM
Washington: A U. S.-led attack on Syria without
United Nations support would be a war crime
regardless of congressional approval, Noam
Chomsky, the antiwar activist and author, said
in response to President Barack Obama's
announcement that he would seek Hill
approval.
"As international support for Obama's deci-
sion to attack Syria has collapsed, along with
the credibility of government claims, the
administration has fallen back on a standard
pretext for war crimes when all else fails: the
credibility of the threats of the self-designat-
ed policeman of the world," Chomsky told
HuffPost in an email.
Chomsky recently traveled to the region
to learn more about the Syria crisis, and his
comments there led some to believe he was
open to military intervention if negotiations
failed to produce peace. "I believe you should
choose the negotiating track first, and should
you fail, then moving to the second option"
backing the rebels -- "becomes more accept-
able," he said. But his comments to HuffPost
indicate that he remains opposed to any mili-
tary action that came without U. N. approval.
"[T]hat aggression without UN authoriza-
tion would be a war crime, a very serious
one, is quite clear, despite tor tured effor ts to
invoke other crimes as precedents," he
added. Liberals more associated with the
establishment than Chomsky, who have nev-
er theless tended to be critical of the presi-
dent's foreign policy, cheered his decision to
involve Congress as a step away from an
increasingly imperial presidency and toward
more democratic accountability of war mak-
ing.
Chomsky upended the field of linguistics
with a devastating critique of B. F. Skinner in
1959 that changed the way people think
about human cognitive development. He has
led a parallel career as a leading anarcho-
syndicalist author, historian and activist.
'The American
Jewish Cocoon'
"In 2010, an Orthodox professor of Jewish phi-
losophy named Charles Manekin noticed a
photo in The Wall Street Journal. It was of
American Jewish students, likely in Israel for a
year between high school and college, scream-
ing at a Palestinian woman in Sheikh Jarrah, a
neighborhood in East Jerusalem where settlers
have evicted Palestinians from their homes. In
response, Manekin wrote an open letter to
American Jewish leaders entitled 'Recognizing
the Sin of Bigotry, and Eradicating It.' In it, he
proposed that Jewish 'schools should invite
Palestinian refugees to speak to the students
about their experiences.' The speeches, he
explained, would not be 'about politics' but
'about humanity.'
The beauty of Manekin's proposal is that
Jews, of all people, can relate to stories of dis-
persion and dispossession. To have your fami-
ly torn apart in war -- to struggle to maintain
your culture, your dignity, your faith in God, in
the face of forces over which you have no con-
trol -- is something Jews should instinctively
understand. Indeed, in strange ways, encoun-
tering Palestinians -- the very people we are
trained to see as alien -- can reconnect us to
the deepest parts of ourselves. Tommy Lapid,
the late father of Israel's most recent political
sensation, Yair Lapid, was a hawk. But one day
in 2004, watching an elderly woman in Gaza's
Rafah refugee camp searching on hands and
knees for her medicines in the ruins of a house
destroyed by Israeli bulldozers, he blurted out
something astonishing. He said she reminded
him of his Hungarian grandmother.
One hundred members of Sarah Roy's
extended family were murdered in the
Holocaust. Growing up, Roy, now a Harvard
researcher, knew little about her father's experi-
ences in the Chelmno death camp because 'he
could not speak about them without breaking
down.' It was living among Palestinians, she
says, that brought her closer to her parents, not
because Israel's treatment of the Palestinians
echoes the Nazi treatment of Jews -- it obvi-
ously does not -- but because for the first time
she encountered people utterly terrified of the
state that enjoyed life-and-death power over
their lives." (Peter Beinart, The New York
Review of Books)
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20 The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES www.milligazette.com
SHAHNAAZ BEMATH
T
hinking positive can work miracles. You may have been
told to guard your thoughts, but felt the advice to be
pointless. After all, your thoughts are private. How can they
possibly affect someone else? The fact is, thoughts do
seem to boomerang in some mysterious ways. Science has not
found a way to measure them as they have invisible sound waves.
In order to understand how positive thinking works, and how
to use it efficiently, it is important to understand the power of neg-
ative thinking. Negative thoughts and tensions are like birds. We
cannot stop them from flying near us but, we can certainly stop
them from making a nest in our mind.
The mind can be directed towards positive thinking or nega-
tive thinking. The power of thought is neutral. The way one thinks
determines whether the results are positive and beneficial or neg-
ative and harmful. It is the same of energy acting in different ways.
Persistent inner work can change habits of thoughts. You
must be willing to put energy and time to avoid negative thinking
and pursue positive thinking, in order to change your mental atti-
tude. Think of those things which are true, honest, just, pure, love-
ly; in other words fill your mind with noble and good thoughts,
leaving no room for negative ones to take root.
The Noble Messenger (pbuh) of Allah has reported that Allah,
the Most Wise, said: I treat my servant how he thinks of Me
(Hadith- Bukhari/ Muslim). In other words, Allah taala treats His
servant in the way he thinks of Allah, what he hopes from and how
he sets his hopes on Allah. So, those who come positive and with
a great hope to the door of Mercy of the Almighty the Creator will
Insha Allah not return them empty-handed.
The most powerful weapon you have at your disposal is Dua
(prayer). Use it and use it often. The basis of prayer is to lift us
and situations to Almighty Allah -- an inner act of visualisation. A
further step is to contemplate on the beautiful teachings of Islam
-- this involves controlling and directing out thoughts. A simple
way to think of this is to imagine your mind to be like a garden.
That garden can be spoilt and overrun by negative and destructive
thoughts (weeds), or it can become a place of peace and harmo-
ny by the cultivation of flowers (uplifting thoughts). The key is to
think good for and about others.
Your mind is a garden. Your thoughts are the seeds. You can
grow flowers. Or you can grow weeds.
Are you prone to depression? Do you see your life as a hope-
less mess... consider yourself a failure? If you do so, then you will
close your mind, see no opportunities, and behave and react in
such ways as to repel people and opportunities. You let the power
of negative thinking rule your life. Try replacing such negative
thoughts with positive ones. Talk to your beloved Allah. Allah did
not create a lock without a key, and Allah doesnt give you prob-
lems without their solutions. Trust Him! While recognising these
problems, picture yourself as mastering each one. Visualise your-
self handling each situation creatively; being a success; gradually
allowing your given potential to blossom. The beloved Messenger
(pbuh) of Allah advised us: if you look forward to good things,
they will happen Inshaa Allah. Thinking positive is a very impor-
tant element of the Islamic life. Always think that Allah has a plan
for you. If something goes wrong, it will probably lead you to
something better. He is working things out for you, even if you
dont feel it or expect it. Have faith and be ever thankful to all that
Allah has given you. Where faith and hope grows, miracles blos-
soms, Allahu Akbar!
At first, this kind of thought-control may seem like an inner
game but youll be surprised at how, slowly but surely, your
outer circumstances begin to change. For thought precedes
action, and the right thoughts precede a chain of good actions.
Destructive thoughts, on the other hand, act as poisoning agents
for yourself and all around you. They embitter and limit the thinker,
preventing him or her from developing good relationships,
because others sense the wrong thoughts telepathically, and shy
away instinctively.
Conversely, if you greet people with the thought that theyll
probably be glad to know, such a positive thought will affect their
response. If youre afraid of someone, replace that fear with a
thought which recognises that the persons given potential core
is probably hidden under layers of unhappiness and wrong think-
ing. Silently bless that person and pray for him/her, and ask that
his or her true self be given a chance to manifest.
A friend was once terribly upset because someone was
spreading false rumours about her. She could not deny the rumour
publicly. All she could do was pray for the woman, try to think
about her charitably and visualise her acting differently. She did
this consistently for some weeks. One day, unexpectedly, the
woman phoned her to apologise and say shed been mistaken,
Subhaan-Allah! It seemed like a miracle! But right thinking can
work miracles... Life has many different chapters for us. One bad
chapter doesnt mean the end of the book. Be positive and keep
your faith in Allah.
Once we function in harmony with Allahs beautiful laws of
love and forgiveness and this includes spreading good, true
and beautiful thoughts and always doing good deeds to others
our lives will flower as they were meant to.
Think positive, Think different. Dont waste your precious
energy on negative thoughts." Decide that from today, from this
very moment, you are leaving negative thinking behind, and start-
ing on the way towards positive thinking and behaviour. It is never
too late. Soon your life will turn into a fascinating, wonderful jour-
ney. Wake up every morning with the thought that something
beautiful is about to happen.
Lets welcome each day with a smile and bid it farewell with
a smile. We thank Allah for His blessings. Take advantage of our
positive energy and employ them in doing well in this life. Lets
learn, read and after that, we will find the entire universe will
extend to us its heart and the whole world will hug us with its
beauty... Subhaan-Allah! There is something beautiful in life. You
just have to find it....be positive and it will find you!
Life has many different chapters for us. One bad chapter doesnt mean the end of the book. Be positive and keep your faith in Allah. Once we
function in harmony with Allahs beautiful laws of love and forgiveness and this includes spreading good, true and beautiful thoughts and
always doing good deeds to others our lives will flower as they were meant to.
Islamic Dress Code
Dress is a blessing which Allah has conferred on human
beings only. Animals and birds cannot wear good dress. Allah
has adorned them with feathers and colourful skin. But they
cannot wear different dress on different occasions or sea-
sons. We must thank Allah for giving the lovely gift of clothes
to cover and for modesty. Covering of our private parts makes
us superior to other creatures of Allah. It is our honour and
virtue. Different dresses in different seasons protect us from
vagaries of climate. Warm clothes in winter, light and thin
clothes in summer and covering of umbrella and such other
things in rain are blessings from Allah. We are people with
distinction.
Dress should make us look modest, humble and graceful.
Dress should not display arrogance and pride. It should be an
emblem of our righteousness and devotion to Allah. Our
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has taught us to put on our dress
starting the right side first. Wear the right sleeve first in our
upper garment. Then put the left arm in the left sleeve. Put the
right foot first in the lower garment. Shoes also should be
worn in the same manner. Right foot first and left foot second.
One must shake the dress while he wears it because, there
are chances of hidden insects hiding in it. Attention should be
paid while wearing our socks. We must shake them well. It is
important to do it while we are travelling. White dress makes
men look cleaner. It suites everybody. This colour shows
stains immediately making us change the dress. It is a colour
of purity. Dark colours and colour catching attention are made
for women. Women can wear attractive clothes in front of
ladies and their husbands or men with blood relations and
men she cannot legally marry. When she goes out, she must
look modest, cultured, graceful and elegant. There should be
a scarf on her head and her bosom. She should not wear thin
or tight dress to disclose her body. She must not display the
beauty of her body in front of the world. The dress should not
show your pride and haughtiness. It should be simple, neat
and elegant. The length of pyjama or lungi should fall above
the ankles so to not to become dirty. Physical cleanliness
leads us to purity of soul. Men must not wear silk. Silk dress
is desirable for women. Women have the right to look beauti-
ful but they should never wear revealing garment to allure
men. Men and women should not adopt the same fashions in
dress. Men should look like men and women should look like
women. Both have different qualities in them and they must
enhance the beauty of their different qualities. Simple dress
does not mean show of poverty and untidiness. One must not
wear rags. Such dresses let the soul grow dull. Simple dress
means clean and good dress to boost your confidence. You
dont need to look like a beggar. You must look elegant and
must thank Allah to make you look good and presentable. You
should wear a complete dress during Prayers even if you are
alone in your house. When you Prostrate to Allah you should
look presentable. Never wear one shoe, or one sock and
never look careless in your dress. Proper buttons are needed.
Give good clothes to your servants and maids and teach them
to remain clean and tidy. Try to donate school uniforms
among needy children. Our children are great gifts of Allah.
Children should be taught to remain clean. Hygiene is very
important. When you wear new clothes, you must thank.
Muslims are known for their culture of clothing. Muslims are
known to cover their private parts. Islam has taught us to be
respectable and graceful.
NAZNEEN O. SHERAWALA
Surat - 395007
Gujarat
The Miracle of Positive Thinking
BOOKS The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 21 www.milligazette.com
Book: Destiny Disrupted : A History of the World through Islamic
Eyes
Publishers: Public Affairs, New York
Year: 2011
Pages: 390
Price: $12.06/paperback
ISBN: 13-978-58648-606-8
Destiny Disrupted is a must read for those who are concerned
about the questions and issues which the Muslims are facing
today.
History has many lessons in store for humanity. It enables us
to gain knowledge about the doings of the former generations on
one hand, while on the other hand it guides us in our own person-
al and collective lives. The knowledge about the mistakes commit-
ted by the past generations will certainly stop us from repeating
them again, while their successes and glories will encourage us to
follow their course of action on different situations.
As youths it is very important for us to know the history of our
forefathers and to read and analyze their lives critically. Today
many voluminous books are available on the history of Islam and
Muslims. Every book has its own message and tries to convey or
impress upon the reader some particular ideology or concept.
There are a very meagre number of books as per my knowledge
which narrate the history of Islam and Muslims in an unbiased and
in a manner receptive to the English-speaking western society.
The demand to know and understand Islam and Muslims after
the event of 9/11 has increased drastically. Hence, books and
contents which narrate our history in a different style leaving the
old traditional ways is the need of the hour.
Destiny Disrupted written by Prof. Tamim Ansari is one such
masterpiece which illustrates the history of the Muslim world in a
very precise and lucid manner. The authors narration about the
different events of the Muslim history is very balanced and well-
researched. The book begins by focusing on the two parallel nar-
ratives of history existing in the west and the east. When a west-
erner is asked about the history of humanity, he explains it in the
sequence of Evolution - Civilizations - Classical Age - Dark Age -
Renaissance - Revolutions - World Wars - Cold War and so on. On
the other side of the world, history is known to people as Ancient
Civilizations - Birth of Islam - Caliphate - Crusades - Rebirth -
Defeat of East by West - Reform Movements and so on. Prof.
Ansari analyses these two narratives of history existing parallel to
each other. The fascinating thing is that neither of the two narra-
tives has much awareness about the other. As a result both have
always been in opposition and in conflict with each other.
Taking the worlds geography into consideration, the author
explains how these two narratives of world history evolved.
The book then briefly highlights the events of the Prophets life
starting from his early childhood, then his appointment as a
Prophet, the Hijrah, the early battles, conquest of Mecca and final-
ly his demise. Then it takes us to the Caliphate era, focusing on
the political scenario at that time and how differences and con-
flicts began erupting among the nascent Muslim community. The
author remarkably narrates how and why such conflicts arose
among the Muslims which ultimately ended up in the replacement
of the Caliphate to Sultanates and Kingdoms. Further reading
brings Scholars, Philosophers and Sufis into the scene and how
their understanding of Islam was influenced by the events happen-
ing in the Muslim world.
A reading up till here will make us clear how different ideolo-
gies and interpretations of Islam crept into the community such as
Salafism and Sufism.
The book then narrates the large-scale changes which were
taking place in Europe in the form of industrialization and moder-
nity and how the Muslim world responded to it. After this, began
a series of reform movements among the Muslims to oppose the
tide of western domination over the east.
Apart from movements and organizations, the author has
highlighted on individuals also who had an impact on the Muslim
community.
Finally, discussing on some contemporary questions and
challenges facing Islam and Muslims in todays world, the book
ends with a note of the philosopher Leibniz according to whom the
universe consists of monads, each monad being the whole uni-
verse understood from a particular point of view, and each monad
containing all the others.
The author has made an effort in this book to narrate a com-
mon history for humanity by highlighting the influence of the west-
ern history narrative on its eastern counterpart and vice-versa.
Destiny Disrupted is a must read for those who are con-
cerned about the questions and issues which the Muslims are fac-
ing today. Perhaps the knowledge and understanding of our histo-
ry might enable us in our efforts to do so. (thecompanion.in)
You may read the book online here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1586486063/ref=sib_dp_pt
#reader-link
We supply any
book published
from Delhi.*
*Contact details on page 19
Destiny Disrupted: a history of the world through Muslim eyes
Destiny Disrupted is a
must read for those who
are concerned about the
questions and issues which
the Muslims are facing
today. Perhaps the
knowledge and
understanding of our history might enable
us in our efforts to do so.
Assams
Doubtful Citizens
Fact or
Fiction?
Find out on page 19
COMING SOON:
The Urdu translation
of
Godses Children
by Subhash Gatade
Watch this space!
Western world history largely omits a
whole civilization whose citizens shared
an entirely different narrative for a thou-
sand years. In Destiny Disrupted, Tamim
Ansary tells the rich story of world histo-
ry as the Islamic world saw it, from the
time of Mohammed to the fall of the
Ottoman Empire and beyond. He clarifies
why our civilizations grew up oblivious to
each other, what happened when they
intersected, and how the Islamic world
was affected by its slow recognition that
Europe-a place it long perceived as primi-
tive and disorganized-had somehow
hijacked destiny.
Terrorism Explained
released
The book Terrorism
Explained: A Graphic
account was released here
at Marathi Patrakar Sangh on
19 August 2013 by Nandita
Das. It is book by Ram
Puniyani, Shard Sharma.
Sharad Sharma outlined the
content of the book. It is a
comic presentation of the
theme of terrorism in current
times. The Al Qaeda was
formed by USA to control the
oil wells in West Asia. They
propped up Al Qaeda by using
Salafi version of Islam, in the
specially set up madrasas in
Pakistan, with the help of US
money funnelled by CIA through ISI. Young Afghan Muslim boys were
indoctrinated by distorting the meaning of words Jihad and Kafir. After
the Al Qaeda helped defeat the Russian army in Afghanistan, these ele-
ments of Al Qaeda become very destructive in Pakistan and beyond.
Similarly Hindutva groups, led by Swami Aseemanand organised many
acts of terror, e.g., Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Malegaon, Ajmer blasts
etc. Both the words Islamic terrorism and Hindu Terrorism are essen-
tially wrong.
Irfan Engineer pointed out that the word Islamic terrorism has
been misused to arrest innocent Muslim youth. We need to look at
social phenomenon and understand social values to dispel the
myths. Actor Nandita Das appreciated the effort with hope that
comics will act as a good method of propagation of the truth, it will
go a long way to help dispel the wrong notions about the social
common sense.
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It is pleasing to see such noble work by Milli Gazette to enlighten the peo-
ple by the true news of muslims around the world. Especially with an
unbiased angle of presentation. Anees Ansari
anees.ansari@here.com
Progeny of Yahood?
Now that Shah Saud has, reportedly advocated full support to the U.S.-
trained Egyptian killers of the Ikhwanul Musilimun, can "Ibn-e-Saud" not
be condemned as "Aal-e-Yahood" who stabbed Ummat-e-Islami by being
the dagger of the Britishers for snatching Holy Haramain from our loyal
Tarkish brothers? S. Akhtar, Khanpur Deh - 392150
Memorial to three Congress former presidents
Hakeem Ajmal Khan, Maulana Muhammad Ali and Dr. M. A. Ansari the
three former Congress presidents and national leaders occupy a distin-
guished place in our Nation History. These three lived in Dehi. Hekeem
Ajmal Khan belonged to famous Hakim Sharif Khan's family of Delhi and
Hakeem Sahab presided over the Ahmedabad session of the Congress
and the Khilfat and had duiged these organisation. A number of important
meetings of both these organisations were held at his palatial Haveli Sharif
Manzil at Ballimaran in Old Delhi while Maulana Muhammad Ali alongwith
Gandhiji and his elder brother Shaukat Ali were the most important lead-
ers of the non-co-operation Khilafat Movement which was the first non-
violent revolution. He was the president of the Congress in 1923-4 and
was the moving sprit behind attempts to bring about Hindu-Muslim unity
which had suffered a serious set-back on account of Shuddhi-Shan-
ghatan and Tabligh-Tanzeem movements of 1923-24. It was at his house
in Kucha Chelan that Gandhiji had undertaken fast of 21 days to bring
about Hindu-Muslim unity in September 24. Dr. Ansari had been the
Congress President in 1927-28 and at his palatial Kothi at Daryaganj
Daras Salam stayed Congress leaders and Congress working committee
meeting were held. It was here that the Congress working had approved
of the Ganchi-Irwin Pact in March 1931. In recognition to great contribu-
tion made by these leaders to national freedom, their residences should
have been converted into national Monuments. It is unfortunate that noth-
ing has been done in this direction by the Central Govt. so far. During the
teure of my membership of Rajya Sabha I had urged the Govt. through my
questions and special mentions on several occasions to do so but unfor-
tunately nothing was done. Time has come that Govt. should take neces-
sary steps. M. Hashim Kidwai, ex-M. P., New Delhi - 110092
Hamare bhi hain Rahnuma kaise kaise.
I appreciate the most impressive, bold, free and frank piece of writing
penned by Janab Nafeez Nomani (M.G.Aug:1-16) through which he high-
lighted the historical facts about the establishment of Musafir Khana at
Lucknow built and developed by benevolent and practicing Muslims for
Haj pilgrims which was later on taken over by the selfish Muslims for their
own gains as commonly seen amongst Muslims throughout the Country.
Now the said Musafir Khana is administered, managed and lookaftered by
the selfish and persuasive elements amongst the Community having
strong political patronage. Though not elaborately stated but from the
contents of the article it appears that Mr. Sayeed Khan a sincere, honest,
hard-working, self-less and devoted KHADIM of Musafir Khana must have
tried to check some surfeits from their iniquitous designes resulting to
face the wrath of Janab Mohammad Azam Khan who unreasonably
directed police for his immediate arrest probably with the object to teach
lesson to Sayeed Khan and to make him realise that honesty today is the
bad and unacceptable phenomena in our society. Since the time
Samajvadi Party graded the power in U.P. on the strengthen of Muslim
votes its every member started behaving like a dictator without realising
the importance and contribution of Muslim votes in the State and Janab
Mohammad Azam Khan is not the exception. This was/is the reason since
the day the inexperienced Mr. Akhelesh Yadav tookover are the CM. of the
largely populated biggest State of India the Hinutva forces with the object
to teach lesson to Muslims flaredup frequent communal frenzy at every
nook and corner of the State allied with members of SP ( most of them
Yadavs) under the nose of Janab Mohammad Azam Khan who despite
knowing all the facts remained silent or mute spectator. Janab
Izzat.Ma'aab powerful Minister of State has full knowledge about the plight
of helpless poor parents of innocent well settled Muslim youths of the
State who have been implicated false, frivolous, fake anti National activ-
ities and languishing in jails for years together. Youths like Khalid Mujahid
and others are being killed frequently at the free will of police in the name
of fake counters or some other reasons even under the police custody or
youths like Dr. Irfan Khan are being tortured most inhumanly under the
hypothetical charges but Janab Izzat-Ma'aab Wazir watching the whole
episode with closed eyes without initiating any proceeding of their release
or issuing orders for the action and arrest of policemen,bureaueratits and
the Partymen involved in engineering communal riots or involved in
heinous crimes against Muslims because they are all belong to other
Religion and Janab Azam Khan has to maintain his secular- democratic
credence in the eyes of Hindutva forces, so what is wrong if Sayeed Khan
is sacrificed? Faheemuddin, Nagpur - 13
Apprehension of Muslim youths: a pseudo-satisfaction
The security agencies and the media are making much hype on the arrest
of two Muslim youths ,Yaseen of Bhatkal and Asadullah Akhter of Azam
Gad .The apprehension of these two terrorists is being considered as
great success .The government and the security agencies are giving the
impression that whole country is free from terrorism, and there will not
occur any blast in any part of the country ,the distressing period is over
.The rulers can calmly Jap Ramnam. The government instead treating the
deadly disease of cancer just giving the patent some pain killer pills and
asking the patient to sleep for a while .The nation is very much desperate
due to the intrusion of Chinese army in Arunachal, Pakistani army is also
continuously firing on our border Choukys. Our forces are not in a posi-
tion to give fitting retaliation to both our mischievous neighbouring coun-
tries .The unabated devaluation of our currency ,Modis blatant criticism
on congress rising prices of essential commodities .Diminishing Muslim
vote bank. Stealing of important files, health problem of Sonia Gandhi.
Low prophase styles of Rahul Gandhi etc. These are some the pinching
problems of our rulers. The security agencies in the fanatical madness
have claimed that Yaseen is responsible for all 40 blasts done in the coun-
try .It also means that they may not be assigned further for the hunt of
Muslim youths .the main culprit has been apprehended and the game is
finished now. Dr AH Maqdoomi Hyderabad
Ban cyber pornography
It is a known fact that easy access to cyber pornography has extremely
negative impact on the viewer, especially the minors and younger per-
sons. Pornography corrupts the minds and projects women as sex
objects. It also encourages sexual assaults and sexual crime against
women and children. If pornography can not be sold on the road even to
an adult, if a minor I can not watch an adult film in the theatre, how can
the government allow its easy access on mobiles, computers etc to all
including children? Pornography is a threat to the fabric of our society
because it is also causing psychological problems and marital disputes.
Hence complete ban be imposed on cyber pornography and on pornog-
raphy on mobile and strict action should be taken against sale of porn
CDs and DVDs. a G. Hasnain Kaif, Nagpur - 13
30 August 2013
The Supreme Court of India has been doing strange things. Not so long
ago it tossed up the idea of a "collective conscience of the [sic] society",
which incidentally stood the notion of conscience on its head. On 6 May
2013 it pronounced nuclear energy to be "clean, safe, reliable and com-
petitive". It is my understanding that courts of law are meant to interpret
and apply laws made by humans, not the laws of nature and of physics.
Now all the courts in the land, from the highest to the humblest, will be
compelled to act in favour of something that is questioned the world over.
Perhaps physicists will study for law degrees to even the balance.
Mukul Dube, Mayur Vihar 1 Delhi 110091
uthappam@gmail.com
The Arrests of Tunda & Bhatkal
The arrests of alleged terrorists Tunda and Bhatkal raised some questions
as the Police and Agencies have lost much of its credibility due to many
lies have been proved in Courts: (1) It is being said proudly that influence
of USA on Pakistan to handover terrorists to India is the key factor in these
arrests! This is a ridiculous idea of Pro USA lobbies in INDIA. USA is yet
to get Hafiz Saeed from Pakistan. David Headly the main culprit of "26 /
11" is still beyond our reach. Just to divert attention from Headly USA is
spreading such rumours. (2) The time of arrests of terrorists, on many
occasions the original time of arrest and the time declared have been
proved different and these timings were having difference of days and
even weeks ! (a) It is possible that now UPA Govt. wants to prove its will
and vigour to fight so called " War of TERROR", to counter BJP, in view of
2014 Elections. (b) It is likely that these two guys might have been in cus-
tody of authorities for quite some time and the declaration is made at cho-
sen time. (c) At present we are facing a great financial crises, falling value
of rupee decreasing reserves of Foreign Exchange etc, so it is just divert
attention from these issues the arrests of this type are always very handy
and useful. The rest is done by our crazy TV Channels! (3) The question
of proving existence of "Indian Mujahideen" is now being seriously raised,
hence these arrests are just face saving attempts, however the arrests of
one or two terrorists cannot prove the existence of such a terrible net
work (as claimed by Govt) (4) The investigation in respect of involvement
of " HINDUTVA" in ant terror activity seems to have been abandoned
because of fear of losing Hindu Votes. and fear of BJP making most of it.
(5) It is also being thought that like Abu Jandal Tunda and Bhatkal are too
men of our agencies and are being utilised by Govt. as Trump Cards. (6)
In 2005 we spent lakhs of US Dollars to bring back Monica Brdi and Abu
Salem. At that tine there were great celebrations but what we got? We
could not get any useful information. Bedi is now a free bird and we can-
not punish Abu Salem as we want! Then what benefits we would get from
the arrests of Tunda and Bhatkal. They could be acquitted by want of
proof. as happened in many cases in the past. Finally I am worried about
Dist. Darbhanga of Bihar, it is being projected as another Azamgarh! Allah
might save Darbhangavies, I have many friends from Darbhanga.
Rasheed Ansari, Hyderabad
rasheedmansari@yahoo.co.in
India is second most dangerous country for mediapersons
As per reports, India is among the second most dangerous nation for
journalists and media people this year. Since January this year, many
journalists were seen losing their lives unlike what we can notice in any
war-torn nations like Syria. According to the International News Safety
Institute (INSI) survey, revealed that around six journalists and support
staff were killed in India within six months of 2013 (January to June). With
the most recent Mumbai gangrape incident of a 23-year-old woman pho-
tojournalist has once again raised a very important question, are the jour-
nalists particularly the women feel safe in this country, wherein we see
lots of untoward incidents taking place each year. Indeed, the rape inci-
dents of Mumbai are a big question mark over the state machinery and
law and order situations at important cities like the state capital of
Maharashtra.
Indeed, the world today is at risk with the Fourth estate of most of the
countries often getting targeted by evil hands. It's time for the state and
our country to wake from the deep slumber and act tough, so that their
actions become a deterrent factor to heinous crimes like rape and mur-
der. Hopefully, with such a media attention given to this rape case, the
state would set an example in nailing the culprits behind this shameful act.
Mohd Zeyaullah Khan, Nagpur - 440012
Congress is pushing media propaganda to woo Muslims
In the election year at hand congress just started pouring announcements
for the welfare of Muslims. For this paid items are aired in media. Media
has been airing & printing the congress announcement but these all mere
an eye wash because congress led UPA didn't sanction amount to AMU
campus in Kishanganj. 16 central universities, 7 IIT & 5 IIM thousands
school established but with much propaganda to establish 5 min univer-
sities were announced. In budget for minority scholarship only 1 lak 20
thousand crores allocated but for dalits 9 lakh 5 thousand crores allocat-
ed. Congress announced 101 minority girls hostel 15 degree colleges in
minority dominated areas. Just before MP election such announcement
are old net to catch Muslim votes. S. Haque, Patna
Is Pranab Mukherji responsible for India's economic woes?
Finance Minister P. Chidambaram was explaining the Rajya Sabha why
the Rupee had a free fall losing its value by nearly 12% in as many days
in August, why our Current Account Deficit [CAD, whatever it means] is
swelling, why the stock market is sinking and, above all, why internation-
al rating agency Standard and Poor was mercilessly predicting down
grading our sovereign rating to junk status. His words left the discerning
listeners a bit flabbergasted. He put the blame for India's economic woes
on "certain decisions that we took during the period 2009 to 2011". He
was referring to the tenure of Pranab Mukherji and was putting the onus
of India's woes on him. Are we being given to understand that all deci-
sions taken by Pranab Mukherji [or any other minister, for that matter] are
taken by him sitting alone in his cabin without consulting anybody else?
Mukherji had two economists [P. C. and Man Mohan Singh] available for
consultation. Did he take the decisions of stimulus etc without keeping
them in the loop? It cannot be. Aren't all major decisions cleared by the
cabinet? That is how the government works, we understand. So, why
make it appear as if Pranab Mukherji took all economic decisions arbitrar-
ily and on his own and place the onus of economic woes on him? If,
indeed, as it is being made out, Pranab Mukherji is sole author of all the
decisions of 2009-2011 it becomes the case of too much power in a sin-
gle person and there is a need to have a hard look at how our democra-
cy functions . Dr Mookhi Amir Ali, Santacruz west, Mumbai 400054
drmookhi@hotmail.com
Riots in UP
I would like to express my complete agreement with the views you have
expressed in your letter re Muzaffarnagar and the SP govt. Bahut hi
khatarnak khel khela ja raha hai.
Subhashini Ali, ex-MP
subhashiniali@gmail.com
II
The All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat must be congratulated for
demanding the dismissal of the Akhilesh Yadav government in Uttar
Pradesh for utterly failing on the law and order front. The Mushawarat's
demands that political parties indulging in communal politics should be
derecognised and individuals found guilty of indulging in communal poli-
tics and stoking violence should be barred from contesting in elections
are highly laudable and should become the consistent policy of all Muslim
organizations throughout India. Muslims have a much greater stake in
upholding secularism than we seem to realize. We should be the advo-
cates of genuine secularism and we should reject any attempts to
appease us or to treat us as a vote bank.
Ghulam Mohiyuddin, New York 12804 (via email)
US against Syria
American military intervention against Asad regime for the alleged chem-
ical attack on its own people has little logic. Moreover, military interven-
tion without United Nations' approval will be considered aggression of
power. The silence of world countries in common and nod of Arab world
in particular, under American pressure, that Syria be caned is setting a
trend that would leave other tiny nations vulnerable for similar assault.
Significantly, since the last one decade American unilateral military inter-
vention has destabilised several countries in the West Asia mainly due to
its imperialist foreign policies. This also indicates that Nobel laureate
Obama is no different from his predecessor Bush.
Shafaque Alam, Jamia Nagar, Okhla New Delhi - 110025
Hyderabad blasts
The twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad in the crowded place of Dilsukhnagar
area is highly condemnable. Once again, innocent people have been tar-
geted by those motivated by hate and a twisted worldview that is devoid
of basic compassion for fellow humans. The fact that the nation contin-
ues to suffer such senseless loss of life shows that our responses to ear-
lier terror attacks have been deeply flawed and severely inadequate. The
Law enforcement agencies should conduct a thorough and transparent
investigation before pressing charges against any individual or group.
Ironically, few of the media outlets have started sensationalizing the inci-
dent by naming specific groups even before the investigation has pro-
gressed, which is highly irresponsible. As experience with several terror
acts in recent years has shown, attempts to stereotype and scapegoat an
entire community can devastate hundreds of innocent lives, ruined by
having to spend years behind bars for the crimes of others, only to be
found innocent later. Mohd Ziyaullah Khan, Nagpur - 13
writeziya@gmail.com
Egypt
"Yaum-e-Ghazab" in Egypt turned out to be "Youm-e-Shahadat" for
Muslim Brotherhood where the army displayed such a horrible example of
inhumanity that it is hard to find a parallel to it. After the ouster of first
democratically elected President Muhammad Morsi, the army recklessly
used force to crush the peaceful demonstration at such a level which
reveals that power has turned the Army completely blind and there is no
respect for humanity left in them. The incident of firing teargas in a truck
full of prisoners refreshed the memories of the gas chambers of the Nazi
days. Unfortunately the global community that is being called upon from
the first day to intervene and the international organizations, whose
responsibility is to intervene, even if not out of reasons of humanity at
least for the sake of their image, have constantly observed criminal
silence and are not ready to say or listen to anything. Even some of the
Muslim countries are s cheering these crimes against humanity. The rea-
sons are self-evident. The fire, ignited internally or externally, that is
spreading in Muslim countries one after the other is burning down every-
thing to ashes because despite understanding this game of fire, neither
anyone opens his mouth nor any arrows are shot from diplomatic bows.
How will the eyes open when the conscience is asleep and why would
there be any need to wake up or make a move! When the agitation of the
demonstrators who assembled on Tahrir square bore fruit in February
2011, and the sun set on the Hosni Mubarak government, the Egyptian
people were hopeful that it will pave way for a democratic government.
Abdul Haque Khan, Kasganj-207123
abdulhaquek@gmail.com
Syrian ambassador's claim
Those in the media, who have published verbatim the allegation of Syrian
Ambassador to India, about Indian Muslims being allegedly involved in
Syrian civil war, should use caution in first verifying the allegation, asking
for proof as well as getting a parallel response from Indian Foreign Affairs
Ministry on the subject, as the news is very disturbing in the delicate
communal situation prevailing in India, and media should not deliberately
cause further deterioration of the situation by publishing unconfirmed
propaganda from foreign countries that amounts to interference in India's
internal affairs. Ghulam Muhammed
ghulammuhammed3@gmail.com
II
By using terms misused in India like Jihadi etc, the Syrian ambassador is
showing the level of confidence his country has. While the Muslims of
India have been mature enough to support democracy in Egypt and are
against use of petro-dollar against the Syrian government, the lack of
understanding by him is sad to say the least. While the West is using civil
war as tool to dismember Muslim countries, fools like this ambassador
are trying to show that they are more secular than the Crusaders. Nothing
will accrue to Syria by this foolish propaganda. While the regime is killing
indiscriminately in competition with rebels, the so called humane West is
always worried about its 'interests' in West Asia. They are always and
openly defending their illegitimate child Israel while the fools of KSA,
UAE, Qatar and Kuwait are paying for it. By using the so called secular
card, does the ambassador thinks India will take some stand. The slump-
ing INR is not able to motivate taking any bold decision, how on this earth
is Syria going to achieve anything? What way was Saddam treated and
how India and most Indians reacted to his hanging showed who has been
friends in-deed. M Naqqaad naqqaad@gmail.com (on MG website)
A heinous race indeed
What a continuous race
Female beauty exhibition breaking all words
Despite rapists overtaking rapists
Drunkards leaving behind all drunkards
Gamblers jumping over all gamblers
Liars envying liars all around
What a heinous progress in our race course
That we have travelled miles and still want to cover many more miles?
Sultan A. U. Patel
Khanpur Deh - 392150
REJOINDERS/OPINION/LETTERS The Milli Gazette, 16-30 September 2013 23 www.milligazette.com
The Milli Gazette, P.O. Box 9701, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025 Email: letters@milligazette.com Read more letters on MG website
RNI No. DELENG/2000/930 REGISTERED DL(S)-01/3215/2012-14
LICENCED TO POST WITHOUT PREPAYMENT U (SE)-57/2012-14
PUBLISHED ON 11 SEP 2013 POSTED ON 11-12 SEP 2013
ADV. FORTNIGHTLY AT NDPSO-110002
The Milli Gazette
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New Delhi 110025 India Tel.: 011-26947483 Email: edit@milligazette.com
24 The Milli Gazette,16-30 September 2013
Printed, published and owned by Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan and printed at Vibha Publication Pvt Ltd., D-160B, Sector-7, Noida, U.P. and published at D-84 Abul Fazal Enclave-I, New Delhi 110025.
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With best compliments from
Kaleem Kawaja , Washington DC
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Areas of Cooperation between Muslims & Believers in Eastern Religions
Relationship between Muslims and others
Similarities between Islam and Sikhism
Buddhism and Islam
Jainism & Islam: A Comparative Study
Scope of Cooperation Between Islam and Other Religions
Areas Of Cooperation Between Muslims & Believers of Eastern Religions
Mutual Respect Among Religions Not Mere Tolerance Necessary For Everlasting Peace
And Harmony
Countering Negative Impact of Globalisation, Need of an All-religion Alliance against
Evils and Injustices
Soul of Islam
Time opportune for Civilizational Dialogue
A perspective on Muslim - Buddhist Dialogue
Interfaith in Islam
The Importance of Dialogue Between Islam & Hindu Religion
Interactions Between Muslims And Others In India: A Historical Perspective
Religion, Terrorism, Tolerance And World Peace
The Sanatan Dharma (Eternal principle) beliefs in Nepa
Contributions of Islamic and Buddhist Philosophy towards World Scientific Temperament
Contribution of Islam to Peace
Relationship between Hinduism and Islam: Some Remarkable Theological and Historical
Truth
The Importance of Faith in Interfaith Dialogues
Commonality of beliefs and shared ideas between Islam and sikh religions
The Tolerance of Islam in the Context of World Religions
The oneness of God, the oneness of faith
Muslim-Buddhist Relations And Their Coexistence
Basics of Dialogue Between Islam and oriental religions
Views for international dialogue between islam and oriental religions
Islam & Oriental religions
Towards Peaceful Co-Existance
Islam aur mashriqi mazahib kay darmiyaan muzakaraat ki bunyaad Swami Laxmi
Shankaracharya [urdu]
Relationship between Muslims and other religion - An India Case
Shared values between Islam and Eastern Religions
Islam and Dialogue: Some Rules to Remember
Dialogue in Todays World: Some Personal Reflections
Islamic Perimeters Of Inter Religious Dialogue