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Sangh Parivar Pageant: Sid Harth

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chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 8, 2009, 4:38:28 PM9/8/09
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Chapter 1: DO ALL HSC ROADS LEAD TO THE SANGH PARIVAR?

The Sangh Parivar is a family of violent, ultra-right organizations
that espouse a Hindu supremacist ideology – Hindutva. Several
international and national human rights organizations have documented
the violence that has been associated with the activities of the Sangh
Parivar over the last two decades – violence that also clearly appears
to be a product of the ideology espoused by the Sangh Parivar.2

The Hindu Students Council (HSC) is a US-based organization with
chapters at several university campuses across the country. The HSC
claims to be “an independently run and funded” organization for Hindu
students to connect with their heritage (www.hscnet.org/fact.php). How
true is this claim?

In this chapter we summarize the structural, institutional and
personnel connections between the Sangh Parivar and the National HSC
by presenting (1) a time line that shows that the HSC, despite its
claims to have become independent of the Sangh Parivar in 1993,
continues to maintain and cultivate links with the Sangh, and (2) a
more detailed enumeration of five structural/organizational links
between the National HSC and the Sangh.

1.1. Fifteen Years of the HSC: A Joint Strategy of Growth for the
Sangh and HSC
The National HSC was started in 1990-91 as a project of the Vishwa
Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A). The timeline below shows that
despite claims of “severed connections” after 1993, the HSC continued
to have ideological, political, organizational and personnel
connections with the Sangh.

1.2. Hindu Students Council Timeline
Figure 1 below presents a simple picture. Despite the HSC’s claimed
independence from the VHP-A in 1993, there continue to be structural,
institutional and personnel based links with the Sangh. The question
to which the National HSC owes an answer to the public at large is:
Why does the Hindu Students Council continue to deny its links to the
Sangh Parivar?

Figure 1 - HSC Timeline

1.3. Structural Links Between the HSC and the Sangh
While the timeline gives us a quick view of the HSC’s continued links
to the Sangh Parivar, Figure 2, infra, and the section following it
provide a somewhat more comprehensive view of the evidence that points
to deep-rooted institutional and structural links in five areas.

Figure 2 - How the HSC is part of the Global Sangh

1.3 (a) HSC’s Links With the VHP-A

The most dense set of institutional connections between the HSC and
the Sangh Parivar appear through its links with the VHP of America,
HSC’s parent organization.

Beginning with its inception in 1990, and for the first three years of
its existence, National HSC publicly acknowledged that it was a
project of the VHP-A. In 1993, the National HSC announced its
independence from the VHP-A. However:
o Eight years after National HSC claimed independence from the VHP-A,
VHP-A’s 2001 Tax Returns filed with US IRS listed the National HSC as
a VHP-A project. This linkage continued until 2002, when HSC
registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), a
trademark application was filed in 2003 for a typed rendering of the
words "Hindu Students Council", and the "HSC KNOWLEDGE UNITY PROGRESS
DHARMA" logo. The applicant address listed in the trademark
application matches that of then VHP-A General Secretary Gaurang
Vaishnav (as listed in the VHP-A tax forms for the year 2002). The
trademark applications were filed on May 16, 2003 and were abandoned
on May 26, 2004.3

Mr. Kanchan Banerjee, Governing Council member and Vice-President of
Youth for VHP-A in 1999,4 was also listed as Overall Coordinator for
the HSC in 2004.5

In the 2004 Tax Returns filed by the HSC with the IRS, Mr. Vijay
Pallod, member of VHP-A’s Governing Council, is listed as the
Registered Agent for the HSC.6 The “registered office address” for the
HSC is also the same as Pallod’s address. Further confirmation of Mr.
Pallod’s role with the HSC comes via a HSC Press Release detailing its
“3rd Annual Fundraising Dinner” (held on December 2, 2006), listing
Mr. Vijay Pallod as the HSC Treasurer. 7

Together, the Tax Returns, the registering of trademarks and logos,
and the shared personnel offer clear indications of the link between
the HSC and the VHP-A.


1.3 (b) HSC’s Links With the Sangh in India

The Sangh Parivar in India recognizes and acknowledges the HSC as part
of the Global Sangh. Numerous incidents over the last fifteen years
attest to this. Not only have senior Sangh leaders located the HSC as
part of the Sangh Parivar in their writings or speeches, but the HSC
has been invited to Sangh-only events on numerous occasions.

In 1993, on the eve of the so-called “independence” of the HSC from
the VHP-A, then VHP General Secretary Ashok Singhal said in an
interview after the World Vision 2000 conference:
“Now, the first project we have in mind is strengthening the Hindu
Student Council…”8

Between December 25 and 27, 1995 the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
(RSS), the organization at the core of the Sangh Parivar, invited its
affiliate organizations from across the world for a training camp in
Gujarat, India. The HSC was among those invited. The press release for
the camp, issued by Gaurang Desai of the Hindu Swayamevak Sangh (HSS),
the US arm of the RSS, stated:

“This Shibir (camp) was conducted on RSS ideology for NRI workers …
Aptly titled as ‘Vishwa Sangh Shibir 95,’ all its delegates were from
several affiliated organizations of RSS, which operate abroad as Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh, Sewa International, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Hindu
Students Council, Friends of India Society International, etc.” 9
(emphasis added.)

• In 1998, the HSC was among those invited to a meeting with the then
Indian Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, along with New York-based Sangh
Parivar affiliates. A press release from the Overseas Friends of the
BJP (OFBJP) said:

“On September 26, 1998, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayeeji managed
to spend a short hour, from his very busy schedule, in New York
Hilton's Madison Suite, with a small number of his New York Parivar
made up of karyakartas from HSS, VHP, OFBJP, IQG, HSC, Seva Samiti,
and Sikh Sangat of America.” 10 (emphasis added.)

1.3 (c) GHEN/Hindunet: The HSC Creates the Sangh’s Electronic
Infrastructure

On April 14, 1996, HSC announced the formation of the Global Hindu
Electronic Networks (GHEN), introducing it as a comprehensive site on
Hindu dharma.11 The announcement stated that GHEN was a resource
center for Hindutva wherein GHEN established, for the first time, a
web presence for the RSS and VHP. A wider announcement was posted on
June 12, 1996, stating that GHEN was “sponsored by the Hindu Students
Council and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHP-A).” 12

This early network has grown over the last ten years into the Sangh’s
electronic infrastructure. The web site of every major Sangh
organization runs off a cluster located in San Diego, California. The
figure below graphically illustrates the information that the RSS,
HSS, VHP, VHP-A, HSC, IDRF and many more Sangh Parivar organizations,
all share the same common Class C IP address structure and map on to
one network. The network was run and maintained by the HSC at least
between 1996 and 1999. (The post-1999 relationship between HSC and
Hindunet is discussed in Chapter 2.)

Figure 3 - HSC and the Global Sangh Infrastructure (please click image
for full size) IP Map Key


1.4. Ideological Support: HSC and Hindutva

One of the major functions of the HSC has been to organize regional
and national conferences on campuses across the US – both as outreach
to Hindu youth, and as an attempt to create a broader public discourse
on Hindutva. Some details to consider:

The HSC has been directly responsible or has supported three large-
scale Hindutva conferences over the last fifteen years – the 1993
World Vision 2000 conference, the Freedom Festival of 1997 and the
Dharma conference of 2003.13 The latter two conferences, which were
directly organized by the HSC, are discussed in greater detail in
Chapter 2.

Beyond these large conferences, the HSC has organized numerous smaller
events. Available documents from 1990 to 1996 acknowledge the
organizational effort behind these events as part of an HSC-VHP-A
partnership.14, 15, 16, 17

The HSC provides a platform for a range of Hindutva ideologues from
India and the US to travel and speak at venues across the US. For
instance, in 2004 the National HSC played host to Ram Madhav, the
Chief Spokesperson for the RSS,18 and then more recently, in 2007, it
co-hosted Sadhvi Rithambara, perhaps the most virulently anti-minority
ideologue of the Sangh Parivar.19 Conferences and events such as those
organized by the HSC are, in large part, the only public/mainstream
avenues available to leaders of the Sangh Parivar from India when they
tour the US, avenues from where they can command a national audience
in America.

Beyond conferences and speaking engagements such as the ones mentioned
above, the HSC also exhorts its members to provide SEVA20 for
organizations and projects that are supported by the Sangh Parivar
such as Ekal Vidyalaya in India. These so-called service projects that
the Sangh supports are the mainstay of its ideological and
organizational work in India.21

1.5. Personnel Links: Grooming Leadership for the Sangh?

The current roles of some of the early HSC leaders within the Sangh
raise the question of whether the HSC is a grooming space for future
Sangh leadership. Consider the following:

Early HSC leaders such as Ajay Shah, Kanchan Banerjee and Mihir
Meghani have all risen to leadership within the US Sangh and also
helped the Sangh start new initiatives and organizations in the US.22

Certain recent HSC leaders are connected to well established Sangh
families and in some cases, the launch of a campus HSC chapter or
revival of a dormant one coincided with the appearance of a Sangh
family member on campus. 23

The above is not to say that HSCs are always led by Hindutva family
protégés. We certainly do not make any such claim. And we also
understand that when a HSC chapter does become active, it likely does
so because there is more than one person who takes leadership, and
because there is a significant drive within Indian-American youth to
respond to questions of identity. However, to acknowledge this is not
to deny the pattern that some HSCs have been led and driven forward—
created or revived—by youth who have clear interpersonal connections
to the Hindutva leadership in the USA.


1.6. Some conclusions about the HSC and the Sangh Parivar

The HSC is now legally independent of the Sangh Parivar in the United
States. Nevertheless, it seems to us that National HSC is an equal and
full member of the Sangh Parivar. Apart from the electronic
infrastructure that HSC coordinates for the Sangh, there is remarkable
overlap between the institutional structure of the Sangh and the HSC,
particularly evident in the deep personnel connections between HSC and
VHP-A. For instance, Ajay Shah, one of the founders of HSC, is now the
Zonal VP for VHP-A for the West Coast and runs the HSC’s servers out
of San Diego, servers which serve the Sangh. Kanchan Banerjee, another
founder of HSC, became the Vice-President, Youth Affairs, for VHP-A,
and still makes appearances as a spokesperson for the HSC, as he did
at the Dharma conference. Vijay Pallod is the VP for Fundraising for
the HSC, a member of VHP-A’s Governing Council and Texas contact for
the HSS.24

The HSC’s presence on college campuses has been an important aspect of
the organization of the Sangh in the US. Over the twenty years of its
existence, HSC has normalized a narrow brand of upper-caste Hinduism
on campuses across the US. A generation of Hindu and non-Hindu
students, as well as university administrators, have come to think of
the HSC as an apolitical, cultural organization that provides the
space for Hindu students to connect with their roots. But it is
exactly this normalization of a particular, narrow version of Hinduism
that allows for multiple expressions of Hindutva. Now that it is
legally independent of the Sangh Parivar, the national HSC (in as much
as it is in charge of the Sangh’s electronic infrastructure), and
local HSCs that are fully mature, can openly associate with the
Sangh’s ideology of Hindutva. In one extreme example, the University
of Washington at Seattle has student chapters of HSC, Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Yuva (a project for youth by Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh) with a significant overlap in officers.25

One issue remains unchanged in the midst of this organizational
coherence where the HSC is a full component of the Sangh – most HSC
members on US and Canadian campuses seem unaware of the historical and
present-day connections between HSC and the Sangh, and of the ways in
which HSC sustains the Sangh’s ideology on college campuses. Because
of its legal independence, HSC is now able to claim that it has no
connections to the Sangh Parivar. However, the question of HSC’s
responsibility to its membership and local chapters remains
unanswered.

Endnotes:

2. See for instance a 2003 report from Human Rights Watch,
http://hrw.org/wr2k3/asia6.html, and a 2005 report by Amnesty
International, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA200022005?open&of=ENG-IND).

3. For details, see http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question8.html.

4. See VHP-A's Press Release, dated Oct. 20, 1999, available at
http://www.vhp-america.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6
(archive)

5. Utsav Chakrabarti, Hindu Students Council Annual Meet in Florida,
INDO-AMERICAN NEWS (Houston), Mar. 19, 2004, at C3 (listing new
executive committee of the HSC) (archive)

6. HSC Income Tax Returns 2004, available from guidestar.org (archive)

7. A HSC press release issued after the third annual fundraising
dinner of the University of Texas at Austin chapter lists "Mr. Vijay
Pallod, HSC National Treasurer" as one of the "special guests for the
night." (web) (archive)

8. See Interview posted on soc.culture.indian by Dinesh Agrawal on
September 9, 1993 (web) (archive).

9. See the RSS press release posted on soc.culture.indian.marathi by
Gaurang Desai on January 17, 1996 (web) (archive)

10. See e-mail posted on soc.culture.indian by Romesh Diwan on
September 28, 1998, (web) (archive)

11. See announcement dated Apr 14, 1995 on
comp.infosystems.www.announce, posted by digest editor
(edi...@rbhatnagar.csm.uc.edu) (web) (archive)

12. See announcement dated June 12, 1996 on
soc.culture.indian.gujarati, soc.culture.indian, soc.culture.bengali,
soc.culture.indian.delhi, soc.culture.indian.kerala,
soc.culture.indian.marathi, soc.culture.indian.telugu listserves,
posted by gh...@netcom.com. (web) (archive)

13. See website for Global Dharma Conference at

http://www.dharmaconference.org/cosponsors.html (archive)
14. See Bobby Parekh’s note (dated Jan 15, 1992) on
soc.culture.indian, and soc.culture.india (web) (archive)

15. See HSC’s note (dated Jan 14, 1993) on alt.hindu (web) (archive)

16. See HSC’s note (dated Mar 4, 1994) on soc.religion.eastern (web)
(archive)

17. See posting dated Apr 21, 1994 on alt_hindu (web) (archive)

18. See http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question7.html

19. See http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question6.html

20. SEVA is a Hindi word meaning “service.” Sometimes also spelled
SEWA.

21. See, for instance, the SEVA page as it appeared on July 2001 on
the website of the HSC chapter at George Mason University at

http://web.archive.org/web/20010703025203/http://www.gmu.edu/org/hsc/hsc_seva.html
(archive)

(listing multiple Sangh Parivar organizations that also appear on the
VHP-A’s website as seen in the archived version of January 2003 at

http://web.archive.org/web/20030103153830/http://www.vhp-america.org/seva_projects/).
(archive)

22. See various articles posted on the website of the VHP-A about the
activities of some of these individuals, e.g. VHP-A press release
dated October 20, 1999, (web) (archive); article dated April 9, 2001
(web) (archive)

23. Here are some instances

Sonia Gandhi was active with the HSC chapter at Princeton University
in the mid 1990s. Her father Girish Gandhi was Seva coordinator for
the VHP-A (web) (archive), and her mother Veena Gandhi has been vice-
president of the VHP-A (web) (archive)

Ajay Belambe was active with the HSC chapter at the University of
Pittsburg. His brother, Abhay Belambe was a HSS coordinator (web)
(archive) and Vice-President of the India Development and Relief Fund
(IDRF), a fundraising organization of the Sangh Parivar (web)
(archive)

Rachna Chandak was active with the HSC chapter at the University of
Illinois. Her father Srinarayan Chandak, was a Vice-president of IDRF
(web) (archive)

Samir Asthana was a leader of the HSC chapter at the University of
Michigan (web) (archive). His mother Jaya Asthana was Secretary of the
Boston chapter of the VHP-A (web) (archive) and his father Abhay
Asthana was one of the zonal coordinators for the VHP-A (web)
(archive)

Rishi Bhutada was active with the HSC chapter at the University of
Pennsylvania. His uncle Vijay Pallod was a governing council member of
the VHP-A (web) (archive) and connected with IDRF (web) (archive)

Seema Shah was on the board of the HSC at Northwestern University
(web) (archive). Her father Ramesh Shah, was a zonal coordinator with
the VHP-A (web) (archive)

Sumir Meghani was active with the HSC at Stanford University (web)
(archive). His brother, Mihir Meghani, had started the third chapter
of HSC at the University of Michigan in 1991 (web) (archive), was a
coordinator with the VHP-A (web) (archive), and later founded the
Hindu American Foundation (web) (archive).

24. In a Rediff article dated September 7, 1999, Vijay Pallod is
referred to as a "governing council member of the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad" (see http://rediff.com/news/1999/sep/07us.htm). Pallod has
also been "regional vice-President of IDRF" (see
http://www.idrf.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Hnnews&file=article&sid=102)
(archive) and is listed as a media contact for IDRF (see
http://www.idrf.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Hncontent&pa=showpage&pid=80)
(archive).
25. See the listing for HSC, HSS & Hindu Yuva at the website of the
Student Activities Office (SAO) at University of Washington at
http://depts.washington.edu/sao/rso_search_detail.php ?id=370
(archive), http://depts.washington.edu/sao/rso_search_detail.php?id=1152
(archive)

and http://depts.washington.edu/sao/rso_search_detail.php?id=1296
(archive),
respectively and note the overlap of officers. The only organization
that is in the current RSO directory listing is Hindu Yuva (web)
(archive). On Hindu Yuva’s own webpage (web) (archive), they call
themselves a “a project for youth by Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS),
USA” (HSS is the overseas avatar of the RSS in India).

...and I am Sid Harth

© 2002 THE CAMPAIGN TO STOP FUNDING HATE.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 8, 2009, 4:45:42 PM9/8/09
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Chapter 2: CONTINUED PATHWAYS OF SAFFRON

In the Preface we outlined the following four claims that the National
HSC has advanced (or could advance) in its efforts to deny the HSC’s
links to the Sangh, and as an attempt to counter the evidence
presented by CSFH.

1. The denial of HSC’s existing infrastructural links with the Sangh,
2. The denial of HSC’s ideological links to the Sangh,
3. The claim that the speakers invited to HSC festivals and
conferences are “diverse” in their ideological perspectives, and
4. The claim that individual HSC members attending Sangh activities
does not implicate the entire organization.

This chapter examines these four potential defenses in detail.

2.1. HSC’s continuing infrastructural links with the Sangh

In Chapter 1, we demonstrated how the HSC and the Sangh are linked
materially and organizationally, most damningly through the common web
network structure captured visually in the IP Map (see page 11).
National HSC has claimed 26 that it did not host the websites of the
RSS, VHP, ABVP, VHP-A, IDRF, Sewa Bharati and other Sangh
organizations because it gave up control over its project GHEN (Global
Hindu Electronic Networks) to a private firm, Hindunet, in 1999 and
that Hindunet was merely HSC’s Internet Service Provider (ISP). (This
argument was made by Mr. Sudeep Roy, HSC regional coordinator for
Northern California,27 at a meeting organized by the HSC chapter at
Stanford University to discuss the information presented by CSFH about
the HSC’s links to the Sangh Parivar in the U.S. and in India. See
video at http://www.stanford.edu/group/hsc/video.html)

Contrary to the HSC’s claims that it did not host Sangh websites, the
archived websites of the RSS, VHP and Hindunet.org from late 1996 to
early 1997 have identical content that includes GHEN and HSC logos and
the statement “GHEN is sponsored by the Hindu Students Council.” 28
This is consistent with GHEN’s copyright notice on archived
hindunet.org webpages, which reads: “Please note that entire
collection of GHEN websites is copyrighted 1989-1999, Global Hindu
Electronic Networks, Hindu Students Council.” 29 It is clear,
therefore, that the web infrastructure for RSS, VHP, VHP-A among
others, was built by the HSC. Undeniably the HSC-run GHEN was
facilitating the initial web presence of the RSS and VHP at least
until 1999.

Further, the assertion that Hindunet is a private company that was
formed in 1999 in order to take over GHEN from HSC suggests that
Hindunet as an entity did not exist prior to 1999. This is not true.
At least as early as 1996, “Hindunet.org” hosted the GHEN/Hindu
Universe group of websites. 30 The Copyright for Hindunet.org from
that point on has read “Copyright © Hindu Students Council.” 31
Sometime between 1999-2001, HSC’s “non-profit” GHEN became
incorporated as a private for-profit entity called Hindunet, Inc.

There is thus a clear continuity in the use of the name “Hindunet” –
from HSC’s early Hindunet.org to Hindunet, Inc., which took over
ownership of GHEN.

HSC’s supporting role for Sangh activities goes deeper. Apart from an
active role in building the Sangh's web infrastructure, HSC/GHEN also
ran some of the Sangh’s important internal listservs such as VHPGC-L,
“a network exculsively (sic) for the VHP Governing Council Members and
chapter coordinators.” 32

The VHP Governing Council listserv included VHP-A leaders Gaurang
Vaishnav and Mahesh Mehta, among others, and HSC leaders Mihir
Meghani, Ajay Shah and Kanchan Banerjee. The latter three, apart from
providing regular updates on HSC projects such as GHEN and GHYAN, also
participated in strategy discussions with VHP leaders. 33 Tellingly,
Gaurang Vaishnav, General Secretary of the VHP-A, complimented Ajay
Shah’s leadership in setting up an “Internet empire”:

Abhayaji is replacing Dr. Ajay Shah who has moved on to what started
as an experiment in cyberspace and turned out to be more than a full
time job of managing our presence on the Internet. Ajaybhai has been
instrumental in almost single handedly creating what I would like to
call an Internet empire of VHP of America and HSC…. It was Ajaybhai's
persistence that has made communication among the GC [Governing
Council] members by email possible. He was the one to clearly see the
benefit of this tool and remained an ardent advocate of it until most
of us understood and implemented what he was saying.34

It quickly becomes clear how the involvement of HSC in the above
listserv aids the formation of Hindunet, Inc. On August 27th 1999, the
same Ajay Shah, one of the founders of the HSC and the central figure
behind the development of GHEN as a HSC project, wrote a memorandum to
the VHP-A’s Executive Board.35 In this document, Shah sought the VHP-
A’s permission to “Spin Off Global Hindu Electronic Networks … as a
separate for-profit entity.” Shah uses the example of the Bharat
Prakashan Kendra, a publishing house whose portfolio includes the RSS
and BJP mouthpieces, Organiser and Panchajanya, to lay out his vision
for the new relationship between the “HSC spin off” and the “Sangh
Parivar.” He suggests that the new arrangement should include a profit-
sharing agreement whereby “VHP-A/HSC should be given a share of profit
in this commercial venture.” In a clear admission of the HSC’s
identification with Hindutva and its continued commitment to the
development and control over the Sangh network, Shah’s memo states:

While the day-to-day contents and development would rest with the
employees of the commercial GHEN, VHP/HSC and indeed the Sangh parivar
should have a say in the over all direction of the contents
development. In that, two members of the Borad [sic] of Directors
should be appointed by VHP/HSC …. We believe that with the future in
mind, this is perhaps the only way we will be able to grow into a
major operation, otherwise in the future a commercial company with
ample resources and non-Hindutva leanings will over shadow our work.

Mr. Shah’s role as a leader of HSC is indeed fundamental to the
presence, growth and success of the Sangh in the USA and on the web.
And this memorandum clearly admits that the transfer of GHEN from the
control of the HSC, a part of the non-profit VHP-A, to the “newly”
incorporated for-profit Hindunet, Inc. was a strategic move by the HSC
within the Sangh Parivar.

The documents surrounding the creation and contemporary status of
Hindunet, Inc., as a private company reveal much continuity between
the non-profit Hindunet.org run by the HSC and its for-profit
reincarnation as Hindunet, Inc. An internal document dated April 20,
2000 lists the “GHEN Team”: 36

CEO: Ajay Shah, Ph.D.
V.P. Development: Srinivas Bolisetty
V.P. Operations: Rajiv Varma
C.F.O.: Ragni Mehta
V.P. Sales: Kanchan Banerjee
General Counsel & Director of Marketing: Rakhi Israni

Of the above, Shah, Banerjee and Israni have been HSC leaders and
founders. Banerjee and Israni in particular were HSC office bearers
after 1999. Available records suggest that Banerjee was Overall
advisor of the National HSC in 2004, while Israni was National HSC
President in 2004 and Program Director for HSC’s Dharma Conference in
2003.37 Varma and Bolisetty closely worked with the HSC-run GHEN
network (Varma was list manager for GHEN/HSC run listservs such as the
VHP-GC-L, Bolisetty was the administrator for the HVK discussion
lists, and both have ties to organized Sangh Parivar networks in the
U.S.; Bolisetty was listed as a contact for the Raleigh/Durham chapter
of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), while Varma runs a network of
extremely virulent Hindutva websites out of Texas).38

Another document dated August 20, 2001 lists the following as the
“Hindunet Management”: 39

Chairman of the Board: Dr. B.K.Modi
Board Member: Dr. Mahesh Mehta
President and CEO: Dr. Ajay Shah
Chief Technical Officer: Srinivas Bolisetty

Ajay Shah and Srinivas Bolisetty remain from the GHEN team. The
identity of the other two members of the management team indicates
that the process of creating Hindunet as a private company was done
under the sponsorship of the VHP. The first, B. K. Modi, has been
Chairman of VHP Overseas. The second, Mahesh Mehta, is a founder of
VHP-A.40 As noted supra, Shah’s memorandum to the VHP-A seeking
permission to “spin off” GHEN includes a clause about VHP-A/HSC
nominating two members of the board.41

Moreover, draft versions of a licensing agreement for GHEN between
WWWCorp 42 and VHP-A recognize the debt owed to HSC and its parent VHP-
A in starting GHEN, and creating and propagating GHEN websites: 43

WHEREAS, Global Hindu Electronic Networks (“GHEN”) was started as a
project of Hindu Students Council (“HSC”), a chapter/project of VHP-
A;

WHEREAS, WWWCorp recognizes that VHP-A and HSC have significantly
contributed to creation and propagation of GHEN websites.

The inescapable conclusion is that Hindunet, Inc. was not some new and
independent private entity coming in from the outside. Instead, the
creation of Hindunet, Inc. was an “internal” project within the Sangh
Parivar of which key participants were HSC and VHP-A. 44

2.2. Questions that CSFH would like National HSC to answer publicly:

Why did the HSC build and maintain the Sangh web infrastructure prior
to 1999?
Why did Sudeep Roy, HSC regional coordinator for Northern California,
45 avoid answering the above question during the Stanford debate when
a local HSC member queried him about the status of these websites
prior to 1999? 46
Why did the HSC run listservs (such as that for the VHP-A Governing
Council) for Sangh Parivar internal communications? What does it mean
that HSC leadership participated in the internal communication of the
main decision making body of the VHP-A at least until 1999?
Why have the National HSC and Regional officers not been publicly
forthcoming about the continuing links between the HSC and the Sangh
Parivar when they privately worked actively to facilitate the Sangh’s
presence in the USA at least until 1999/2000? Instead, why do they
insist on denying everything above?
2.3. HSC’s Ideological Links to the Sangh

Despite the information described above, the HSC, as the information
presented below demonstrates, continues to claim that it is not
ideologically linked to the Sangh and that it "has been independently
run since 1993" (see http://www.hscnet.org/fact.php) The available
information also shows that even after HSC obtained its own 501(c)(3)
status and presumably thus became de jure independent of the VHP-A in
2002 (see chapter 1),47 HSC continued to reproduce and legitimize the
Sangh Parivar’s ideology in its activities in the USA.

In 2003, HSC organized the Dharma Conference,48 where “three important
projects” 49 were launched:


Global Outreach for Students and Youth Against Violence (GOSYAV)
Educator's Society for the Heritage of India (ESHI)
NetSeva
While GOSYAV seems to have been put on the back burner permanently—we
have found hardly any mention of it since the announcement of its
formation—, ESHI and Netseva have been active in furthering the agenda
of the Sangh Parivar. We explore the nature of these initiatives by
the HSC and the VHP-A below.

2.4. Educator's Society for the Heritage of India (ESHI)

The National HSC is represented at the leadership level of ESHI by
Kanchan Banerjee and Nikunj Trivedi. 50 ESHI was founded “to address
the need for greater scrutiny of Indian and Hindu content in school
and college curricula and in the media.” 51 Proposed projects included
“Review of Middle School, High School and College Textbooks” wherein
“ESHI will review content in textbooks at various levels and, where
appropriate, contact authors, editors and publishers to suggest
changes in content.” The table on the next page lists cross-membership
at the leadership level between ESHI and other Sangh Parivar
organizations such as the Hindu Education Foundation. 52

NAME
ESHI
Sangh Affiliation

Mahesh Mehta
Advisor
Founder (VHP-A)

Beth Kulkarni
Training & Education
VP-Texas (VHP-A), Advisor (HEF)

Kanchan Banerjee
Co-Founder, VP Public Relations
VP for Youth (VHP-A), Co-Founder (HSC)

Nikunj Trivedi
VP for Students/New Generation Outreach
VP (HSC)

Abhinav Dwivedi
Advisor for Fundraising
Advisor (HEF)


In September 2004, ESHI held its first national conference on
“Contemporary Conceptions of Studies on India in Academia.” The
conference was co-sponsored by the HSC, and “information was shared
about various initiatives taken in different parts of the country for
providing education about India to middle or high school teachers and
students.” 53

In August 2005, the HSC and VHP-A, among other organizations,
participated in a “Dharma Summit” with the Hindu International Council
Against Defamation (HICAD). HSC's important role in the "summit" was
expressed most eloquently by Ved Chaudhary, conference coordinator and
founder of HICAD and President of ESHI, who “referred to HSC as his
right hand and his left hand.” 54 At this conference, Hindutva
luminaries, including K.S. Sudarshan, the Sarsanghchalak (Supreme
Leader) of the RSS, participated and launched the “Hindu Council
Initiative.” 55 This “initiative” explicitly tied the efforts of the
Hindutva movement in India to efforts in the U.S., as evidenced in
this excerpt from a report prepared by the Hindu Press International:

Youth education and guidance were foremost on most speakers’ minds,
with a secondary issue being the treatment Hinduism receives in the
dozens of textbooks used in American schools and colleges…However, the
books have given shabby treatment to Hinduism. Different speakers
explained how to approach the local school board at the time the books
were up for adoption, how to influence the selection and even future
editions of the books. 56

The conference served as the immediate impetus behind the launch in
September 2005 of what has come to be known as the California Textbook
Controversy 57 – an ultimately unsuccessful campaign spearheaded by
Hindu Education Foundation, Vedic Foundation and ESHI to modify middle
school textbooks in California along standard Hindutva ideological
lines. The Sangh Parivar sought to “sanitize caste and gender
hierarchies and discrimination that permeate ancient Indian history,
omit mention of caste and gender injustices in India today, and delete
the word dalit (former “untouchable” castes)” 58 from textbooks in
California. In support of the HEF/VF efforts in California, “ESHI also
contacted Prof. J.S. Rajput, former President of the National Council
for Educational Research (NCERT), India, to write about the efforts of
textbook corrections in India.” 59 Rajput’s central role in forcing
the insertion of distorted history, crude RSS propaganda and hate
speech into school textbooks in India in the late 1990s was widely
condemned by scholars of history in India and elsewhere, as was his
active participation along with the RSS and the BJP in the harassment
of scholars in India unwilling to toe the RSS line.60

The interventions in California by ESHI and other Hindutva
organizations are very much a continuation of similar efforts in India
by the Sangh Parivar. As an HEF volunteer proudly proclaimed in a
recent gathering of Sangh Parivar activists from all over the world:

“Through the Hindu Education Foundation run by the RSS in California,
we have succeeded in correcting the misleading information in text
books for primary and secondary classes.” 61 (emphasis added.)

Given the direct participation of leaders and members of the National
HSC in the formation and functioning of organizations such as the ESHI
and HEF, it would stretch credibility to claim that the HSC is not
trying to replicate in the US the Sangh Parivar’s campaign in India to
change the depiction of India and the history of its peoples in school
textbooks in the US to match the Sangh Parivar’s hate-filled,
distorted vision.

2.5. Netseva

The HSC website lists Netseva as one of its projects. Netseva’s
website was taken down shortly after the launch of CSFH’s “Truth Out
on HSCs” campaign in April 2007, but the “Projects” page in an
archived version of the website 62 suggests that Netseva started as a
fundraising arm for Ekal Vidyalayas: “At present Ekal Vidyalaya is the
only project supported by Netseva.” 63 What is not mentioned is that
Ekal Vidyalaya is a project of the VHP,64 and is a significant
component of the Sangh Parivar’s ongoing massive efforts to Hinduize
the Adivasis, the indigenous peoples of India, and recruit them as
footsoldiers in the RSS war on religious and ethnic minorities in
India. (aboriginals in India. This is clear from a sampling of
statements by various Sangh personnel and its official publication
Organiser (see Appendix B for details).

In 2005, the Indian Government stopped providing grants to Ekal
Vidyalayas following the publication of a field research study which
concluded that they were “misusing these funds, and using the grants
for creating disharmony amongst religious groups and creating a
political cadre.” 65

2.6. Questions that CSFH would like National HSC to answer publicly:

A. Does the National HSC support ESHI's efforts to modify school
textbooks in California and align them with Hindutva ideology, much
like the RSS attempted in India? Does HSC think it is good to distort
textbooks to erase, or even downplay, the societal violence and
injustice engendered by caste and gender inequities in India?

B. Why does the HSC support, financially and otherwise, the Ekal
Vidyalayas in India? Does the HSC condone the wholesale erasure of
Adivasi cultures, the indoctrination of Adivasi children into the hate
ideology of the Sangh Parivar, and the use, often forcible, of
Adivasis as foot soldiers in the Sangh Parivar’s war against religious
minorities in India?

2.7. The “Diversity” of HSC Speakers:

The HSC claims that its list of invitees to various conferences is
“diverse” and does not betray any ideological bias towards the Sangh.
Certainly, some non-Hindutva speakers have been invited to HSC events.
However, upon closer examination of the invitee lists for Freedom
Festival 1997 and Global Dharma Conference 2003, two key HSC-sponsored
conferences, we believe we see a clear pattern: The invitee lists are
dominated by speakers who are openly committed to the Sangh agenda,
often self-identify with the Sangh Parivar, and/or hold high offices
in Sangh Parivar organizations. Moreover, we suspect that the planning
and coordination of these HSC conferences proceed in consultation with
Sangh organizations.

The ideological trends are easiest to spot in events sponsored by
National HSC. For instance, the Freedom Festival in 1997 (FF97) was
HSC (organized) to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the 1857 revolt
or the first war of independence in India. Early planning documents
(see excerpts below) show that many speakers that the organizers
planned to invite were part of the Sangh Parivar, and that the Sangh
was helping to organize the conference.

GUEST SPEAKERS FROM ABROAD 66
------------------------------------------------
Atalji [for Vajpayee]: most likely to come for Boston and D.C.
conference
Arun Shourie: Cannot come for her (sic) wife’s illness.
An alternative name has been suggested by Ashok Singhalji: Shri
Narayan Swami, Sr. Editor of Indian Express, supposed to be very
effective and knowledgeable speaker on Indian affairs (except of name/
fame comparable with Arun Shourie)
Koenraad Elst (Belgium): agreed to come
Mark Tully (BBC): Invitation was sent but we have not heard from him
yet
T.N.Shesan: If Atalji comes then we don't need him
Burmese Leader Aung Sun: Sangh office in Myanmar adviced (sic) not to
invite her for political and other reasons.
-----------
Speakers:
Aparnaji from Chinmaya Mission, Atlanta
Bhishma Agnihotri
Dr. Mahesh Mehta
Dattopant Thengdiji (July 4)
Pandit Ramadheenji
Dayanand Saraswatiji (may be)
Anjleeben Pandya (may be)
Gaurang Vaishnavji (may be)

Of the 16 potential speakers mentioned, at least nine are identifiable
senior members of the Sangh Parivar – Vajpayee, Shourie, Elst,
Singhal, Agnihotri, Mehta, Thengadi, Gaurang Vaishnav, Dayanand
Saraswati and Anjali Pandya (see Appendix A for specific affiliations.
All nine of them are senior Sangh leaders. With few exceptions, the
FF97 speaker list is very clearly dominated and defined by Sangh
ideology at this early planning stage.

What is perhaps even more revealing from the planning exchanges is the
deference to, and coordination with, the Sangh leadership. With
Shourie apparently unavailable, the HSC relied upon Ashok Singhal, the
General Secretary of the VHP in India, to suggest an alternative. Even
worse, as indicated in the listserv conversation reproduced supra, in
considering to invite Aung San Su Kyi, the Burmese pro-democracy
leader, HSC’s planners acted upon advice from the Sangh office in
Myamnar that she was politically undesirable for a Sangh event.

The above extract is but one from a long collection of planning emails
that reveals much about the HSCs coordination with the Sangh in
planning FF97.

A similar pattern emerges in the Dharma Conference of 2003 (DC-03)
organized by the HSC. DC-03 gives the appearance of reaching out to a
broader audience through the inclusion of a number of non-Sangh
speakers and presenters.67 However upon closer examination of DC-03’s
speakers and their presentations two things becomes apparent. First,
the HSC has made an effort to sanitize the image of a solid Sangh
Parivar contingent consisting of high-profile leaders of various RSS
organizations in India and the U.S. This is done by projecting them as
“experts” on social issues, and playing down their record as Sangh
Parivar ideologues and leaders. Second, despite the apparent
‘diversity’ of speakers and presenters in DC03, the only group with a
consistent political ideology is the Sangh Parivar contingent. All
other speakers and presenters bring various types of spiritual self-
help and repackaged social conservatism to the event. A list of
speakers is tabulated on the next page.

Masking Sangh Leaders

Based on the brief blurbs provided by the HSC’s Dharma Conference
website, Sangh speakers did not directly talk about Hindutva. While we
do not know exactly what they presented to their audiences, it is
worth noting these blurbs if only to recognize how the purported
content jars with their track records as ardent advocates of Hindutva.
Balwant Apte and Dattatreya Hosabele, both senior veteran RSS leaders,
are identified with a session that claims to address “cultural
degeneration, sectarian violence and divisive politics,” and to act as
a springboard to “youth acting for societal transformation.” Mahesh
Mehta, the founder and long-time president of the VHP-A, the U.S.
counterpart of the VHP in India, leads a session claiming to expound
on the “dharma of science.” D.P. Sinha, who led the violent campaign
against the shooting of the film “Water” in Uttar Pradesh, forcing the
film-makers to go to another country to shoot a film about India,
leads a session titled “Do performing arts have responsibilities and
obligations?” The editors of the RSS mouthpiece “Organiser” and the
BJP mouthpiece “Panchajanya,” Seshadri Chari and Tarun Vijay,
respectively, held a session titled “Journalistic integrity and the
Dharma of the news.”

Sangh Speakers "Diverse Speakers"
Murli Manohar Joshi (BJP/RSS)
Subash Kak
Koenraad Elst
David Frawley
B K Modi (VHPO)
Mahesh Mehta (VHP-A)
D. P. Sinha (RSS)
Manohar Shinde (HSS)
Yashwant Pathak (SI/RSS)
Stephen Knapp
Yvette Rosser Ved Nanda (HSS)
Rama Jois (RSS)
N.V.Raghuram
Jatinder Kumar (IDRF/FISI)
Balwant Apte (RSS/BJP)
Dattathreya Hosabale (RSS)
Seshadri Chari (Ed. Organiser)
Tarun Vijay (Ed. Panchjanya)
Francois Gautier
S. Gurumurthy (Swadeshi Jagaran Manch/RSS) The Kanchi Shankaracharya
Dayananda Saraswati
Bawa Jain
Pramukh Swamiji
Tadatmananda Saraswati
Jonas Trinkunas


All of the session blurbs either completely excise the Sangh Parivar
affiliations of the Sangh speakers, or, rarely, gloss over these
affiliations by casting them in a positive light. Thus Mahesh Mehta is
described as “a polymer scientist by profession,” while Dattatreya
Hosabele “has worked with the ABVP (Indian Hindus student group) for
decades helping students act in their own interests and in the greater
interests of the country.” 68 D.P. Sinha is described as a “celebrated
cultural and political figure in India” and the “National Convener of
the Cultural Cell,” the latter a euphemistic reference to Samskar
Bharati, the RSS front which works to spread the Sangh Parivar’s socio-
cultural ideology. The editors of Panchajanya and Organiser are merely
described as “senior editors of newspapers in India.” Given all this,
the conclusion seems unavoidable that the authors of the conference
program deliberately played down the Sangh affiliations of these major
Sangh Parivar personalities.

Sangh Dharma and Commodity Dharma

The DC-03 website divides the conference sessions by topical area
under “self,” “family,” “society” and “world.” The bulk of the non-
Sangh speakers were featured under the topical areas of “self” and
“family” while Sangh speakers led sessions listed under the topics
“society” and “the world.” This distinction roughly corresponds to the
different emphases they brought to the table: the former brought self-
help and spiritual ‘products’ while the latter utilized the elastic
notion of ‘dharma’ to legitimate the Sangh Parivar agenda.

Sangh speakers and non-Sangh speakers may be considered as two
distinct groups; however it is the Sangh speakers who together have an
institutional basis for their politics; they are well-known players in
the global Sangh Parivar. Their participation is for the Sangh Parivar
and for Hindutva. To these swayamsevaks (self-described “selfless
workers”), “dharma” is synonymous with Hindutva. On the other hand,
the purveyors of self-help options for the immigrant middle class,
proponents of repackaged social conservatism and itinerant theorists
and enthusiasts of ethics and morality have no institutional or
ideological consistency amongst themselves. They cater to specific
audiences as vendors of packaged commodities. Their view of “dharma”
is shaped by their anticipation of markets for their products, and
draws on a long history of western fascination with the allegedly
“spiritual” qualities of Indian culture.

The HSC’s inclusion of a solid contingent of Sangh Parivar bigwigs
within a seemingly diverse group of speakers for DC03 makes sense when
we consider their desire to reach a larger audience: one that is
attuned not just to the cultural angst of young students faced with
the demands of U.S. ethnic/racial identity politics, but one that is
also solidly ensconced within a marketplace where self-help,
repackaged social conservatism and spiritualist quackery sells. The
same class to which young students who crave a ‘culture’ fix in
college campuses belong, also produces consumers eager to remake
themselves as model-minority citizen-consumers. This inclusion is also
shaped by the desire to legitimate the Sangh Parivar as an authentic
leader within the realm of syndicated, commercial, globalized
Hinduism. Under the garb of an all-encompassing, inclusive-sounding
and ultimately meaningless concept like “dharma” the marketplace can
seamlessly blend with the fascist rostrum and vice versa. It is all
“dharma” – from pricey incense sticks that claim to improve your
concentration, to the club that RSS shakhas teach their trainees to
wield against minorities.

2.8. Questions that CSFH would like National HSC to answer publicly:

A. How many HSC members attending FF97 knew of the political
affiliations of the speakers? Did they know that some of the speakers
had actively engaged in inciting anti-minority hatred in India? Were
HSC members aware of the fact that the Sangh Parivar was involved in
the planning and coordination of FF97? Why was such information kept
away from the membership?

B. Why were the speakers at the Dharma Conference predominantly Sangh
Parivar leaders and Hindutva promoters?

2.9. Individuals vs HSC as an Organization

One could argue that individuals from the HSC attending some Sangh
events does not necessarily make the HSC an associate of the Sangh.
However, such an argument is spurious not just because the HSC members
attending the Sangh events are very much there as representatives of
HSC, but also because these events were explicitly designed to bring
together people from different Sangh Parivar member organizations.
Consider the following:

In 1995, two years after the HSC claimed to have become “an
independently run organization,” HSC delegates attended the Vishwa
Sangh Shibir (World Sangh Camp) in Gujarat.69 The press release
following the Shibir had this to say:

“Many youths [sic] came to Bharat for the first time. They were
invited in a seven day camp hosted by Antra Rashtriya Sahyog
Pratisthan, Gujarat, a registered charitable trust, which is working
as a bridge organisation between non-resident Indians and Indians all
over the world.” 70

An internal Sangh document suggests that in 1997 a member of the HSC
Coordination Council attended a camp organized in India by the Akhil
Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (the student wing of the BJP). As part of
a “worker exchange” program.

Other Coordination Council members reported meeting ABVP leaders and
National Hindu Youth Federation leaders in the UK. An email from then
Coordination Council member Mihir Meghani reads: “We encourage key
workers from other countries to personally attend some of our programs
so we can exchange experiences and learn from each other.” 71
(emphasis added.)

It is instructive to note that the ABVP meetings held were privately
held and the meeting in UK with NHSF was one attended not by some
random individuals but by “HSC workers”.


Endnotes:

26. The National HSC has not formally responded to questions about
maintaining the Sangh Parivar’s electronic infrastructure, but Sudeep
Roy, “HSC regional coordinator for Northern California” (see
http://www.hscnet.org/articles.php?pid=80) made some comments during a
discussion organized by the Stanford HSC. A video of the discussion is
available at http://www.stanford.edu/group/hsc/video.html

27. See http://www.hscnet.org/articles.php?pid=80 (archive)

28. The near-identical early websites (dating back to late 1996 or
early 1997) of the RSS, VHP and Hindunet support this. See
http://web.archive.org/web/19970207195740/http:/www.rss.org
(archive),

http://web.archive.org/web/19961226114512/http:/www.vhp.org
(archive),

http://web.archive.org/web/19961105214052/http:/www.hindunet.org
(archive).

29. See http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/docs/hindunet_old.pdf

30. Domaintools lists Hindunet.org’s creation date as June 2, 1996
(see http://whois.domaintools.com/hindunet.org) (archive). For an
early archived page, see http://web.archive.org/web/19961105214052/http://www.hindunet.org)
(archive).

31. See note 11, supra.

32. See Ajay Shah’s introductory note (dated Dec 5, 1996) on the VHP
Governing Council listserv. (http://www.hindunet.org/archive/listmail-
vhpgc-l) (archive).

33. See, for instance, Ajay Shah’s emails dated April 10, 1997, July
27, 1997 & August 14, 1997, and Mihir Meghani’s email dated September
18, 1998 on the VHP Governing Council listserv. (http://
www.hindunet.org/archive/listmail-vhpgc-l) (archive).

34. See VHP-A General Secretary Gaurang Vaishnav’s email (dated
January 9, 1997) at http://www.hindunet.org/archive/listmail-vhpgc-l
(archive)

35. See Ajay Shah’s memorandum to the VHP-A, dated August 27, 1999, at
http://www.hindunet.org/users/ajay/MEMO.DOC (archive)

36. The GHEN team is listed on slide #19 of the file
ghen_bplan_new2.ppt (originally downloaded from
http://www.hindunet.org/ajay/hindunet_inc/feb2001/ghen_bplan_new2.ppt
), (archive)

37. See a brief note on the Sangh affiliations of Shah, Banerjee and
Israni.
38. See a brief note on the Sangh affiliations of Varma and Bolisetty.
(archive)

39. The HinduNet Management team is listed on slide #5 of the file
hindunet_syndication.ppt (originally downloaded from
http://www.hindunet.org/ajay/hindunet_inc/hindunet_syndication.ppt )
(archive)

40. For a brief note on the Sangh affiliations of BK Modi and Mahesh
Mehta, see Appendix A.

41. Ajay Shah's memorandum to VHPA (dated August 27, 1999, originally
downloaded from http://www.hindunet.org/users/ajay/MEMO.DOC) (archive)
reads: "While the day-to-day contents and development would rest with
the employees of the commercial GHEN, VHP/HSC and indeed the Sangh
parivar should have a say in the over all direction of the contents
development. In that, two members of the Borad (sic) of Directors
should be appointed by VHP/HSC."

42. WWWCorp was an entity founded by Ajay Shah, Rajiv Verma and
Srinivas Bolisetty.

43. According to a draft of a "Licensing Agreement" between WWWCorp
and VHPA, the "name and ownership of web sites operated as GHEN would
be completely transferred from VHP-A to WWWCorp in exchange for profit
and revenue sharing arrangements". The document was originally
downloaded from http://www.hindunet.org/users/ajay/ajayGHENagreement4.doc
(archive). We could find a number of drafts of the licensing
agreement, and have archived them on our website.

44. This conclusion is further supported by a draft of a "Memorandum
of Understanding" between WWWCorp, Ajay Shah, Srinivas Bolisetty and
Rajiv Varma of the First Part, Mahesh Mehta of the Second Part, and
Vest N Web, Inc. of the third Part which was to incorporate HinduNet,
Inc. Upon incorporation of HinduNet, 50% of its assets were to be
transferred to parties of the First Part, 10% to the Mahesh Mehta (of
the Second Part) who was to hold these shares for the benefit of VHP-
A. The MoU was originally downloaded from

http://www.hindunet.org/users/ajay/ghen.022701/hindunet_agreement.doc
(archive).
45. See note 27, supra.

46. This exchange is captured at approximately 49 mins to 52 mins into
the video recording of this discussion at http://www.stanford.edu/group/hsc/video.html

47. The “Summary of Accounts” attached with the 2000 Form 990 for VHP
of America, Inc., lists “National HSC” as one of its 27 chapters. The
HSC started filing its own Form 990s starting 2003, suggesting that it
was an independent legal entity in 2002.

48. The conference website lists the HSC as a “co-sponsor,” and the
HSC was one of the prime movers behind the event. Kanchan Banerjee,
the coordinator for HSC was the Conference Chairman, and Nikunj
Trivedi, the President of National HSC was the Public Relations
Director, and Rakhi Israni, the previous president of National HSC,
was listed as the Conference Program Director.

49. See http://www.dharmaconference.org/theConference.html (archive)

50. Nikunj Trivedi is currently President of National HSC. Kanchan
Banerjee’s current affiliation with HSC is unknown, but at the time of
the Dharma Conference in 2003, Banerjee was listed as coordinator of
HSC.

51. See http://www.dharmaconference.org/ESHI.htm (archive)

52. See http://www.eshiusa.org/aboutus.htm (archive). Elsewhere,
Kanchan Banerjee is referred to as a co-founder. See
http://www.eshiusa.org/NL-vol1_030805.htm.(archive) For a brief
overview of the HEF and Vedic Foundation, see
http://www.friendsofsouthasia.org/textbook/About_HEF_and_VF.html

53. See http://www.eshiusa.org/NL-vol1_030805.htm (archive)

54. See http://www.hvk.org/articles/0805/134.html (archive)

55. Lakshmi Ravu, Report on the Dharma Summit 2005, at

http://www.vedicfriends.org/reports_on_the_dharma_summit.htm (“Some of
the most important Hindu leaders in the world were present for this
event. Including: Sri Swami Dayananda Saraswatiji (the inspiration
behind the Dharma Summit, and convener of the event), Sri Chidananda
Muniji (the creator of the Hindu Encyclopedia project), Sri Bodhinatha
Veylanswami (Publisher of Hinduism Today Magazine) and several of his
sannyasis, Sri K. S. Sudarshan (leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh, the largest Hindu service organization on earth), Dr. Pranav
Pandya (leader of the several million members of the Gayatri Pariwar),
Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda (Ramakrishna Order), Dr. David Frawley
(Vamadeva Shastriji), Dr. Frank Gaetano Morales (the well-respected
American Hindu intellectual and philosopher), Sri Steven Knapp (a
prolific American Hindu author), and many others. These Hindu lights
and dignitaries all filled the first row of the auditorium. Several
Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh leaders were also present.”). (archive)
56. See http://www.vedicfriends.org/reports_on_the_dharma_summit.htm

57. See http://www.friendsofsouthasia.org/textbook

58. See http://southasiafaculty.net/catextbooks/files/CAEd_TextbookChanges_Factsheet.pdf
(archive)

59. ESHI Press Release, December 5, 2005, at

http://web.archive.org/web/20060118034534/http://www.eshiusa.org/PressRelease/ESHI_Press_Release_120605.pdf
(archive)
60. “Rajput ran a reign of terror,” stated Professor Anil Sadgopal,
BJVJ (Bharat Jan Vigyan Jatha – Indian People’s Science Movement/
Network) vice-president and professor of education at Delhi
University. “Nobody dared speak his mind at his meetings. People at
NCERT refer to that period as a bawander (whirlpool), a toofan
(cyclone) that has now hopefully passed. So many who asserted
themselves were abruptly transferred.” Operation Wipe Out, The Week,
20 June, 2004, available at
http://web.archive.org/web/20040618131506/http://www.the-week.com/24jun20/currentevents_article10.htm.
(archive) See also “Communalization of Education, The History Textbook
Controversy: An Overview,” Mridula Mukherjee and Aditya Mukherjee,
Professors of History, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru
University, 22 December, 2001, available at
http://www.sacw.net/HateEducation/MridulaAditya122001.html; “Hindutva
Ire: The NCERT's censorship of history textbooks represents a Hindutva
attack on the ideas of pluralism and tolerance,” Praful Bidwai,
Frontline Magazine, Volume 18 - Issue 25, Dec. 08 -21, 2001, available
at http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1825/18251120.htm
61. RSS Abroad: 'We are striving to keep our culture alive', Times of
India, Ahmedabad Edition, Dec 31, 2005, available at
http://www.friendsofsouthasia.org/textbook/TimesOfIndia_Article_RSSAbroad.html

62. See http://web.archive.org/web/20031212231144/http://www.netseva.org/
(archived on Dec 12, 2003).(archive)

63. See http://web.archive.org/web/20040221142307/www.cis.upenn.edu/~arunc/netseva/projects.html
(archived on Dec 12, 2003). (archive) Later on, Netseva started
supporting more projects.

64. See http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/bekal%20vidyalya/ekalvidyalayayojana.htm
(archive)

65. See http://www.hindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051907291200.htm
The study, "Final Report on the field visit and observations of Mr.
Avdhash Kaushal for Singhbum districts in Jharkhand and Tinshukia &
Dibrugarh district in Assam", also cites an instance where an Ekal
Vidyalaya teacher trained in “Hindu Culture” (by Vanbandhu Parishad)
ganged up with his colleagues to destroy a half-built church -- all in
the name of propagating Hinduism.

66. The Freedom Festival 97 planning documents were originally
downloaded from http://www.freeindia.org/archive/listmail-ff97-l)
(archive)

67. See http://www.dharmaconference.org/speakersguests.html (archive)
and http://www.dharmaconference.org/Program.htm(archive) for a full
list that includes such personalities as the actor Goldie Hawn, and
the new age guru Deepak Chopra among others.

68. In reality, ABVP, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, is the
political student-wing of the RSS and BJP, and is active in colleges
and on university campuses.

69. See note 9, supra.

70. Id.

71. Excerpted from an email from Mihir Meghani, dated January 6, 1998,
sent on the HSC Coordination Council listserv (originally downloaded
from http://www.hindunet.org/archive/listmail-hsc-cc) (archive)

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Chapter 3: ENGAGING THE HINDU STUDENTS COUNCIL

Here we summarize some of the efforts by CSFH to engage in public
discussions and reach out to various HSC chapters and individuals
since April 2007. These efforts continue and are meant to encourage
the various stakeholders to look at, discuss, and think about the
links between National HSC and the Sangh Parivar. The stakeholders
here include the HSC chapters, of course, and also those groups and
individuals in the U.S. that identify as “Hindu,” or “Indian,” or
“South Asian.” Such groups include those with primarily religious or
socio-cultural agendas, as well as individuals and groups with broad
secular and progressive mandates who are engaged in peace and justice
issues and are working against violence. We seek to continue this
engagement in the form of a series of questions posed to the HSC about
their activities linked to the Sangh Parivar.

As mentioned above, there have been two broad responses from the HSC
to the evidence that CSFH has presented. The first is the response of
local HSC chapters. Several have contacted us and we have developed an
important engagement with some of them. We wish to continue and
broaden this engagement and build a dialog with the desi-American
student population (more below). The second is the very different
response of the National HSC, which has chosen to respond largely in
the form of two press statements, neither engaging in any substantive
manner with the evidence we presented about the links between HSC and
the Sangh Parivar (http://www.hscnet.org/press.php). The second press
release was nothing more than an ad-hominem attack on CSFH members,
and even prompted the Stanford HSC chapter to ask that National HSC
retract the statement and desist from engaging in such politics
(http://www.stanford.edu/group/hsc/video.html). In the video recording
of the meeting at Stanford where attendees asked for the retraction,
the HSC regional coordinator for Northern California can be seen
attempting to deny the links between HSC and the Sangh (see the
discussion in Chapter 2, supra).

On our part, CSFH continues to welcome engagement with HSC chapters
and welcomes serious discussion about the linkages between the HSC and
the Sangh Parivar.

3.1. CSFH Engagement (with HSC chapters, desi-youth, media)

In April 2007, CSFH discussed the HSC–Sangh Parivar links at an open
forum during the Youth Solidarity Summer (YSS) in New York City. Of
the approximately forty desi-American youth present at the forum, a
number of students decided to write letters to the HSC members on
their campus seeking an engagement on this issue.
Since April 2007, CSFH has been in touch with a number of HSC chapters
and with university faculty on campuses with HSC chapters in an effort
to engage them in a conversation about the National HSC and its links
to the Sangh Parivar. The interactions have ranged from email
exchanges to extended conversations such as with the Stanford HSC. The
broad aim of these engagements is to initiate a public dialog on the
problematic presence of an organization such as HSC in the “liberal
multicultural” space of American universities. The presence of HSC is
problematic because of its links to the Sangh, especially the Vishwa
Hindu Parishad, perhaps the ‘leading light’ among the violent hate
groups that comprise the Sangh Parivar.

CSFH has put forth eight questions since April 2007 to further the
discussion on the issue of HSC–Sangh linkage. These questions,
available on our website, were also sent via e-mail to several HSC
chapter officers.

CSFH has had inquiries about our research from independent citizen
groups and media. We have generally responded via e-mail, and on one
occasion, engaged in a conversation on a radio show.

The most compelling engagement with the HSC has been with the HSC
chapter at Stanford. This exchange culminated in the chapter
organizing a public discussion to discuss the evidence presented by
CSFH on the links between HSC and the Sangh Parivar. Briefly, our
exchanges included:

A long email exchange which dealt with broad moral, ethical and
substantive issues raised by CSFH in the context of Hindus and
Hinduism in America, organizations that purport to speak for Hindus in
America, the principles of peace and tolerance, and the notion of
violence;

A public discussion that the HSC Stanford chapter hosted on its own
initiative in which CSFH’s letter to HSC Stanford was read out. A
video recording of the discussion is also available on the HSC
Stanford page on Stanford University’s website. 72

A statement which says: “Recognize that organizations like CSFH can be
valuable partners in helping us stay clear of fundamentalism, and
thus, their activism is of great benefit and will act as our
conscience.”73

3.2. Questions For Continued Discussion

In the spirit of building upon the engagements CSFH has initiated,
here are some key questions that remain unanswered by National HSC.
These questions should be seen as open invitations for dialogue in
multiple forms by the larger public who we believe are stakeholders in
interrogating links between organizations purporting to be tolerant
and peace-loving, and organizations that have an ideology of hate.
This is especially critical when the supposedly tolerant and peace-
loving organizations appear to be no more than a façade, a project of
the hate group to soften its public image and insert itself into the
larger public space.

What did VHP General Secretary Ashok Singhal mean when he said: “Now
the first project we have in mind is strengthening the HSC”?

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question5.html)
How does the National HSC explain its continuing links with the VHP-A
– years after it claimed to have become an “independently run
organization?”

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question4.html)
Why has the National HSC password protected the alt.hindu archives? Is
the obscuring of these discussions which happened in the public domain
in the mid 1990s linked to CSFH’s “Truth Out on HSC’s” campaign?

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question3.html)

The domain registration page for the National HSC's website
(hscnet.org), along with several other Sangh websites hosted on the
Global Hindu Electronic Networks (GHEN/Hindunet), used to list
"Hindunet Inc" as the "Admin Organization" and/or "Ajay Shah" as the
"Admin Name.” However, since the launch of our "Truth Out on HSCs!"
campaign, the "Admin Name" for the National HSC's website has been
changed to the rather cryptic "hv", and the “Admin Organization" has
been left blank. Furthermore, all references to the HSC have been
removed from the Hindunet/GHEN contact page. Notably, the copyright
paragraph at the bottom of the contact page has also been cleansed of
any reference to the HSC, thereby suggesting that GHEN is indeed
unconnected to the HSC. Why has the National HSC just recently changed
the Admin information for hscnet.org and also changed the contact page
on Hindunet (hindunet.com/contact.htm)? Is it an effort to keep the
chapters from seeing the connections between the National HSC and the
Sangh Parivar?

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question2.html)

Why did the National HSC build the Sangh Parivar's Global Internet
infrastructure and why does it continue to maintain it?
What justifies inviting an ideologue of hate like Sadhvi Rithambara
when the HSC vision statement claims “The entire creation is one big
family” and “Let everybody be happy, healthy, and blessed”?

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question6.html)

Were the students from HSC aware that Ram Madhav is a representative
of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)? Will the HSC continue to
provide venues to promote the politics and personalities of the RSS?

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question7.html)

If HSC has been "independently run since 1993," why did VHP-A seek to
trademark HSC’s logo and name in 2003, the very next year after the
anti-Muslim carnage in Gujarat? This is critical when one notes that
the "groups most directly involved ... include the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (World Hindu Council, VHP), the Bajrang Dal, the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that heads the
Gujarat state government. Collectively, they are known as the sangh
parivar, or family of Hindu nationalist organizations.”

(http://hsctruthout.stopfundinghate.org/PRs/pr_Question8.html)

CSFH is happy that some HSC chapters have addressed the issue with the
seriousness it deserves. We urge all HSC members, and the Indian-
American community at large, to examine the evidence and the arguments
in detail and arrive at their own conclusions. We are, as always, open
to any individual or groups who wish to discuss any particular details
or conclusions.

We believe that HSC chapters in the US have a special responsibility.
The National HSC derives its legitimacy through a claim of an
extensive chapter network across the US. Therefore, it is the
responsibility of individual HSC chapters to decide whether they wish
to be part of such a legitimation for the forces of the extreme Hindu
right. We urge all HSC chapters to re-position themselves to be
distinct and distant from the Sangh Parivar.

Endnotes:

72. See http://www.stanford.edu/group/hsc/video.html
73. Id.

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Sangh Invitees to Dharma Conference 2003

1. Murli Manohar Joshi: President of the BJP in 1990 and a central
minister in BJP government and senior BJP leader. BJP website states:
“Great RSS leaders like Guruji Golwalker, Deendayal Upadhyaya and
Prof. Rajendra Singh played a major role in shaping the young Murli
Manohar's political thinking” (http://www.bjp.org/leader.htm).

2. Subash Kak: Special guest invitee for the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh
organized retreat in 2004 (http://www.hssus.org/content/view/36/2/).
IN line with the desire of Hindutva ideology to “discover” that all
things good originated in India, Kak’s book (co-authored with David
Frawley – see below) In Search of the Cradle of Civilization
startlingly claims that vedic hymns contained advanced physics
formulae and this was discovered through Vedic introspection rather
than what modern science requires – empirical observation and
inference.

3. Koenrad Elst: A long-time Sangh ideologue, he finds the RSS
position on Islam “too soft,” wants Muslims to “renounce the Quran,”
has a hard time believing that Muslim women were raped in Gujarat in
2002 (). His statements on L.K.Advani’s rath yatra of 1990 being “an
island of orderliness” was used by Advani to defend himself against
the Liberhan Commission in 2001 which charged Advani of inciting riots
(From Frontline, v 18, issue 9, April 28 2001
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1809/18091000.htm)

4. David Frawley. A long-time Sangh ideologue, he spoke about the
“need to put forth the Hindutva concept before the World forcefully
and in an assertive manner by Hindu Scholars” (http://www.hvk.org/
Publications/global.html) in a speech delivered in 1996. Hindu Vivek
Kendra which hosts this page has a byline – A Resource Center for the
Promotion of Hindutva).

5. B K Modi: Elected in 1998 as working president (external) of the
VHP or the VHP Overseas (VHPO) specifically to represent the VHP in
USA (http://www.ofbjp.org/news/0798/0046.html).

6. Dr. Mahesh Mehta is the Founder of VHP of America. He served as
General Secretary of the National Organization from 1972-1989, and as
President from 1990-1994. Dr. Mehta organized the Global Vision 2000
program in Washington, DC in 1993 to commemorate the centenary of
Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Address. Over 12,000 people from all walks
of life and from 60 countries participated in this event. Dr. Mehta
has traveled in many countries to promote the objectives of Parishad
work. (Already in chp.2) Also, was National Coordinator of OFBJP
(http://www.bjpfriends.org/bjp-html/modules.php?
name=News&new_topic=18)

7. D. P. Sinha: Regular contributor to the RSS mouthpiece Organizer,
he heads the organization Sanskar Bharti which is the cultural wing of
the RSS (http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/
19980904/24750334.html). He was at the forefront of the call to ban
and prevent the shooting of the noted film Water in Uttar Pradesh
(http://www.hvk.org/articles/0200/3.html)

8. Manohar Shinde: a swayamsevak honored by the HSS (http://
www.hssus.org/gallery/v/WCOAST/SSV-04-west-coast/aby.jpg.html) and
serves as vice-president of the HSS. In an article in the Organizer he
was mentioned as “accepted that Hindutva is faced with a serious
challenge in the aftermath of the defeat of the BJP in the recent Lok
Sabha elections” (http://www.hvk.org/articles/1004/21.html).

9. Ved Nanda: Sanghachalak (Guide and Advisor) and President of Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh (http://www.hssus.org/content/view/88/2 and
http://www.hssus.org/content/view/130/2).

10. Dr. Yashwant Pathak: Sah Sanyojak, Vishwa Vibhag of Sewa
International (http://www.sewainternational.org/stvg.html). He is also
associated with International Center for Cultural Studies http://www.iccsus.org/
which claims that M.S. Golwalkar, the founder of the RSS “inspired a
multitude of organizations in India and around the world to work for
peace and upliftment of mankind.”

11. Stephen Knapp: A regular contributor to the RSS mouthpiece
Organizer, Knapp is a Vedic scholar who has held positions in American
universities. Holds position very dear to Hindutva such as the claim
that the Taj Mahal was a Vedic temple (http://www.stephen-knapp.com/
was_the_taj_mahal_a_vedic_temple.htm). He is President and treasurer
of the Vedic Friends Association on whose list of affiliates are the
usual suspects – David Frawley, Subhash Kak, Yvette Roser and Ramesh
Rao (http://www.vedicfriends.org/affiliate_writers.htm).

12. Yvette Rosser: Also goes by Ram Rani. Her writings on the lack of
Hindutva-friendly views within the American and Indian academies
(especially in religious studies, social sciences) are useful to the
Sangh. The VHP-A set aside some of its funds to help cover her medical
expenses after an automobile accident (http://www.vhp-america.org/
dynamic/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=32).

13. Rama Jois: an old-timer RSS activist who took part in the Sangh
Shiksha Varga (OTC), a training camp for RSS cadres back in 1942
(http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?
name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=143&page=34) and has continued to be a
leading legal advocate and defender of the Sangh and Hindutva in
India. In one of his most famous essays, Jois argues that Hedgewar,
the founder of the RSS was a “genius” and then exhorts people to join
the RSS (http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?
name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=96&page=21).

14. N.V.Raghuram: International coordinator of SVYASA in Bangalore is
a prominent speaker for Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh's birth centenary
celebrations of M.S. Golwalkar (the second chief of sangh), 'Speaker
on Campus' series (http://www.hssus.org/content/view/174/1/ and
http://www.hinduyuva.org/speakeroncampus). He is the main intellectual
source for most Sangh activities that present yoga to a non-specialist
audience.

15. Jatinder Kumar: One of IDRF’s founders, he is also an office
bearer of FISI which is the public relations arm of the HSS and
proudly offers glowing tributes to Narendra Modi whose government
oversaw the pogrom against Muslims in Gujarat, 2002 (http://
www.fisiusa.org). See Jitender’s statement about how the veteran RSS
leader, Thengadi helped him set up FISI in the USA (http://
www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=48&page=15).

16. Balwant Apte: He is a veteran RSS leader and was nominated to the
Rajya Sabha on a BJP ticket, and the Vice-president of the BJP in
2002. Headed the panel in 2002 for the BJP to select “ideologically
committed” workers from the RSS to contest elections and work for the
BJP (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030520/nation.htm).

17. Dattathreya Hosabale: currently listed on the RSS site as one of
two national “bauddhik pramukh” (intellectual leader) of the RSS
(http://www.rss.org/New_RSS/Organisation/KARYAKARINI.jsp). In the past
he has been a national organizing secretary of the RSS student union,
Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarti Parishad (ABVP) until 2003 when he took over
his current position in charge of “intellectual training” of new
recruits to the RSS ideology (http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/
full_story.php?content_id=20250).

18. Seshadri Chari: He joined the RSS at the “age of three” according
to an interview he gave with Rediff and went on to have an illustrious
career within the Sangh parivar – being the general Secretary of the
BJP in the 1990s and as editor of the RSS mouthpiece, Organizer since
the late 1990s into the present (http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/jul/
07inter.htm).

19. Tarun Vijay: He is the current editor of Panchjanya, the Hindi
weekly published by the RSS. Played a key role in the “doctoring of
school textbooks” to project a Hindutva ideology during the BJP regime
in 1998-2002 (http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1523/15230140.htm).

20. S. Gurumurthy:* All-India convener of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch

(http://web.archive.org/web/20041204173100/http://www.swadeshi.org/
dynamic/modules.php?
name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=4) (archive) which was founded in 1991 in
Nagpur by the leaders of the Sangh including Thengdi (the veteran RSS
trade unionist) and the ABVP – the student wing of the RSS.

21. Francois Gautier: A darling of the Sangh parivar, this
conservative French journalist (he writes for Le Figaro) has made some
of the boldest statements which defend Hindutva and Hinduism’s most
regressive and oppressive institutions. For example, he argues that
the main (if not the only) reason why Dalits and Adivasis are against
“mainstream Hindu society” is because there has been a “vilification
of the caste system” by the British

(http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/oct/18franc.htm).

22. Swami Tadatmananda: A disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati (who
is highly revered among the Sangh, not the least for his clear
veneration of the Guruji of the Sangh Parivar, M.S.Golwalkar – see
http://www.hssus.org/HinduSangamNJ/), Swami Tadatmananda serves as
steering group member (alongside Ved Chaudhry and Ved Nanda and
Kanchan Banerjee) for the Hindu Collective Inititative (HCI,
http://hcina.org/6.html) which tied the Hindutva efforts to rewrite
textbooks in India with the efforts to do the same in the USA. Here he
is seen in a photograph from a VHPA website
http://www.vhp-america.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=4

Other Invitees to Dharma conference who have been equivocal in their
espousal of Sangh ideology

1. Nikhileshwari Devi is a teacher of the International Society of
Divine Love (ISDL) and Barsana Dham Ashram.

2. Nitin Limaye, a prominent disciple of Sri Sri Ravishankar

3. Nivedita Joshi – Daughter of M.M.Joshi (see above).

4. Jayendra Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Kamakoti

Speakers/Invitees from Freedom Festival 99 (who don’t figure in the
Dharma Conference)

1. Anjali Pandya: VHP-A International Coordinator

2. Gaurang Vaishnav: General Secretary, VHP-A

3. Arun Shourie: Former Minister for Disinvestment under BJP-led
government, author and journalist well known supporter of the Sangh
Parivar.

4. Bhishma Agnihotri: Appointed by the BJP-led government as
“Ambassador at large” to promote the Sangh Parivar’s profile within
the U.S. political establishment.

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Appendix B: Ekal Vidyalayas and the Hinduization of Tribals in India

Asked about the “service activities carried out by other organisations
associated with the RSS”, Premchand Goel, Akhil Bharatiya Sewa Pramukh
(All India Chief of Service work) of the RSS, mentions VHP running
several Ekal Vidyalayas and Vidya Bharati (educational wing of the
Sangh) 1 running “thousands of Ekal Vidyalayas”. 2

An Organiser report dated May 23, 2004 quotes Shyam Gupta, Joint
General Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Yojana Pramukh (Chief
of Planning) of the Ekal Vidyalaya movement, as saying that “by the
end of 2011, Ekal Vidyalaya karyakartas would reach every village
where there is no facility to provide primary education to children.”
3

An Organiser report dated January 16, 2005 quotes Pravin Togadia,
general secretary of VHP, as saying that “the VHP has decided to start
Ekal Vidyalayas and other service projects in 25,000 villages of the
country.” 4 The report also explains the rationale: “He said that the
VHP wanted to expand its work in such a way that the Hindus, whenever
the need arose, could foil any conspiracy in the society. He pointed
out that 55,481 Samitis, 20,441 Satsang Kendras, 18,000 service
projects and 11,000 Ekal Vidyalays were already being run by the VHP
all over the country.”

In April 2005, a three-day Ekal Vidyalaya workers’ training camp
organized by Sewa Bharati (service wing of the Sangh), and graced by
RSS Sarkaryavah Mohan Bhagwat, VHP working president Ashok Singhal and
Sadhvi Ritambhara ends with a “firm determination to raise the number
of Ekal Vidyalayas to one lakh by the year 2011.” 5

In September 2005, the Organiser reported that the Vanbandhu Parishad
(Friends of Tribals Society, “an organisation affiliated with the Sewa
Bharti wing of the RSS” 6) was “going to set up Ekal Vidyalayas in
30,000 Vanvasi villages by the year 2007” 7

In a discussion of the VHP’s organisational network, a report in the
May 21, 2006 edition of the Organiser quotes Champat Rai, joint
general secretary of VHP as saying that “the VHP today had over 50,000
units across the country. Besides it, there are Bajrang Dal convenors
at 40,000 places, 12,000 service projects and 19,000 Ekal Vidyalayas
across the country.” 8

According to an Ekal Vidyalaya teacher: "We go for the RSS shakha
meetings regularly. The teachers are selected only if they subscribe
to the RSS way of thought." 9

Endnotes:

See http://www.stopfundinghate.org/sacw/appendixg.html

See http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=123&page=17
Ekal Vidyalaya is also mentioned as a project of the VHP in two other
Organiser reports dated February 29, 2004 (see

http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=12&page=13)
and October 17, 2004

(see http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=46&page=24
).

See http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=24&page=21

See http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=60&page=26

See http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=78&page=18

See http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/archive_full_story.php?content_id=39391
As noted in the article, “RSS’
Vishwa Samvad Kendra had sent out an invite for the function, clearly
stating that the Vanbandhu Parishad was an organisation affiliated
with the Sewa Bharti wing of the RSS”, but then President and a former
President of Vanbandhu Parishad both denied any affiliations with the
Sangh Parivar. Such an occurrence – the RSS proclaiming affiliation
with an organization and the latter distancing itself from the RSS
(thanks to its blood-soaked history) – is not at all uncommon.

See http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=96&page=26

See http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=131&page=37

See http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2106/stories/20040326004601900.htm

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About us
Who we are

We are a diverse group of people living and working in the United
States. We formed CSFH in 2002, in the aftermath of the pogrom in
Gujarat. We are primarily concerned with the following developments:

1. The rapid erosion of state tolerance and secularism, and the
potential descent into majoritarian fascism in India, and
2. The need to prevent material and ideological support for hate and
violence in India from outside India, especially in the USA

Among us are industry professionals, teachers, scientists and
students, and our members are from various faiths, as well as
agnostics and atheists. We contribute personal time and money to the
campaign and do not accept any institutional funding. We share a
vision of an India without hatred, where people are not persecuted for
their faith or political beliefs, and where state power remains
accountable to secular democratic values enshrined in the
constitution.

Our Focus: (Course of action)

We are deeply concerned about threats to pluralism and tolerance in
Indian society. Foremost among these threats, and thus our primary
focus, is Hindutva (thmovement of Hindu ultra-nationalism). Hindutva
is based on Hindu supremacist ideas, demonization of non-Hindus as
"foreigners" in India, and attempts to construct India as a Hindu
nation. Proponents of Hindutva have a demonstrated track record of
deploying state power to carry out what amounts to ethnic cleansing
and genocide, and of using state power to threaten the entire
country's non-Hindu minorities with genocide. Hindutva is a
majoritarian political ideology and as such appeals to a wider range
of the Indian population than can be described as "religious
extremists." However, we do not view Hindutva as operating in an
ideological vacuum. Instead, we view Hindutva as operating in
competition with and feeding off other exclusionary and supremacist
ideologies (such as political Islam and Christian fundamentalism) that
also have potential for hate and violence in India.

We recognize Hindutva to be part of the global growth of exclusionary
religious and cultural movements, a growth that is in part fueled by
the deeply inequitable outcomes of neo-liberal globalization, caste
and patriarchal oppression, and the complex and new politics of
identity among Indians in various quarters of the world.

The focus of our collective is on identifying and challenging the
material and ideological ties between the growth of Hindutva as a
political movement in India and its support bases in the United
States. We seek to staunch the flow of funds from unsuspecting donors
that fuel the RSS's violent activities in India, as well as the
efforts by Sangh Parivar operatives to legitimate the Hindutva agenda
by expanding their base among unsuspecting students in U.S. colleges.

CSFH stands in absolute solidarity with all groups, South Asian and
non-South Asian, that fight hatred. Our goal is to have a substantial
impact on the efforts to defend democracy and pluralism in India by
exposing to public scrutiny the activities of the Sangh Parivar in the
U.S.

...and I am Sid Harth

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 8, 2009, 5:02:19 PM9/8/09
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http://www.friendsofsouthasia.org/textbook/


Speak Out Against the Hindutva Assault on California's History
Textbooks

Nobel Laureate Dr. Amartya Sen's Views

The NCERT Case

Caste and Gender in Ancient India

The Coming of Aryans

About the Hindu Education Foundation (HEF) and Vedic Foundation(VF)

Fact Sheet and Chronology

We in California are facing a Hindutva assault on school history
textbooks of the kind that went on a few years ago in India. This is
an issue of rising concern in the California community, and we at
Friends of South Asia, as a group of Hindus, Muslims, Christians,
atheists, agnostics, and others with roots in South Asia, are alarmed
by these attempts to misrepresent the history of India and South Asia,
as well as the history of Hinduism.

Please join us in speaking out against these attempts to distort
history texts with propaganda, and make your voice heard in favor of
our children having an opportunity to learn our history as it should
be - unbiased, developed using scientific methods, based on
historical evidence from multiple sources of scholarship that has been
subjected to stringent standards of peer-review, and that is widely
accepted by historians and scholars worldwide.

UPDATES

April 30, 2006 - Court Transcript Exposes HAF’s Fraudulent Press
Releases. Press Release by FOSA and CAC. Transcript of Court
proceedings.

A recently-released transcript from the Superior Court of California
reveals that the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) and its allies have
misled the media and public about the proceedings during the court
hearing on April 21, 2006. At that hearing, the Superior Court of
California in Sacramento denied the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)'s
demand for a preliminary injunction against the publication of new
sixth-grade textbooks.

April 24, 2006 - Hindutva Defeated Again in California Courts. Press
Release by FOSA and CAC.
The Superior Court of California in Sacramento has rejected the Hindu
American Foundation (HAF)'s demand for a preliminary injunction
against publication of new sixth-grade textbooks. Several community
groups applauded this decision calling it a victory for secularism and
pluralism, and a victory for the children of California.

April 18, 2006 - University Faculty and Scholars on South Asia Submit
Declaration in Support of Amicus Curiae, Expressing Opposition to
Hindu American Foundation's Lawsuit

126 university faculty and scholars with expertise in South Asia
submitted a declaration to the Court denouncing the efforts of the HAF
to distort history. The faculty declaration challenged the changes
advocated by HAF because such changes would be historically
inaccurate, and also pointed out the Hindu nationalist ideology
underpinning these changes.

April 17, 2006 - South Asian Groups File Amicus Curiae Brief Opposing
Hindu American Foundation's Lawsuit

On April 17, FOSA and six other South Asian community groups, the
Ambedkar Center for Justice & Peace (ACJP), Campaign to Stop Funding
Hate (CSFH), Coalition Against Communalism (CAC), EKTA, Federation of
Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA), and the Guru Ravidass
Gurdwaras of California, filed a friends of the court brief (Brief
Amici Curiae) opposing the Hindu American Foundation's demand for a
preliminary injunction against the proposed textbooks. This brief
demonstrated the absurdity of HAF's claims that the proposed textbooks
maligned and misrepresented Hinduism and would "harm" Hindu children,
and questioned the legitimacy of HAF to speak on behalf of Americans
who profess Hinduism, leave alone all Hindus.

Mar 8, 2006 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Representing Women in California
Textbooks. Press Release by FOSA and CAC.

Representatives of women’s groups and gender studies faculty held a
press conference this afternoon at the State Board of Education (SBE)
to commemorate International Women’s Day and to urge the Board to
adopt textbooks that accurately depict the history of women’s struggle
against oppression. Speakers also read from a letter sent to the SBE
by seventeen prominent California legislators, including members of
the Assembly and Senate Committees on Education, the Women’s Caucus,
and the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, where they expressed their
dismay at the Curriculum Commission's recommendations, specifically
ones where the history of women's rights in ancient India was being
whitewashed, and warned about the dangers of revisionist history.

Feb 28, 2006 - Victory over Hindu nationalists in California textbooks
rewrite. Press Release by FOSA and CAC.

The intense struggle over the content of Indian history in California
textbooks ended yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the special
committee of the California State Board of Education [SBE] voting
unanimously to overturn a majority of contentious changes proposed by
Hindu right-wing groups to California school textbooks. This decision
is a victory for community organizations such as Friends of South Asia
(FOSA), the Ambedkar Center for Peace and Justice, the Federation of
Tamil Sangams of North America, and the Coalition Against Communalism
(CAC), who have worked diligently to ensure that ahistorical and
sectarian content proposed by Hindu right-wing groups is removed from
California textbooks.

Feb 24, 2006 - FOSA and CAC to participate in California State Board
of Education's public hearing. Board staff reject many contentious
changes proposed by Hindu Nationalist groups. Special committee to
decide on controversial textbook changes on February 27th. - Press
Release by Friends of South Asia (FOSA) and Coalition Against
Communalism (CAC)

Jan 15, 2006 - "California Educators Hear Impassioned Pleas from
Concerned Indians/South Asians to reject the Views of Hindu
Supremacist Groups in History Books" - Update on the CA Textbook issue
by FOSA and CAC

A broad coalition of Indians and other South Asians representing
Friends of South Asia, Coalition Against Communalism, Tamil Sangams of
North America, and various groups representing Dalits were present in
force at the California State Board of Education meeting in Sacramento
on January 12, 2006. They were there to express their strong
objections to some of the politically motivated edits to Grade 6
History books adopted by the Curriculum Commission on December 2,
2005, under intense lobbying from organizations such as the Vedic
Foundation (VF) and the Hindu Education Foundation (HEF). At the
meeting, the State Board announced the formation of a Sub-Committee to
investigate the Curriculum Commission’s recommendations.

Jan 10, 2006 - "Indian-Americans Decry Attempts by Hindu Supremacist
Groups to Rewrite India’s History…in California" - Press Release by
Friends of South Asia, Coalition Against Communalism, EKTA, Federation
of Tamil Sangams of North America (FeTNA), NRI-SAHI (NRIs for a
Secular and Harmonious India) and Vaishnava Center for Enlightenment.

BACKGROUND

California state textbooks come up for review every six years. This
year, the sixth grade texts relating to Ancient Indian history are
under review.

We recognize that most of these textbooks are inadequate for a number
of reasons and have many errors on Indian history. Taking advantage
of this inadequacy, two groups: Vedic Foundation and Hindu Education
Foundation (VF and HEF), backed by the Hindu American Foundation (HAF)—
all with demonstrable links to Hindu rightwing organizations –
suggested many changes in the depiction of ancient Indian history and
Hinduism in the text books. But instead of just making corrections to
erroneous texts, their proposed changes also reflect their supremacist
and chauvinistic political agendas, which seek to equate the history
of India with the history of Hinduism, and the living diverse religion
of Hinduism with a Brahmanical, Vedic religion frozen in time for
thousands of years.

As things stand now, the HEF and VF have managed to get the Curriculum
Commission (a purely advisory body to the State Board of Education)
to agree to a large number of their suggested changes in alignment
with their Hindu supremacist ideology (Hindutva). The only opposition
they faced was a last minute organizing by some Indologists (M. Witzel
from Harvard, S. Wolpert from UCLA and J. Heitzman from UCDavis with
around 50 other scholars supporting them, http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/witzelletter.pdf
) and a faculty letter from over 130 experts in South Asian Studies,
and South Asian professors at universities. While these interventions
did help prevent the inclusion of many incorrect and potentially
harmful suggestions, many other problematic Hindutva changes got
accepted by the Curriculum Commission on Dec 2, 2005.

We are quite dismayed by the acceptance of these “edits” by the
Curriculum Commission and are petitioning the State Board to reject
them. Because of the success of Hindutva mobilizations, the media has
been covering this issue in an alarming manner–this “controversy” is
being framed as a debate between some faculty (who are represented as
white and non-Hindus) and a monolithic, aggrieved Hindu community. We
reject this oversimplification along racial lines which allows a
complete dismissal of genuine scholarship, and would appreciate the
media paying more attention to the diversity of views within the
community itself.

For more information, including how you can participate in these
efforts, please follow the links on the left, or contact us at mail[at]
friendsofsouthasia.org

chhotemianinshallah

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http://stopfundinghate.org/FxH/100404SFHPressRelease.htm

Date/Time: Monday, October 4, 2004

Rebranding the Sangh:
US Universities Legitimate the RSS

The Campaign to Stop Funding Hate (CSFH) deplores the fact that
prestigious American educational institutions such as the Johns
Hopkins University and the University of Pennsylvania are granting
unprecedented legitimacy to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) by
providing an unmediated forum for its spokesperson, Ram Madhav. An
organization inspired and modeled on the Italian fascists and the
Nazis [1], the RSS has been responsible since its inception in 1925
for propagating a politics of hate and violence against non-Hindu
minorities [2,3], most recently evident in the massacre of 2,000
Muslims in Gujarat [4]. The RSS renders all of India's history as a
black and white picture of Muslim marauders and oppressed Hindus, and
makes no distinction between historical truth and pure prejudice in
its efforts to push its violent political agendas. What purpose can it
serve, then, to allow the RSS room to air its views, with neither
opposing viewpoints offered, nor contextual information provided?

A hardened RSS ideologue, Mr Madhav is on record as a key
representative of RSS positions. For instance, his recent warning of
the "very grave threat" posed by the rising Muslim population and
similar scaremongering against Muslims by his colleagues is very
reminiscent of the Nazi-era witchhunt of Jews [5]. While not overtly
eulogistic about the massacre of 2,000 Muslims in Gujarat like some of
his colleagues [6,7], he has been at least as steadfast in his defense
of the perpetrators [8] and critiqued "softer" stances that his own
partymen took on the issue [9]. What can students and faculty learn
from one with such "intellectual" credentials?

Free speech is a valuable ideal to protect when those who are being
denied access are powerless and when what such organizations and
people have to say would stand up to the bare minimum academic
scrutiny. Commenting on the issue Ra Ravishankar, CSFH collective
member said:

"Free speech is just a cover... Which RSS position stands up to
academic scrutiny? That Muslim invasions are the cause of contemporary
problems in India? That Indians must develop race pride like the
Nazis? This is not about free speech but about the legitimation of the
RSS in the United States."

While we appreciate the role of universities as places where diverse
views should be discussed and challenged, lending institutional
credence to an ideology that supports genocide [10] distorts the idea
of intellectual debate. Is it not ironic that victims of the Gujarat
carnage are gagged in India at each step in the judicial process even
as a first world educational institution promotes the voices of the
perpetrators [11]? In fact, to honey coat the RSS' credentials --
Johns Hopkins called it the "pre-eminent nationalist Hindu
organization in India" and University of Pennsylvania described it as
an organization emphasizing "Hindu-ness" -- is the very anti-thesis of
transparency and free speech. It is unfortunate that institutions that
will not have the gumption to host the KKK's official representatives
in the name of free speech could legitimate its Indian equivalent.

Indeed, we anticipate that if these talks serve any purpose, it will
be one that benefits the RSS's global objectives. Our 2002 report
titled, The Foreign Exchange of Hate [12], has shown thorough evidence
from federal tax documents how the Sangh Parivar, the larger RSS-
affiliated family of organizations, funnels out dollar contributions
gathered in the guise of charity to India to build its organizational
base; similarly, a 2003 British investigative report [13] documents
how the same Hindutva organizations channel charity funds from the
U.K. to India. The U.S. universities hosting Mr Madhav should be aware
that the record of this sponsorship will be flaunted in RSS self-
advertisements as evidence of how much credibility it enjoys in the
United States. Usha Zacharias, CSFH collective member summarized the
impact of the legitimation process as follows:

"They will provide what the RSS urgently needs: cosmetic legitimation
to make over its image after the Gujarat genocide, to gain a rebranded
identity stamped with a U.S. visa that it can now proudly market again
to raise funds in western currencies and to expand its political base
worldwide."

The decision is not complicated: can we take a stand to support
genocide, as the RSS did in Gujarat, 2002, when 2000 human beings were
massacred, only because we reside within the walls of the first world
academy?
References:

1.http://www.sacw.net/DC/CommunalismCollection/ArticlesArchive/
casolari.pdf

2. http://www.sabrang.com/srikrish/hinrole.htm

3. "The Hindu organizations most responsible for violence against
Christians are the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council, VHP),
the Bajrang Dal,and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National
Volunteer Corps, RSS). According to a former RSS member, these groups
cannot be divorced from the ruling BJP party: "There is no difference
between the BJP and RSS. BJP is the body. RSS is the soul, and the
Bajrang Dal is the hands for beating."
[http://www.hrw.org/press/1999/sep/christians.htm]

4."The groups most directly involved in the violence against Muslims


include the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council, VHP), the
Bajrang Dal, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) that heads the Gujarat state government. Collectively,
they are known as the sangh parivar, or family of Hindu nationalist
organizations."

[http://www.hrw.org/press/2002/04/gujarat.htm]

5. Venkaiah Naidu, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party
(political wing of the RSS) said, "It is disturbing that Muslims now
form 12.4% of the population" and that this was "a cause of grave
concern for all those who think of India's unity and integrity in the
long run." See
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/FI15Df02.html
http://newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20040907141014&Title=Top+Stories&rLink=0

6. VHP Working President Ashok Singhal claimed, "What happened in
Gujarat after the Godhra carnage had the blessings of Lord Rama." See
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=33391

7. VHP leader Praveen Togadia called the secularists the "impotent
fringe" and threatened to "make a (violent) laboratory of the whole
country." See http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5905_120559,0008.htm

8. See http://www.southasiamonitor.org/india/2003/aug/ind1.html and
http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=30&page=2

9. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/742988.cms

10. Golwalkar, an early political visionary who shaped the RSS,
explicitly endorsed Hitler's campaign against the Jews in Germany by
calling it a form of "race pride"" India should emulate [Golwalkar,
M.S. (1939), We, Our Nationhood Defined, Bharat Publications, p.35.].

11. India: After Gujarat Riots, Witnesses Face Intimidation [http://
www.hrw.org/english/docs/2004/09/23/india9383.htm]

12. The Foreign Exchange of Hate - IDRF and the American Funding of
Hindutva [http://stopfundinghate.org/sacw/index.html]

13. In Bad Faith? British Charity & Hindu Extremism
[http://www.awaazsaw.org/ibf/index.htm]

bademiyansubhanallah

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1. Purpose, Methodology and Organization

1.1 Purpose:

Hindutva, the Hindu supremacist ideology that has under girded much of
the communal violence in India over the last several decades, has seen
tremendous growth outside India over the last two decades. This report
focuses on one US based organization--the India Development and Relief
Fund (IDRF), which has systematically funded Hindutva operations in
India. "The Foreign Exchange of Hate" establishes that the IDRF is not
a secular and non-sectarian organization as it claims to be, but is,
on the contrary, a major conduit of funds for Hindutva organizations
in India

1.2 Methodology:

This report is a product of a careful study and analysis of more than
150 pieces of documentary evidence, almost three-quarters of which are
those published by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (henceforth, RSS or
Sangh) and its affiliates, either in printed form or electronically.
These documents are diverse in nature, including forms of
incorporation and tax documents filed by IDRF with the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) in the US, articles in Sangh Sandesh, the
newsletter of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, and occasional reports
published by different Sangh organizations in India and the US. The
remaining 25% of the documents are from secondary sources, largely
drawn from: mainstream media reports, including published interviews
with RSS, BJP and VHP leaders; reports of judicial enquiry
commissions; reports from citizen's panels; and reports published by
various Human Rights organizations. The methodological emphasis on
primary sources internal to the Sangh Parivar, is to ensure that the
evidentiary basis of the conclusions drawn is of the highest
standards.

1.3 Organization of this Report:

This report is organized into three parts. A brief introductory
segment outlines the broad contours of the Hindutva movement and
defines some terms used in the report, including those on this page
(such as Hindutva, RSS, VHP, BJP etc.). Those familiar with these
terms can proceed directly to the second part of this report, where a
detailed institutional analysis is presented; an analysis that clearly
establishes that IDRF is a RSS affiliate both in terms of
organizational connections and hierarchies, and in terms of personnel.
The final section of this report focuses on the IDRF's funding
operations and establishes the sectarian nature of the funding. To
ensure readability, the basic arguments and evidence are presented in
brief in the main body of the report. Supporting material is located
either as referenced footnotes or as appendices.

1.4 Summary of Findings

The purpose of this report is to document the links between the India
Development and Relief Fund (IDRF), a Maryland, US based charity, and
certain violent and sectarian Hindu supremacist organizations in
India. The IDRF operates in the US under the rules governing tax-
exempt charitable organizations. These rules prohibit such
organizations from participating in political activity of the kind
that involves funnelling money overseas to violent sectarian groups.
Further, the report provides evidence to argue that IDRF's claim of
being a non sectarian organization that funds development and relief
operations in India is disingenuous at best, and that this claim is
strategically designed to insert IDRF into the cultural milieu and
goodwill of the Indian diaspora as the 'charity of choice'.

This report is in four parts. Section 1 briefly outlines the purpose,
methodology and organization of the report. Section 2 is a brief
introduction to the Hindutva movement, its ideology, organizations and
operations in both India and the US. Section 3 is a detailed
presentation of the documentation that links IDRF to the Hindutva
movement. Finally, Section 4 specifically examines the financial links
between the IDRF, Hindutva organizations and violence in India. For
ease in comprehension this summary outlines the main points of
Sections 2, 3 & 4 - though Section 2 is essentially a summary of
established scholarship of the last fifty years.

The main points of this study are:

The Hindutva movement is a violent sectarian movement seeking to
create a Hindu Rashtra (an ethnically 'pure' Hindu Nation) in India,
in many ways similar to the Nazi idea of a pure Aryan Germany. It
seeks to exclude or eliminate religious minorities such as Muslims and
Christians and fix Dalits and Adivasis into an internal hierarchy of
caste.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, or the Sangh, literally, the
National Volunteers Corps) is the core organization of the Hindutva
movement, and it operates through hundreds of front organizations in
both India and the US.

From documents submitted to the US Federal government in 1989 as part
of its application for tax exempt status, it is clear that from its
very moment of inception, IDRF's goal was clearly to support the Sangh
in India. That IDRF supports Sangh organizations in India is thus not
a matter of accident but is instead the very purpose for its
existence.

Since its inception, IDRF's links with Sangh organizations in India
have grown dramatically. Of the organizations in India that it lists
as "sister organizations", an overwhelming number are clearly part of
the Sangh's family of organizations.

IDRF's leadership in the US has well-established links with the
Hindutva movement both in India and the US. Officials of IDRF in India
are also openly part of the Sangh.

Hindutva organizations in the US do extensive publicity and
fundraising for the IDRF. They openly acknowledge IDRF as a part of
the Sangh.

Of the funds that the IDRF transfers to India, almost two-thirds go to
organizations that can be identified as RSS organizations. About half
of the remaining funds go to organizations that can be identified as
sectarian Hindu organizations. In other words, less than 20 percent of
the funds sent to India by IDRF go to organizations that are not
openly non-sectarian and/or affiliated with the Sangh.

More than 50 percent of the funds disbursed by the IDRF are sent to
Sangh related organizations whose primary work is religious
'conversion' and 'Hinduization' in poor and remote tribal and rural
areas of India. Another sixth is given to Hindu religious
organizations for purely religious use. Only about a fifth of the
funds go for disaster relief and welfare-most of it because the donors
specifically designated it so. However, there is considerable
documentation indicating that even the relief and welfare
organizations that IDRF funds, use the moneys in a sectarian way. In
summary, in excess of 80 percent of IDRF's funding is allocated for
work that is clearly sectarian in nature.

Adequate documentation also exists to show that the IDRF funds
organizations in at least three states in India that are directly
involved in large scale violence against Muslim and Christian
minorities. This reports documents the case of an the IDRF
beneficiary, the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in Gujarat and its extensive
involvement in anti-Christian violence between 1998-2000 including the
physical destruction of Christian institutions, schools, churches,
colleges, and cemeteries and forcible conversions to Hinduism.

Secondary documentation also exists to show that the same Hindutva
organizations involved in the anti-Christian violence of 1998-2000
were involved in the Gujarat carnage of 2002 where, by most reliable
accounts, more than 2000 people, mostly Muslims, were massacred

...and I am Sid harth


bademiyansubhanallah

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The Foreign Exchange of Hate

IDRF and the American Funding of Hindutva

© 2002, Sabrang Communications & Publishing Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, India,
and The South Asia Citizens Web, France

Table of Contents

1. Purpose, Methodology and Organization

1.1. Purpose

1.2. Methodology

1.3. Organization of this Report

1.4. Summary of Findings

2. A Brief Outline of the Hindutva Movement
2.1. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

2.2. Hindutva: The Ideology of RSS

2.3. The Hindutva Movement and the Sangh Parivar

2.4. Constituents of the Sangh Parivar

2.5. Organization Structure of the Sangh Parivaar

2.6. The Methods of the Sangh: From Violent Riots to Planned Pogroms

2.6.1. --Violent Underpinnings of Hindutva

2.6.2. --The Sangh’s Participation in Communal Riots

2.6.3. --Targeted Violence Against Minorities: Two Recent Examples

3. Placing the IDRF Inside Hindutva: An Institutional Analysis

3.1. Institutional Links: IDRF as a U.S. branch of the Sangh
3.1.1. --The IDRF in US Government Documents

3.1.2. --IDRF In Its Own Words

3.2. The IDRF's Leadership: The RSS Ideologue
3.2.1. --The IDRF's Founders

3.2.2. --The IDRF's Other Office Bearers

3.2.3. --The IDRF's People in India 18

3.3 The IDRF and the Sangh in the United States

4. Funding Hate?

4.1. The IDRF Funds and Their Distribution
4.2. Funding Hinduization
4.3. The IDRF as a ‘Development and Relief’ Organization
4.3.1. --Relief

4.3.2. --Development

4.4. IDRF: Funding Violent Organizations?

4.4.1. --Anti-Christian Violence in Gujarat, 1998-2000

4.4.2. --Tribal Participation in the Gujarat Genocide, 2002

4.4.3. --Spreading Hate in Other States

Appendix A Hindutva: The Growth of Violent Hindu Nationalism
Appendix B The Blessed Nine! And The Sisters
Appendix C Sewa International: Service with an Ideological Edge
Appendix D Sewa Bharati: Hindu Consolidation at Any Cost
Appendix E IDRF Relief Efforts: Sectarian, Not Humanitarian
Appendix F Adivasi vs Vanvasi: The Hinduization of Tribals in India
Appendix G Education? or the Promotion of Bigotry?
Appendix H The Money Trail

All permission to reproduce this report must be addressed to Sabrang
Communications / SACW.
Send all inquiries to idrf_fx...@yahoo.com. We acknowledge the
critical assistance of Girish Agrawal, Angana Chatterji, Shalini Gera,
Biju Mathew, Ali Mir, S. Ravi Rajan and others in locating and
compiling material used in this report. Special thanks to Elahe
Heptullah for her invaluable assistance.

bademiyansubhanallah

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2. A Brief Outline of the Hindutva Movement

2.1 The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, or the ‘Sangh,’-- literally
‘National Volunteer Corps’), was started in 1925 for ‘propagating
Hindu culture.’ As an organization, the RSS is elusive and shadowy—it
is only open to Hindu males – primarily upper caste; it maintains no
membership records; it has resisted being registered with the
Government of India as a public/charitable trust; it has no bank
accounts and pays no income tax.

2.2 Hindutva: The Ideology of the RSS

The RSS advocates a form of Hindu nationalism, which seeks to
establish India as a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation), and rejects the
notion of a composite Indian identity brought about by a synthesis of
different cultures and faiths. The RSS claims to be inclusive of all
those who are racially and culturally Hindu and places outside of the
nation all those who adhere to and identify with a different faith or
ethos, thus establishing the idea of a Hindu Rashtra as an exclusive
one where minorities are, at best, second class citizens. This
particular ideology is variously called an ideology of Hindu pride,
Hindu patriotism, Hindu fundamentalism, Hindu revivalism, Hindu
chauvinism, Hindu fascism or Hindutva, depending on who controls the
definition. What is beyond doubt is the exclusionary and
discriminatory nature of the ideology. In this report we use the term
used most often in the mainstream press – Hindutva – which translates
literally to Hinduness or Hinduhood.

2.3 The Hindutva Movement and the Sangh Parivar

While the foundational core of Hindutva is inculcated in the RSS
swayamsevaks (volunteers) through training that begins from childhood
in its local shakhas (cells), the broad based work of spreading the
ideology and its politics is undertaken through a network of
organizations. The RSS (or more commonly, the Sangh) has created and
propagated organizations in every facet of socio-political life in
India—from political parties to children’s centers, trade unions and
militias. These groups are together known as the Sangh Parivar or the
Sangh Family of organizations. In recent years, the Sangh Parivar has
also expanded its operations outside India and made significant
efforts to reach the ‘Hindu’ diaspora, especially in the US, the UK
and the Caribbean.

2.4 Constituents of the Sangh Parivar

The spread of the Hindutva ideology in India is carried out at the
grassroots level through an army of swayamsevaks deployed by the Sangh
Parivar. The recruitment and ideological 'orientation' towards
Hindutva is done on many levels and fronts: at the grade school level,
or earlier, with Hinduised education, including such 'educational'
activities as the holding of Ramayan and Mahabharat competitions for
school children in tribal areas—largely with the goal of supplanting
tribal culture and traditions; with the 'celebration' of Hindu
festivals on a grand scale in areas with large non-Hindu populations;
and simultaneously, with the distribution of anti-minority pamphlets
and literature and the sporadic creation of anti-minority programs
such as the grabbing of minority land or buildings or the promotion of
riots and murder. For these purposes, the Sangh has set up hundreds of
smaller organizations all over the country, all supervised by
volunteers from the Sangh and centrally coordinated, even though each
claims to be independent of the Sangh.

While the RSS itself cannot currently accept monetary contributions
for its activities from abroad, each of the Sangh-affiliated
organizations has been designated a 'charity' and the Sangh actively
solicits foreign funding for these organizations. In other words,
given that the RSS has no corporate form and ensures an ambiguity
around its specific location and form, it would be quite correct to
argue that this myriad of smaller organizations together is what
precisely constitutes the RSS.

The most visible and active organizations of the Sangh Parivar are
represented below in a necessarily incomplete organizational chart of
the Parivar. Each of these organizations has an equivalent “sister”
organization in the US, which is shown in brackets in the chart below.
The central organizations of the Sangh Parivar are:

its parliamentary wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian
Peoples Party),
its cultural/political mobilization wing, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(VHP – World Hindu Council),
its paramilitary wing, the Bajrang Dal, and
its service wing, the Seva Vibhag.
Each of these has a US equivalent –

the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) mirrors the RSS with the Friends of
India Society (FISI) functioning as its public arm,

the Overseas Friends of the BJP runs the affairs of the BJP in the
US,
the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America does the same for the VHP, and
the IDRF looks after the Seva Vibhag’s activities in the US.

Further, Sewa International is the Seva Vibhag’s coordination body for
all international funds and service programs. In India, the Seva
Vibhag operates through hundreds of single purpose organizations
spread across the country. A sample of some of the prominent Seva
Vibhag organizations are listed in the chart below.

2.5 Organizational Structure of the The Sangh Parivar {and the US
equivalents}

Figure 1 - Organization Chart of the Sangh Parivar {and the US
equivalents}

2.6 The Methods of the Sangh: From Violent Riots to Planned Pogroms

Violence is a central strategy in the Sangh’s rise to political power.
Often the Sangh presents its use of violence as “self-defense” against
armed minority gangs—an idea that is supported by a claim that
Hinduism is inherently a tolerant and peaceful religion. While large
numbers of Hindus living all across India would shun violence just as
many others of different faiths do, Hindutva has, from its inception,
been very clear on the necessity of violence.

2.6.1 Violent Underpinnings of Hindutva

The use of violence as a political strategy has been clearly outlined
by some of the earliest proponents of Hindutva [1].

Golwalkar, the second Supreme Leader of the RSS, celebrated Nazi
Germany and “her purging the country of the Semitic races — the Jews.”
For Golwalkar, the “purging” of an entire people was entirely
justifiable as it was an expression of “national pride at its
highest…”

Just as Golwalkar celebrated Nazi Germany, so did B. S. Moonje, one of
the earliest proponents of Hindutva and the mentor of Hegdewar (the
founder of the RSS). Moonje traveled to Italy to meet with Mussolini
and study the methods of Italian fascism. Reflecting on what he saw in
Italy and seeking a reproduction of Italian fascist organization in
India he wrote:
This training is meant for qualifying and fitting our boys for the
game of killing masses of men with the ambition of winning victory…

2.6.2 The Sangh’s Participation in Communal Riots

Violence has not remained an abstract desire within Hindutva—there is
ample evidence that this essential and strategic understanding of
violence has continuously been practiced by the Sangh. Numerous
government reports have clearly indicted the Sangh for fomenting
communal violence [2]. In each of these communal riots that the RSS
fomented and participated in, the central strategy to greater power is
clear. For the Sangh each religious riots translates to greater
polarization between the majority Hindu community and the minority
communities. Further, riots serve as a basis for the RSS to work with
those parts of the “Hindu” community that are not part of the Hindutva
project.

In other words, every communal riot that the Sangh incites is the
basis for both:

a further separation of each religious community into its own ghetto,
and

the consolidation of the Hindu community around the ideology of
Hindutva.
While this dual process of polarization and consolidation has been
central to the rise to power of Hindutva, what has changed in more
recent times with the ascension of the BJP to State power, and the
growth of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal, is that the communal riot has
now transformed into an organized pogroms, where minority populations,
residences, businesses and institutions are targeted with almost
military precision.

2.6.3 Targeted Violence Against Minorities: Two Recent Examples

Anti-Christian Violence (1998-2000)

After 1998, when the BJP party came to play a leading role in the
government, violence against Christian minorities in India has
significantly escalated [3]. Between January 1998 and February 1999
alone, there were 116 attacks against the Christian community in India
[4], specifically targeting Christian missionaries, priests, nuns,
schools and churches. Documenting anti-Christian violence in 1999, the
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center report states:

“Most of these attacks have been perpetrated by individuals connected
to the Sangh Parivar, which is comprised of rightwing Hindu
fundamentalist organisations including elements from the ruling
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu
Council), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal and Hindu
Jagran Manch.”[5]

The Gujarat Genocide (2002)

The Gujarat Genocide of 2002 has been by far the most elaborate and
well-planned pogrom to date. Numerous reports have documented the
massacre of more than 2000 Muslims, the rape, mutilation and murder of
Muslim women, the specific targeting of Muslim businesses for burning
and arson, and the destruction of Muslim homes leaving in excess of
150,000 Muslims homeless [6]. According to the Human Rights Watch,

“The groups most directly involved in the violence against Muslims


include the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council, VHP), the
Bajrang Dal, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) that heads the Gujarat state government. Collectively,
they are known as the sangh parivar, or family of Hindu nationalist

organizations. … Numerous police reports filed by eyewitnesses after
the attacks have specifically named local VHP, BJP, and Bajrang Dal
leaders as instigators or participants in the violence.” [7]

What is currently unfolding is no longer simply the processes of
polarization and consolidation (though these continue), but a planned
effort at eliminating any semblance of power that a minority community
may have, either economic or social.

Probably there is no better way to understand the growth of violent
Hindu fascism in India than to look at it as the violent history
between two moments in independent India. The first is the
assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, the apostle of peace, by Nathuram
Godse, a prominent member of the Hindutva movement in 1948 and the
second is in Gujarat Genocide of 2002, in Gandhi’s homeland of
Gujarat.

(This part of the report describes various aspects of the Sangh and
the Hindutva movement in a summary form. For a more detailed
discussion of Hindutva and the Sangh see Appendix A.

The following examples have been taken from M Casolari, (1993)
Hindutva’s foreign tie-up in the 1930s: Archival Evidence, Economic
and Political Weekly, Jan 22, 2000.

Jaganmohan Reddy Commission on the Ahmedabad riots (1969), Madan
Commission on the Bhiwandi riots (1970), Justice Vithayathil’s report
on the Tellicherry riots (1971), Justice Jitendra Narain’s Report on
the Jamshedpur riots (1979) and Justice P Venugopal’s report on the
riots in kanyakumari (1982) are good examples of the Sangh’s
consistent involvement in riots.

Politics by Other Means: Attacks Against Christians in India, Human
Rights Watch Report, Sept 1999

According to the Indian Parliament, as quoted in Indian Christians are
victims of a 'concerted campaign', Jim Lobe, Asia Times, Sept 30, 1999

Violence against Christians continues—Method in the Sangh Madness A
Report by the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center, Aug 28,
2000.

See http://www.onlinevolunteers.org/gujarat/reports/index.htm for
reports by People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Communalism
Combat, National Human Right’s Commission, and different women’s
groups.

India: Gujarat Officials Took Part in Anti-Muslim Violence: Press
Release by HRW, April 30, 2002

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4. Funding Hate?

The preceding section establishes the organizational and personnel
links of the IDRF with the Sangh both in India and the United States.
However, it could be argued that while the Sangh is sectarian and IDRF
has well established links with the Sangh, that its funds do not
necessarily aid and abet Hindutva’s anti-minority programs. This would
be true if either the IDRF’s funds are distributed extensively to non
Sangh operations or if the funds provided to Sangh operations are
deployed towards purely economic empowerment of marginalized
communities and not implicated in sectarian Hindutva activity. This
latter aspect is especially relevant given the IDRF’s claim, both on
official US government documents as well as in its name and publicized
goals that it is non sectarian. After all “development” and “relief”
are largely understood as non-sectarian activities. Finally, if the
sectarian nature of the IDRF’s funding is established, it leaves just
one further issue as to whether the IDRF funds could be implicated in
more specifically the Sangh’s violent activities. In other words, does
the IDRF aid or abet Sangh sponsored violence? We evaluate each of the
above three possibilities in order.

4.1 The IDRF Funds and Their Distribution

As with other charities, donors to IDRF can earmark their gifts for
specific organizations in India (these are called donor-designated
funds), or leave it up to IDRF to disburse the funds in ways its deems
appropriate (IDRF-designated funds). In the former case, the IDRF only
accepts donations of $1000 or more, and assigns 10% of the donation to
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (a Sangh organization, see Appendix F).

In this section, we are primarily concerned with the IDRF-designated
funds; the disbursement of which is completely controlled by the IDRF.
While the details are presented in Appendix H, the main features of
the analysis are:

In the years from 1994 to 2000 for which the data is available,
roughly 75% of the IDRF’s total disbursements (over $ 3.2 million)
went to the IDRF–designated organizations.


A vast majority (in excess of 80%) of the IDRF designated funds were
sent to Parivar organizations, especially those affiliated with or
controlled by the RSS, the VHP and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA).
[36] This should be contrasted with the finding that for the same
period, only 10% of the donor-designated funds were earmarked for
Sangh charities.


Further, it is clear the IDRF disburses its funds in a highly
sectarian manner favoring the Hindu community. None of the
organizations funded can be identified with any minority community,
though 8% (in addition to the 83% that are Sangh affiliated) are
clearly identifiable as Hindu or Jain religious organizations. Only 2%
of the organizations funded can be recognized as secular
organizations.

Figure 2 – Percentage Distribution of IDRF Funds By Ideology


4.2 Funding Hinduization

An analysis of what the primary aim of the IDRF-designated
organizations reveals that the majority of them are indeed, not
involved in what is commonly understood as ‘relief’ and
‘developmental’ work.

Nearly 70% of the IDRF funds go to organizations dealing with
education (largely in adivasi/rural areas), hostels, 'shuddhi'/
reconversion programs, and Hinduization efforts;


about 8% goes for health and welfare work;


15% goes for relief work, and


only 4% towards what is normally understood in the NGO world as rural
development.[37]

Figure 3 – Percentage Distribution of IDRF Funds By Activities

The data above, contradicts IDRF’s first claim, that it supports NGOs
engaged in 'strengthening the roots of a democratic, secular,…
India,’[38] and serving the communities irrespective of their
religion. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Over 90% of its
funds are clearly in the hands of Hindu organizations which by the
very definition along religious lines are sectarian.


4.3 The IDRF as a Development and Relief’ Organization

4.3.1 Relief:

It is possible that in times of great need and emergencies, even a
religiously identified organization could grant assistance without
discrimination. Even this possibility is eliminated given that 80% of
the funds go to Hindutva organizations which have a track record of
being discriminatory even in the most calamitous of situations. Even
if we take natural disaster such as the Gujarat earthquake of 2001, it
is clear from accounts in the mainstream media, that Sangh
organizations used funds at their disposal largely to help Hindu
victims as against Muslim or Christian victims. In other words, the
15% of its funds that IDRF disbursed for "relief" must also be seen as
sectarian funds. Details of the sectarian nature of relief work after
the Gujarat earthquake are included as Appendix E.

4.3.2 Development:

The data presented above also casts serious doubts on the IDRF's claim
to be doing 'grassroots' NGO 'development' work. Only 4% of the funds
have gone towards economic empowerment. Under an expanded definition,
it could be argued that education and other kinds of welfare projects
do fall under the rubric of development. However, there is extensive
documentation available, that establishes beyond all reasonable doubt,
that “tribal education” in the language of Hindutva are essentially
aggressive programs to wipe out adivasi culture and religions, and
replace them with a Vedic upper caste version of Hinduism on the one
hand, and shuddhi (purification) and reconversion programs on the other
[39]. Two detailed notes on the Sangh’s operations in Tribal Areas and
the Sangh’s Educational Principles are included in this report as
Appendices F and G.

Thus, the most liberal estimate of IDRF's funds that go towards
“development” would be a meager 16% (economic programs and health and
welfare activity) and a large part – 80% or more goes towards activity
that is essentially sectarian.


4.4 IDRF: Funding Violent Organizations?

Though the IDRF has been in operation for over a decade in the US, it
is only over the last five years, that adequate documentation about
its activities has emerged, that makes visible IDRF’s funding of
organizations clearly implicated in violence against minorities in
India.

4.4.1: Anti-Christian Violence in Gujarat, 1998-2000

The period from 1998 to 2000 saw a spate of anti-Christian violence in
the tribal belts of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. For
instance, a Human Rights Watch report of 1999 states the following:
Attacks against Christians throughout the country have increased
significantly since the BJP began its rule at the center in March
1998. They include the killings of priests, the raping of nuns, and


the physical destruction of Christian institutions, schools, churches,

colleges, and cemeteries. Thousands of Christians have also been
forced to convert to Hinduism.[40]

A US State Department Report on International Religious Freedom
describes the following incident in Gujarat to illustrate the violent
threats and religious conversion processes in India:

On January 27, 1999, 12 Christian villagers were “reconverted”
forcibly to Hinduism under threat of the loss of the right to use the
local well and the destruction of their homes. The “reconversion” was
carried out by youths working with Swami Ashim Anand, a Hindu active
in “reconverting” tribals in the area. However, the villagers stated
that prior to becoming Christians they had not been Hindu. [41]


4.4.1.1 Swami Ashim Anand

In Gujarat, the laying of infrastructure for this conversion violence
is attributed to Swami Ashim Anand (variously called Swami Aseemanand
or Asheemanand). For the two years (1998, 1999) that he was active in
the Dangs district in Gujarat, not only did the Swami conduct forcible
re-conversions of tribals to Hinduism, he also spread terror amongst
the local Christians by organizing large-scale, aggressively militant
Hindu rallies on Christmas eve and Good Friday in tribal villages with
significant Christian populations. [42]

Swami Ashim Anand is documented by Sangh activists as part of the
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in Gujarat. Ashwin Modi, the President of the
Surat unit of the Bajrang Dal, identifies the Swami as part of the
“Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, an organization affiliated to the VHP.” [43]


Further documentation for the same comes via a story in Indian
Express, a mainstream newspaper in India, which identifies Swami Ashim
Anand as “the national president” of the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad and
reports the Swami’s recent presence in the Dangs as follows:

After coming to Waghai a couple of years ago, the Swami had
spearheaded the formation of Bajrang Dal units in every village. The
recent violence against the Christian community was reportedly led by
activists groomed by the Swami. [44]

4.4.1.2 The Link to the IDRF

The linking of Swami Ashim Anand with the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad and
his mandate as the creation of the Bajrang Dal units in the tribal
villages of Gujarat, provides a critcal link to the IDRF. Chetan
Gandhi, one of the Vice Presidents of IDRF, writes in a report on his
visit to Gujarat and to the ashram at Waghai as follows:

Swami Ashimanandji is in charge of the Ashram’s activities in this
district… though is as some (sic) only before 18 months he is well
known as respected by the community. [45]

Further, it is not difficult to explain the presence of an IDRF vice
president in Gujarat and his reporting on the activities of the
Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad in Waghai. The Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad is a
direct beneficiary of the IDRF. It is listed under the title “IDRF
Supported Projects in Gujarat.” [46]


4.4.2: Tribal Participation in the Gujarat Genocide, 2002

The anti-Muslim pogroms that took place in the state of Gujarat this
year had a surprise element in them—the active participation of the
adivasis in the violence against the Muslims. Several commentators
have noted the role played by Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad and the
Vivekananda Kendra (both funded by the IDRF) in actively communalizing
the tribal mind, and creating the anti-Muslim ethos[47]. An affiliate
organization, the Vanavasi Seva Sangh, has also been identified as an
active participant in the anti-Muslim, anti-Christian indoctrination
of tribals. [48]


4.4.3: Spreading Hate in Other States

Such cases of the IDRF funding of organizations directly implicated in
the violence is not restricted to Gujarat alone. Documentation exists
also for a similar role played by the IDRF in supporting organizations
such as Sewa Bharati, Ekal Vidyalays and the VKA implicated in
violence against Christians in Madhya Pradesh[49]. The implication of
Sewa Bharati, Madhya Pradesh in anti-Christian violence has been
recognized by the local State government, which has taken an extreme
step of revoking the license of Sewa Bharati, an the IDRF funded
organization, because of its part in spreading anti-minority violence
[50]. Similarly, activists with the Vanavasi Kalyan Parishad in Kotda
(also directly supported by the IDRF[51]) led a campaign of terror
against the Muslim families in the Juda village, leading to their
large-scale migration to neighboring villages[52].

In summary at all levels, the IDRF’s implication in sectarian work,
including support for organizations of the Sangh that are directly
implicated in violent actions over the last four years, is well
documented. The documentation presented leads us to a simple and
single conclusion – the IDRF does fund hate.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


36. See Appendix H, consolidated spread-sheet of the IDRF grants from
1994 to 2001. Source: Annual Reports from the IDRF web-site.

37. These numbers are our approximations based on inexact information
about all the grantees. See Appendix H, consolidated spread-sheet of
the IDRF grants from 1994-2001. Source: Annual Reports of IDRF

38. A NRI’s Quest For Serving The Underprivileged, by Dr. Vinod
Prakash

39. For example, Bharat Kalyan Pratisthan, which received over $86,000
in the IDRF funding for ‘tribal welfare’ has been specially designated
by the VHP to receive money for Shuddhi ceremonies for Dalits and
Tribals, “to neutralise the Conversion Crisis that is presently
threatening to swallow up the Hindu Society” and also “to re-establish
the spiritual & moral glory of Hinduism,” according to the Hindutva
ideologue SP Attri http://www.hinduweb.org/home/general_sites/essays/proshuddhi.html

40. Anti-Christian violence on the rise in India: New Report details
politics behind extremist Hindu attacks Press Release by the HRW Full
Report at POLITICS BY OTHER MEANS: Attacks Against Christians in India
HRW Report, September 1999

41. U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious
Freedom for 1999: India Released by the Bureau for Democracy, Human
Rights, and Labor, Washington, DC, September 9, 1999

42. Trouble anticipated in Dangs village after Swami's return, Indian
Express, April 3, 1999 and Halmodi tense as HJM gears up for
shilanyas, Basant Rawat, Indian Express, December 22, 1999

43. Christian tribals beaten up, ostracised in Gujarat village, Basant
Rawat, Indian Express, December 4, 1998

44. Controversial Swami does a disappearing act, Indian Express,
February 4, 1999

45. http://www.idrf.org/news/vanvasi/

46. http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/gujarat.html

47. Tribals made cannon fodder in Gujarat's communal war, by
Chandrakant Naidu, Hindustan Times, May 6 2002,

48. Poisoned Edge: The Sangh exploits Dalit and tribal frustration to
recruit soldiers for Hindutva's 'war,'
Davinder Kumar, Outlook June 24, 2002.

49. Sewa Bharati and Ekal Vidyalays organized the Hindu Sangam in the
tribal belt in Madhya Pradesh earlier this year. A report from Sewa
Bharati is available at http://www.hvk.org/articles/0102/98.html. The
aggressively anti-Christian flavor of the meet, and the concomitant
tensions it created are described in RSS temples for tribals spell
trouble for Digvijay, Yogesh Vajpeyi, Indian Express, January 7th
2002 . For Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram’s role, see Appendix F.

50. RSS outfit stripped of its licence in MP, Yogesh Vajpeyi, Indian
Express, February 28th, 2002

51. The IDRF lists Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. Kotda in its “Statewise
Listing of Sewa Programs” http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj1/IDRF_PAG/RAJASTH/Rajind.htm

52. VHP offshoot behind reign of terror, Mohammed Iqbal
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/11/13/stories/02130005.htm

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3. Placing the IDRF Inside Hindutva: An Institutional Analysis


The IDRF (India Development and Relief Fund) was set up as a tax-
exempt, non-profit organization in 1989 under the provisions of
section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. Its official, self-stated purpose
is to raise money for organizations in India “assisting in rural
development, tribal welfare, and urban poor.”[8] According to its tax
filings, the IDRF raised $ 3.8 million in the year 2000, of which it
disbursed $1.7 million in ‘relief and development work.’[9]

The IDRF has claimed time and again that it has no connections with
the Sangh Parivar. In response to a recent magazine article
highlighting some of the links[10], the IDRF issued a statement
denying the connection[11], “It [the IDRF] is not affiliated to any
group, 'ism', ideology political party.” During an exchange on the
online portal Sulekha.com, the Vice-President of the IDRF wrote,
”There is no relation between VHP/RSS and IDRF. Fullpoint."[12]

However, a closer scrutiny of the projects that the IDRF funds, of the
IDRF itself, of the affiliations of its office-bearers, and of the
organizations that support it and raise funds for it, reveals that the
IDRF is fully linked with the Sangh Parivar and the Hindutva movement
in India. This segment of the report will outline:

a) the institutional links between the IDRF and the RSS and its
affiliates in India;

b) the links between the IDRF and RSS in terms of the overlaps in
personnel, and

c) the links between the IDRF and the US affiliates of the RSS.

The next part will specifically look at the financial links between
the IDRF and the RSS projects in India.


3.1 Institutional Links: the IDRF as a U.S. branch of the Sangh

The institutional links between the Sangh and the IDRF are extremely
well documented. There are two levels at which these links can be
examined:

a.) through documents submitted by IDRF to various US Federal and
State Government agencies.

b.) through documents published by IDRF as part of its public
relations and advertising machinery.

3.1.1 The IDRF in US Government Documents:

The most important of the documents submitted by the IDRF to the
Internal Revenue Service of the United States is its application for a
tax exempt certificate. Form 1023, duly filled by the IDRF executives
when it was created in 1989, identifies nine organizations as a
representative sample of the types of organizations the IDRF has been
set up to support in India. These nine organizations are:


Vikas Bharati (Bihar)

Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (Tamil Nadu)

Sewa Bharati (Delhi)

Jana Seva Vidya Kendra (Karnataka)

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram(Madhya Pradesh)

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Gujarat)

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Nagar Haveli)

Girivasi Vanvasi Sewa Prakalp (Uttar Pradesh)

G. Deshpande Vanvasi Vastigrah (Maharashtra)

All nine are clearly marked Sangh organizations. For instance,

In Sangh literature, the origins and growth of Vikas Bharati is
described as follows:
The Vikas Bharati stream, which originated in the fountainhead called
Sangh, has been quietly flowing towards the ocean called society,
gathering many additional streams on the way.[13] (emphasis added)


Similarly, the Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (SVRDS) is
a sister organization of the VHP in Tamil Nadu[14]. While the stated
goal of SVRDS is rural development and education of tribals,
considerable documentation exists to show its emphasis on tribals
learning practices that surround Hindu religious festivals.[15]


Of these various service organizations, Sewa Bharati is, in India, the
most commonly RSS identified service organization [16]. Sewa
International’s website [17] has extensive documentation of Sewa
Bharati, and its religious/theological actions rather than service/
developmental work. The following report on the work of Sewa Bharati
in Samatadham Basti extracted from this site is illuminating:

After Sewa-karya [service] started, a temple has come into being.
Daily pooja [prayer service] takes place in the temple with Arati.
Because of this, the feeling of Hindutwa in our households has been
awakened. All this is the contribution of Sewa Bharati.
For a more extensive documentation of the above nine organizations,
see Appendix B. Of these nine organizations, Sewa Bharati is a crucial
organization in terms of direct funding from the US. Hence it is
covered especially in Appendix D.

The above three examples should suffice for now to point us towards an
important conclusion: the nine organizations that the IDRF identifies
as sample organizations that it will support in Form 1023, are all
clearly marked Sangh operations. This illustrates the point that from
its very moment of inception, the IDRF’s goal was clearly to support
the Sangh Parivar in India. That the IDRF supports Sangh organizations
is thus not a matter of accident but is instead definitional of its
very design.

3.1.2 IDRF In Its Own Words:

A far more extensive set of linkages between the Sangh and the IDRF
than identified through the nine organizations in Form 1023, emerge
when we examine the organizations that the IDRF identifies as its
“sister organizations.” the IDRF lists nine subheadings under ‘Sister
Organizations’[18] — the ninth of which is called ‘IDRF’s affiliates
in India’— a collection of 67 other organizations. Combined with the
first eight sister organizations listed, it brings the total number of
“sister organizations” to 75.

Of these 75 organizations, 60 are clearly identifiable as Sangh
affiliates in India. The remaining fifteen organizations are not
classified in this report as RSS affiliates, not because we have
evidence that show that they are independent organizations, but
because there is very little information available on them per se. It
is thus possible that most, if not all fifteen, are RSS affiliates.

If the nine organizations listed on Form 1023 point to the commitment
of the IDRF to supporting RSS operations in India, this list of 60
(75) is sufficient evidence to indicate that since its inception in
1989, the IDRF has systematically grown and developed into a core
participant in the foreign fund drives organized by the RSS. The list
includes some of the organizations that are flagships for the RSS
operations. Some of these are described below:

Ekal Vidyalays (One Teacher Schools) is a VHP project aimed at the
indoctrination of students in remote, tribal villages.[19]

Vikasan Foundation started by the Hindu Seva Pratishthan and Jana Seva
Vidya Kendra is also a Sangh organization [20] whose stated goal is to
promote Indian culture in India and abroad. However, like all Sangh
organizations, it conflates the ‘Indian’ culture with its version of
‘Hindu/Vedic’ culture and collects money for funding gurukuls (Hindu
religious schools, equivalent of the Islamic madrassas) in India and
abroad.

Bharat Vikas Parishad is identified by the RSS as its branch
organization that aims ‘to involve entrepreneurs and well-off sections
of the society in National service and for protecting Bhartiya
values.’[21]

Sewa International is IDRF affiliate in India overseeing IDRF’s Indian
operation. In terms of international funding, it may be amongst the
most significant of IDRF’s “sister” organizations. It is a Sangh
Parivar organization set up primarily for the purpose of coordinating
foreign contributions for different Sangh projects in India.
Sevadisha, the publication of the Seva Vibhag (Service Wing) of the
RSS lists Sewa International as its arm established specifically to
find international support for organizations working under the Sangh
ideology:

“Yet another development is the establishment of an international
organization titled Sewa International which now has branches in many
countries. Sewa International will look after the interests of seva
[service] related issues not only in the respective countries where
they have chapters but also take up global level care of sewa
[service] work carried out under the Sangh ideology. [22]
We document here, in brief, these four flagship organizations of the
Sangh to point to the centrality of the IDRF in Sangh operations. From
its inception in 1989, the IDRF has grown not only in terms of the
extensive list of the RSS organizations it supports but also in terms
of its affiliation and support for critical Sangh operations. The IDRF
thus is not a marginal organization within the Sangh framework but
clearly an important, if not a core constituent.

A complete list of all seventy five “sister organizations” are in
Appendix B (along with the nine organizations listed on IDRF’s Form
1023) with evidence of their status as Sangh affiliate organizations.
Of the seventy five, the detailed descriptions of Sewa International
is included as a separate appendix, Appendix C, because of the
critical role that Sewa International plays within the domain of
international funding for the RSS.

3.2 The IDRF’s Leadership: The RSS Ideologue

The institutional analysis above is further strengthened through a
brief look at some of the IDRF personnel. Many of the people
associated with the IDRF, including its founders, affiliates in India,
and its officials, have extensive links with other Hindutva
organizations in this country or the Sangh Parivar in India.

IDRF's Founders:


Bhishma Agnihotri, a well-known RSS ideologue and a HSS Sanghchalak
(Supremo), is one of the founders the IDRF[23]. HSS is RSS’s
equivalent organization in the US and UK.


Two of the IDRF’s other founders, Jatinder Kumar and Ram Gehani, are
office bearers of FISI. Mr. Gehani is also associated with the OFBJP.
FISI is the public relations arm of the HSS. OFBPJ[24] is the overseas
arm of the BJP.


Vinod Prakash is one of the founders of the IDRF and also its
President since its inception. The HSS Newsletter, Sangh Sandesh, for
January 2001 announces the opening of a tribal boys hostel by Sewa
Bharati, MP named after ‘Sarla Vinod Prakash,’[25] the wife of Vinod
Prakash. Both Sarla and Vinod Prakash are listed as founders of the
IDRF. Members of the Prakash family were present at the inauguration
and shared the stage with Mr. Ashok Singhal, the international
President of VHP, who has currently been in the news for voicing his
"appreciation" of the anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat and the
"cleansing" of several Gujarati villages of their Muslim residents.
[26]


The IDRF's Other Office Bearers:

Of the 6 Zonal Vice Presidents listed on IDRF’s website, four are HSS
volunteers, and one of them is on the National Governing Council of
the VHP of America.[27] The General Secretary of the IDRF, Shyam
Gokalgandhi, is also responsible for running the Balvihar of the HSS
in the San Fransisco Bay Area.[28]


The IDRF's People in India:

Shyam Parande, the India Advisor of IDRF, is listed in an article from
The Observer, as ‘the organizer of Sangh activities abroad.’ Vijay
Mallampati, India Coordinator for IDRF, is also actively involved with
the Sangh Parivar, and acted as the Mukhya Shikshak (Chief Instructor)
at one of the HSS camps in the US.[29]

3.3 The IDRF and the Sangh in the United States

The preceding two sections establish the organizational and personnel
based links between the IDRF and the Sangh in India. In this section,
we turn the lens around and look at the IDRFs links to Hindutva’s US
operations. Hindutva in the United States has grown systematically
ever since the 1980s, experiencing exponential growth in the 90s
corresponding with the boom in professional Hindu-Indian migration
from India to the United States. This has meant that the growth has
been in pockets with larger concentrations of the professional Hindu
migrant – largely the West Coast, the North East and the Southern
states of Florida and Texas.

Hindutva organizations in the US do extensive publicity and

fundraising for the IDRF. Often the IDRF and the VHP-America are the
only ‘service organizations’ recognized by these groups, completely
neglecting respected non-sectarian development and relief
organizations, such as Association for India’s Development (AID), Asha
for Education, Pratham-USA, Child Relief and You (CRY), India
Development Service (IDS)and Indians for Collective Action (ICA).

A multi media presentation commissioned by the HSS, commemorating 75
years of the Sangh identifies the IDRF as a Sangh organization in the
US, and urges people wishing to support the Sangh in India to donate
generously to IDRF.[30]


The FISI and the HSS hold fund-raising drives for IDRF[31], which are
usually centered around topics such as ‘Islamic Terrorism.’ These
events, centered on such themes, function both as fundraisers as well
as ideological training sessions that justify their opposition to
Indian Muslims by seeking to link all Muslims in India with the
wrongdoings of any Muslim anywhere.


Hindu Unity, a militant Hindutva website and the voice of Bajrang Dal
abroad —which openly advocates violence against minorities and
maintains a ‘hit list’ of people opposed to its views—provides links
to IDRF[32]. This is the only ‘development’ related organization
listed on its page along with a number of Sangh Parivar organizations,
or some even more militant Hindutva sites.


The IDRF also hosts web pages for the HSS [33], where the HSS is
introduced as an organization “started in the USA and other parts of
the world to continue what RSS is doing in India.


Several Hindu Student Council chapters (student wings of the VHP-
America) raise money for the IDRF as part of their ‘seva’ activity.
[34]
VHP-America, Hindu Universe, Nation of Hindutva, HinduWomen, Global
Hindu Electronic Network, HSS-UK—all Hindutva sites—provide links to
the IDRF and identify it as a ‘Hindu’ charity. [35]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. From the exemption application of the IDRF filed with the IRS in
1989.

9. Form 990 filed by the IDRF for the 2000 tax year

10. Deflections to the Right by Ashish Sen, Outlook, Jul 22, 2002

11. Response to recent malicious media reports

12. 'A Left-Right Upper-Cut To The RSS' by Ramesh N Rao, Sulekha,Com,
Jun 15, 2002
(see readers comments #82 and 88)

13. http://www.sewainternational.org/integrate.html

14. http://www.sewainternational.org/vhptamil.html

15. In a report to the IDRF, SVRDS states that it conducted
competitions for Krishna Jayanthi (a Hindu Festival) in which the
school children participated enthusiastically. It should be kept in
mind that these tribals do not consider themselves Hindu, nor do they
usually observe Krishna Jayanthi.

16. The RSS lists Sewa Bharti under the title of “Various Alike
Organizations”

17. Social Harmony; Ennobling Social Conduct

18. http://www.idrf.org/frontpage/OtherOrgs.html

19. http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/bekal%20vidyalya/list_ekalvidyalaya.htm

20. The VHP lists Hindu Seva Pratishthana as its organization in the
field of education, http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/aSewa/NSNS/intheserviceofpoor.htm
. For Jana Seva Vidya Kendra, see Appendix B.

21. http://www.rss.org/BHARAT%20VIKAS%20PARISHAD.htm

22. http://www.hssworld.org/seva/sevadisha/sevadisha1/rss_seva_vibhag.html

23. Agnihotri’s connections with the RSS are detailed in the newspaper
article, Agnihotri's posting criticized, The Hindu, Aug 30th, 2001
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2001/08/30/stories/02300007.htm.
Bhishma Agnihotri was appointed as the leader of HSS in the USA as
reported in the HSS newsletter (National Adhikaris of the HSS (USA),
Sangh Sandesh, January 2000, page 11 http://www.hskonline.co.uk/hss/assets/JAN00.PDF
. Agnihotri’s connection to the IDRF is revealed in a program
announcement for the Festival of India seminar held on August 16,
1997, where he is introduced as ‘a founding member of the India
Development and Relief Fund.’ http://www.ipnatlanta.net/aug15/seminar-pro.doc.

24. Jatinder Kumar and Ram Gehani are two of the four officers of IDRF
listed on its exemption application, which it filed in 1989. Jatinder
Kumar is listed as a vice-president of FISI in a newspaper article on
the people who met with the then General Secretary of the BJP,
Narendra Modi on his visit to the US (BJP leader meets with community
groups, India Abroad, July 9, 1999). Ram Gehani is listed on FISI’s
web page as the contact for Maryland http://www.fisiusa.org/fisi_pages/us_chapters.htm
, and was part of ‘a delegation of the Overseas Friends of the BJP
which called on Robert Seiple, ambassador-at-large, who runs the
International Religious Freedom office within the State Department to
express their concern about sections of the controversial annual
report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 in India that
implicitly criticised the Indian government for the increase in
attacks on the Christian community in India.’ (Seiple defends
religious report, says it does not target BJP, by Ramesh Chandra, The
Times of India, Sept 18th, 1999)

25. A Sewa Dham in Madhya Pradesh, Sangh Sandesh, January 2001, page
10.

26. ‘We’ll repeat our Gujarat experiment’, Indian Express, September
3, 2002

27. Abhay Belambe (IDRF VP, East Zone) is associated with the HSS as
evident from this announcement for the Vijay Dashmi celebrations of
the HSS -- http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_10/msg00165.html .
Vijay Shrivastava, (IDRF VP, East Zone) is the HSS contact person in
Atlanta, GA (http://www.ipnatlanta.net/hss/contact.htm ) Vijay Pallod
(IDRF VP, Central Zone) is listed as the governing council member of
the VHP in the article, Dharma Sansad Seeks To Involve 2nd Generation
Indian Americans, Arthur J Pais, Rediff.com, Sept 9, 1999
http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/sep/09us1.htm , and is also the HSS
contact for Houston, TX http://www.hindunet.org/alt_hindu/1995_Jul_1/msg00071.html
. Chetan Gandhi (IDRF VP, West Zone) is also listed as the contact for
Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh in Cerritos, CA http://www.ci.cerritos.ca.us/cominfo/comgroups.html

28. http://www.indolink.com/SFO/balVihar.html

29. Shyam Parande: RSS goes global, chalks out expansion plan, by
Suresh Unnithan in The Observer, April 3, 1998 http://www.markazdawa.org/rss.htm.
For Vijay Mallampati, see the report of the North American winter HSS
camp in the HSS newsletter, Sangh Sandesh, Dec 99, page 9
http://www.hskonline.co.uk/hss/assets/DEC99.PDF

30. http://www.hssworld.org/usa/wc/shakha/LosAngeles/rss_75years_files/frame.htm

31. http://www.fisiusa.org/fisi_Campaigns/bd_hindu_solidarity_day.htm
, http://www.fisiusa.org/fisi_press_rel/pr7.htm

32. The Hindu Unity website (http://www.hinduunity.org) been yanked
off the web once before by one of its website host for publishing hate-
filled pages (http://www.rediff.com/us/2001/jul/24usspec.htm). The
hitlist—a collection of politicians, artists, writers and religious
leaders whom the Hindu Unity considers opposed to its viewpoint of
Hindu Supremacy—appears on http://www.hinduunity.org/hitlist.html.
IDRF appears on its links page under the title of ‘Other Hindu and
India related Organizations’ http://www.hinduunity.org/links.html

33. http://www.idrf.org/flyers/balvihar/html/hss.html

34. The GMU HSC unit advocates raising money for the IDRF and also for
publicizing its activities (see http://www.gmu.edu/org/hsc/seva_gmu.html
). The HSC at the University of Illinois at Chicago is raising money
for IDRFto fund Swami Vivkekananda Mission in Kashmir (http://
icarus.cc.uic.edu/stud_orgs/religion/hindu/home.html ) Also the Dharma
project of the National HSC in its ‘seva’ edition, promotes dontations
to the IDRF (http://www.dharmalife.org/November.htm )

35. http://www.vhp-america.org/michigan/linkWebs.html ,
http://www.hindulinks.org/Seva/, http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/9089/links/organisations.html,
http://www.hinduwomen.org/seva.htm, http://www.noblecauses.com/india/index.htm
, http://www.hssworld.org/uk/html/maincontent/internationallinks.html

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Appendix A

Hindutva: The Growth of Violent Hindu Nationalism

This appendix provides detailed support and elaboration of the
descriptions and arguments in Part 1 of this report. Accordingly, it
follows in large part, the same structure as Part 1 of this report. We
cover the following ground in this appendix:

1. Hindutva, the RSS and the Sangh Parivar
2. The Sangh Parivar: The Institutional Infrastructure of Hindutva
3. The Effects of Hindutva: Violent Pogroms and the Destruction of the
National Fabric

A.1 Hindutva, the RSS and the Sangh Parivar

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS, or the ‘Sangh,’-- literally
‘National Volunteer Corps’), was started in 1925 for ‘propagating
Hindu culture.’ As an organization, the RSS is elusive and shadowy—it

is only open to Hindu males – primarily upper caste, it maintains no


membership records; it has resisted being registered with the

government of India as a public/charitable trust; it has no bank


accounts and pays no income tax.

The RSS advocates a form of Hindu nationalism, which seeks to


establish India as a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation), and rejects the
notion of a composite Indian identity brought about by a synthesis of

different cultures and faiths. This particular ideology is variously


called an ideology of Hindu pride, Hindu patriotism, Hindu
fundamentalism, Hindu revivalism, Hindu chauvinism, Hindu fascism or

Hindutva. What is beyond doubt is the exclusionary and discriminatory
nature of the ideology. The last mentioned – Hindutva (Hinduness/
Hinduhood) – is the term most popularly attached to this ideology and
will be term of choice in this appendix.

This exclusionary and discriminatory ideology is built around a
complex and ingenious definition of “who belongs” or “does not belong”
to the Indian nation. Probably the most explicit characterization of
the question of “belonging” is outlined by the second sarsanghchalak
(supreme leader) of the RSS, M. S. Golwalkar. He writes:
The foreign races in Hindusthan [India] must either adopt the Hindu
culture and language, must learn to respect and hold in reverence
Hindu religion, must entertain no idea but those of the glorification
of the Hindu race and culture, i.e., of the Hindu nation and must
loose (sic) their separate existence to merge in the Hindu race, or
may stay in the country, wholly subordinated to the Hindu Nation,
claiming nothing, deserving no privileges, far less any preferential
treatment — not even citizen's rights. There is, at least, should be,
no other course for them to adopt. We are an old nation; let us deal,
as old nations ought to and do deal, with the foreign races, who have
chosen to live in our country.”[53]

Golwalkar’s commentary on who belongs to the Hindu Nation, apart from
its open fascist overtones, is peculiar because it contradicts the
popular understanding of Hinduism as a religion. Instead, it frames
Hinduism as a culture and Hindus as a race who adhere to a Hindu
culture. In this peculiar but brilliant redefinition lies the
specificity of Hindu fascism. It is unlike most of Euro-American
fascism – whether it be Nazi Germany and its notion of Aryan purity or
neo-fascist movements such as the KKK or BNP – which are all
biologically defined ideas of racial purity. Hindutva’s cultural basis
seems to remove it from such standard forms of fascism. However, the
equation of race with culture – as in Golwalkar’s “Hindu race and
culture” – introduces a notion of purity through the back door.
Lochtefeld (1996), analyzing Savarkar, the man who preceded Golwalkar
and the first Supreme Leader of the RSS, unpacks this redefinition as
follows:

Savarkar [who first expounded on the Hindu Nation] defined a Hindu as
anyone regarding India as a fatherland and holy land, and to this day
these remain the litmus test. This defines the Hindu nation on
cultural criteria—as a people united by a common cultural heritage—and
from the start Hindutva proponents have insisted that the word ‘Hindu’
refers to a cultural rather than a religious community…. One must look
at who this definition excludes. Savarkar’s definition of a Hindu is
plastic enough to include everyone in a notoriously polyform
tradition, but the condition that one regard India as the Holy Land
largely excludes both Muslims and Christians. This definition equates
Hindu identity and Indian nationalism, meaning that religious
minorities are not only ‘aliens’, but because of their
‘extraterritorial loyalties’ (to holy lands in Arabia and Israel),
they are also potential traitors.”[54]

The ingenuity of tying culture and race together is that it makes
possible a definition of a “pure” nation where none is otherwise
possible. India, per se, is a fascinating melting pot of races and
cultures. Even distinctions such as white and black as available in
the US (though those are also mostly spurious) are entirely impossible
in India. By defining belonging through a territorially contained
notion of culture, it becomes possible to denote some minorities as
within the ambit of “the Hindu” and others as outside it. A large
number of minorities – Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains, for instance are
objects of integration. So also, Dalits and tribals (adivasis) though
historically oppressed by upper caste Hindus are in this definition
not excluded from the nation. The idea here is to redefine these
minorities as “Hindu” – where a certain specific upper caste Hinduism
(Sanatan Dharma), is the hegemonic pure form and all others are at
varying distance from this purity. In contrast, Muslims, Christians,
Parsis and Jews, are clearly defined as outside the fold of the
Nation, not because they have not been part of India for centuries but
because their cultural signifiers are seen as lying external to the
territorial nation.

The definition of “pure” is what aligns Hindutva with classical
fascism of the Nazi kind. Golwalkar is clearly inspired and convinced
by the Nazi experiment of attempting to purge a land of all those who
don’t fit into a definition of German-Aryan purity. He writes:

German national pride has now become the topic of the day. To keep up
the purity of the nation and its culture, Germany shocked the world by
her purging the country of the Semitic races — the Jews. National
pride at its highest has been manifested here. Germany has also shown
how well–nigh impossible it is for races and cultures, having
differences going to the root, to be assimilated into one united
whole, a good lesson for us in Hindustan to learn and profit by. [55]

Today, the political leadership of the Sangh spends some marginal
effort at denying any relation to Nazi Germany but does little to
explain the distinction between its ideology and that of Nazi
Germany.

In terms of ideology then, the Sangh’s brand of fascism is
simultaneously indigenous and imported. Clearly their broad ideas of
purity and exclusion are not very different from Nazi Germany.
However, the peculiar conflation of culture and race does make this
brand of fascism unique.

A.2 The Sangh Parivar: The Institutional Infrastructure of Hindutva

Institutionally, given that the RSS is itself an organization that is
secretive and without specified membership, its visibility is low. It
functions primarily through a broad range of organizations that exist
in every aspect of sociopolitical life in India – what is referred to
as the Sangh Parivar (Sangh family) of organizations. However, before
we explicate this visible structure of the Sangh Parivar and its chief
constituent organizations, we need to pay some attention to the
minimal aspects of what is visible as the RSS.

A.2.1 The Role of the RSS Shakha

The core unit of the RSS is referred to as a shakha (cell). The shakha
is a place for swayamsevaks (volunteers) to come together for physical
and ideological training. These shakhas operate in large numbers of
neighborhoods in India (and are now spreading across the US), and
produce a constant stream of 'volunteers' who become the foot-soldiers
for the Sangh's projects and organizations. Here too, specific links
can be drawn between European fascism and the RSS. B. S. Moonje, the
mentor of the founding father of the RSS, Hegdewar, visited and met
with Mussolini and was granted permission by Mussolini to observe and
understand the nature of the fascist organizational structure[56].
Moonje played a crucial role in molding the RSS along Italian
(fascist) lines. The deep impression left on Moonje by the vision of
the fascist organizations is confirmed by his diary.

The idea of fascism vividly brings out the conception of unity amongst
people... India and particularly Hindu Indians need some such
institution for the military regeneration of the Hindus: so that the
artificial distinction so much emphasised by the British of martial
and non–martial classes amongst the Hindus may disappear… Our
institution of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of Nagpur under Dr.
Hedgewar is of this kind, though quite independently conceived. I will
spend the rest of my life in developing and extending this Institution
of Dr. Hedgewar all throughout Maharashtra and other provinces. [57]

Moonje’s central concern while looking at Italian fascism was, as he
says, with the aim of “developing and extending this Institution.”
Thus the RSS cell structure of shakhas (cells) grew with some clear
similarity to the cell structure of Mussolini’s National Socialists,
also borrowing with it the core ideas of physical training of youth
and militarism. Moonje’s diaries are very explicit in acknowledging
the centrality of violent militarism to the RSS strategy.

This training is meant for qualifying and fitting our boys for the
game of killing masses of men with the ambition of winning victory

with the best possible causalities (sic) of dead and wounded while
causing the utmost possible to the adversary. [58]

The swayamsevaks generated at the Shakhas are seamlessly tied into the
Sangh Parivar infrastructure. Swayamsevaks go on to direct and run,
projects of every size and shape – from Bal Vihars (Children’s
centers) to opening up new shakhas, from student politics (through the
Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) to paramilitary operations
(through the Bajrang Dal). The Sangh permeates every aspect.

A.2.2 The Sangh Parivar and Its Constituents

At the national level, swayamsevaks emerge to direct and run its most
important institutions – the BJP, the VHP, the BD and the Sewa Vibhag.
Each of these institutions also have an equivalent organization in the
US – the RSS has its image mirrored through the HSS, the BJP in the
OFBJP, the VHP in the VHP of America and its student wing – the HSC,
the BD in Hindu Unity and finally the Sewa Vibhag in IDRF. Below is a
brief description of each – the Indian organization first, followed by
its US equivalent as well as a summary chart.

RSS –Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh: The core fount of Hindutva
Ideology.


HSS: The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh is the US equivalent of the RSS. HSS
is registered as a tax-exempt charity in the US, and like the RSS in
India, is one of the main proponents of Hindutva in the US. According
to one of its flyers, “HSS is started in the USA and other parts of
the world to continue what RSS is doing in India.”[59] The RSS website
states that the primary purpose of the HSS is to protect the children
of Hindu parents from the “vicious propaganda and corrupt conversion
techniques of Christians and Muslims”[60]. Note the central concern of
diasporic life in this definition is the possible “impurity” of
Christian or Isamic influence. Much like the RSS branches in India,
HSS also holds physical training exercises and camps, where the
Hindutva doctrine is expounded. The structure of the RSS is duplicated
in the US, with the Sanghchalak being the highest office bearer in the
US.


BJP: The Bharatiya Janata Party: This is a political party that
participates in electoral politics. It is currently in power in the
Indian state of Gujarat, which recently witnessed some of the most
gruesome violence against Muslims. At the center in New Delhi, it is
the leading member of a coalition that is currently in power.


OFBJP—Overseas Friends of BJP: This is the BJP support group in the
US. While it cannot monetarily support the BJP directly from the US,
many OFBJP functionaries work with other Sangh operations in the US to
propagate Hindutva. In addition, it works to mobilize opinion in
Washington D.C and invites BJP leadership from India to the US to meet
with the Indian Diaspora.


VHP—Vishwa Hindu Parishad: It was formed in 1964 with the explicit
purpose of forming an aggressive and an activist wing to promote
Hindutva. The first general secretary of the VHP, S.S. Apte, made its
goals clear as follows: “It is therefore necessary in this age of
competition and conflict to think of, and organize, the Hindu world to
save itself from the evil eyes of all three” [all three being
Christianity, Islam and Communism]. [61] Since its formation, the VHP
has played an aggressive and agitational role in India. It rose to
prominence for spearheading from the early 1980s onwards the Ram
Janmabhoomi movement that ultimately led to the violent take over and
destruction of a 16th century Babri mosque in Ayodhya, India. This
mobilization that lasted the better part of a decade was a watershed
event in terms of creating new levels of polarization between Hindu
and Muslim communities in India. More recently, its international
working president, Mr. Ashok Singhal, called the carnage against
Muslims in Gujarat a ‘successful experiment’ and warned that it would
be repeated all over India [62]. In other words, the VHP, is the core
political mobilization unit that is used to create and spread
conditions of religious intolerance and violence.


VHP— America : This is the US counterpart of the VHP in India, and is
active at two levels – as the VHP of America chapters in large parts
of the North East and the South with the primary function of support
work for the Sangh in India among the professional Indian diaspora and
as a student organization called the Hindu Student Council (HSC) with
significant presence on prestigious American university campuses. Its
work within the professional Indian diasporic community is essentially
both ideological and fund raising. Though it claims to be independent
of the VHP itself, this claim is at best a legal/technical claim. In
real terms it works actively and in close cooperation with VHP, India.
For instance, VHP America’s biggest event to date in the US was the
World Vision 2000, a conference organized in Washington D.C. The guest
list for that event included nearly every potential luminary in the
VHP India hierarchy – from Ashok Singhal to Uma Bharati and Vijaye
Raje Scindia. In addition, the VHPA promotes fund collection for a
range of Sewa Vibhag activity in India. [63]

The HSC in contrast works primarily with second generation Indian
Americans with a project of bringing them under the influence of
Hindutva. It does this through multiple levels of ideological work –
by organizing mass meetings and readings on campuses on a narrow range
of Hindu thought, that is ideologically a perfect fit for Hindutva,
(such as Gita readings) and for those who wish to get more involved as
a gateway to larger Hindutva operations in the US.


Bajrang Dal is the paramilitary wing of the VHP, and was started in
1984 to provide muscle and manpower to the VHP agitations. The Bajrang
Dal regularly organizes arms training camps for its members, where it
teaches them the use of firearms and trishuls (tridents). According to
one of the participants, the training is imparted in order to teach
them “how to beat those who do not respect Hinduism.”[64] Bajrang Dal
has been at the forefront of recent communal attacks against
Christians in the tribal regions, against artists and intellectuals
and against Muslims in Gujarat.


HinduUnity.org, a website run from the US claims to be the official
website of the Bajrang Dal. This site is a virulent hate-filled site
that has already once been yanked by a web-hosting service Addr.com
because of the spiteful vitriol that it publishes, and its frequent
calls to violence against Muslims. A typical passage from the Website
under the pop-up window called Hindu Force is given below as a sample:

“Revenge on Islam must become the sole aim of the life of every Hindu
today. Islam has been shedding Hindu blood for several centuries. This
is something we should neither forget nor forgive. This sinister
religion has been striking at Hinduism for just too long. It is time
we resist this satanic force and kick it back into the same pit it
crawled out of.”


Sewa Vibhag: The Service Wing of the Hindutva Movement is the RSS’s
most incoherent structure. However, in its very incoherence lies its
ingenuity. The service wing operates through hundreds of organizations
spread across the country – many different names and functions – all
presented as if they were entirely independent organizations. This
proliferation of Sewa Vibhag projects as independent organizations
gives an impression of seeming incoherence. However, it is also the
most inconspicuous way of placing swayamsevaks distributed across the
country and creating entry points for them to do their ideological
work. Often it is difficult to place an organization as an RSS Sewa
Vibhag operation. It takes systematic matching of organizational
trustees with other known RSS operations to establish the links.
However, while this is true for a large number of RSS Sewa Vibhag
operations, the role of the Sewa Vibhag as an entry point to do the
core ideological work of the Sangh creates some long term patterns and
institutions. For instance, education offers an effective cover for
ideological work and the remaking of identities. Thus many Sewa Vibhag
operations are crafted as educational activities. Following such
patterns it becomes possible to identify Vidya Bharati as an RSS
operation. Similarly, it becomes possible to identify a whole range of
organizations that work with tribals (adivasis) as RSS operations
because the adivasis are an important target constituency for the RSS.
As these multitude of projects are what is the object of funding from
the US, in a sense, these organizations of the Sewa Vibhag that do the
core work of spreading the ideology of the Sangh are an extremely
critical part of this report. Thus two more appendices – F and G –
attached to Part 3 of this report (Funding Hate?) are on the Sangh’s
work in tribal (adivasi) areas and on the Sangh’s educational work.


India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF): IDRF is the US based funding
arm of the Sangh and primarily funds the Sangh through its Sewa Vibhag
operations. It is directly connected to Sewa International, the part
of the Sewa Vibhag that coordinates international Sewa activity. Sewa
International itself operates as the equivalent to IDRF in the UK.

A.3 The Effects of Hindutva: Violent Pogroms and the Destruction of a
Multicultural Society

Violence is a core aspect of Hindutva. It has never been shy of
advocating violence for the achievement of its goals of a Hindu
Rashtra. It depicts ‘Hinduism’ as constantly under threat from
external/foreign forces (of Islam, Christianity and ‘Secularism’), and
hence, portrays violence against Muslims, Christians and advocates of
pluralism in India as a form of ‘self-defense.’ This, self defense is
further positioned as the process of regeneration of Hindu manhood.
This twin trope of self-defense and a lost manhood that is in need of
recovery are part of the daily rhetoric of Hindutva. This
psychological justification of violence is under girded by a more open
strategic and essential appreciation of it – some of which we have
already recorded in this appendix – whether it be Golwalkar’s open
appreciation for the efforts to “purge” the German nation of all Jews
by the Nazis, or Moonje’s hope that the RSS would create conditions of
a “military regeneration of Hindus”, and prepare “our boys in the game
of killing masses of people.” Here violence is clearly both essential
to purge the nation of all that it does not desire, and strategic in
Golwalkar’s goal to ensure that the minorities live in fear and seek
no privileges.

There is ample evidence that this essential and strategic
understanding of violence is central to the Hindutva project. Numerous


government reports have clearly indicted the Sangh for fomenting

communal violence:

“If the Jaganmohan Reddy Commission on the Ahmedabad riots (1969) and
the Madan Commission on the Bhiwandi riots (1970) exposed the Unified
Front tactics of the RSS and its political wing, the Jan Sangh,
ancestor of the BJP, Justice Vithayathil’s report on the Tellicherry
riots (1971) censured the RSS for ‘rousing up’ communal feelings and
for ’preparing the background for the disturbances’. Justice Jitendra
Narain’s Report on the Jamshedpur riots (1979) censured the RSS
supremo M.D Deoras personally for the communal propaganda that had
caused the riots. The RSS had held a conference there ‘only four days
before the Ram Navami festival (when the riots erupted) and the speech
delivered by Balasaheb Deoras contributed their full share in
fomenting these communal feelings’. The RSS had created ‘a climate for
these disturbances’. The report of Justice P Venugopal of the Madras
High Court, on the riots in Kanyakumari in March 1982, found the RSS
guilty of fomenting anti-Christian feelings: ‘It has taken upon itself
the task to teach the minority their place and if they are not willing
to learn their place, teach them a lesson. The RSS has given
respectability to communalism and communal riots and demoralise (sic)
administration.’ ” [65]

With a history of inciting and conducting violent campaigns going back
to the partition of India and Pakistan, for the RSS violence is part
of a strategy of breaking the back of an integrated multi-religious
society and creating polarized communities of Hindus, Muslims and
Christians. In a recent film on the RSS – “Men in the Tree” –
filmmaker Lalit Vachani records a series of critical interviews with
former RSS members – D. R. Goyal and Purshottam Agrawal. Both men
speak openly of how it was part of their work as RSS swayamsevaks to
create and spread rumors that would produce conditions conducive for a
communal riot. The gradual but continuos polarization of the religious
communities through violence is a fundamental fact of the Sangh
strategy.

As Hindutva has grown more and more powerful and gained State power
over the years, its strategic use of riots to polarize religious
communities has slowly began to transform into a process of
fundamentally destroying and displacing minority communities. In other
words, over the last decade religious violence in India is no longer
cases of Hindutva cadre fighting a Muslim or Christian right wing
forces cadre on the streets but has increasingly become organized
pogroms to eliminate and reduce minority communities to rubble. The
recent Gujarat riot is a case in point.

A.4.1 From Riots to Pogroms: Gujarat 2002

On February 27, 2002, a train carrying Hindu activists was set afire
in Godhra, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat, allegedly by
a Muslim mob, resulting in the death of 58 people.

The following excerpt from the Human Rights Watch report describes
what followed:

“Between February 28 and March 2, thousands of attackers descended on
Muslim neighbourhoods, clad in saffron scarves and khaki shorts, the
signature uniform of Hindu nationalist groups, and armed with swords,
sophisticated explosives, and gas cylinders. They were guided by voter
lists and printouts of addresses of Muslim-owned properties-
information obtained from the local municipality… The groups most


directly involved in the violence against Muslims include the Vishwa
Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council, VHP), the Bajrang Dal, the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that

heads the Gujarat state government” [66]

Over 2000 people were killed, and more than 100,000 were rendered
homeless—around 90% of the victims were Muslims. In addition, reports
from women’s groups state that hundreds of Muslim women were gang-
raped by the Hindutva mobs and then burnt. [67]

The State government, headed by the BJP—the parliamentary arm of the
Sangh Parivar, was strikingly ineffective in controlling the rioters,
and has also been accused of complicity in the violence by several
Human Rights groups [68]. Instances of direct support of the Hindu
rioters by the police and the administration have also been
documented. What gives much credence to the accusation that the
Gujarat State government actively participated in the riots, is a well
documented story in a leading news magazine – Outlook India – where a
minister of the State cabinet informed the press of a meeting on the
evening of February 28th at the residence of the chief minister
Narendra Modi where State administration officials were instructed not
to stop the Hindu backlash that was coming. [69]

Many independent fact-finding missions have verified the central role
played by the different Sangh Parivar organizations in orchestrating
the violence:

“In testimony after testimony, people identified by name members of
the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad involved in inciting and
committing violence. The fact-finding team spoke with women activists
and victims in the camps about their views on the growing polarization
between the Hindu and Muslim communities. Both sets of people linked
it to the aggressive agenda of the Sangh Parivar - particularly the
Bajrang Dal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and, in some cases, the Shiv
Sena. In the rural context, women directly linked a rise in tension
with the establishment of local units of the Bajrang Dal and the VHP.
They spoke of meetings organized by these groups, and the arms they
distributed at these meetings. Many believe that the tension has
really escalated in the last six months.” [70]

Everything about Gujarat points in the direction of a pogrom. There is
evidence that the distribution of arms was an on going activity. The
material used in the violence, apart from the swords and trishuls was
some variety of a chemical solvent which could not have been procured
spontaneously. Voter lists and the specific targeting of Muslim
businesses and homes is another clear indication of the organized
nature of the violence. Even at the time of writing this report, eight
months after the pogrom began, many Muslims remain homeless and are
unable to return to their homes because of the fear that they will be
killed.

A.4.2 The Confidence to Kill Without Cover

If Gujarat is a stark testimony that the Sangh’s violence has reached
the fascist proportions that Moonje and Golwalkar had in mind, then
the complete confidence of the Sangh that it can carry out violent
campaigns without any fear is also indicated by its targeted violence
against individuals. The best case to illustrate this would be the
continuos targeting of Christian nuns, priests and Evangelists by the
Sangh activists. Human Rights Watch, New York published a report on
anti-Christian violence in India in September 1999 [71] and also
indicted the Sangh Parivar for their role in fomenting ethnic hatred
against Christians:

Attacks against Christians throughout the country have increased
significantly since the BJP began its rule at the center in March
1998. They include the killings of priests, the raping of nuns, and
the physical destruction of Christian institutions, schools, churches,
colleges, and cemeteries. Thousands of Christians have also been
forced to convert to Hinduism.

Frontline, a mainstream newsmagazine, recorded over 50 incidents of
violence, targeted against a specific individual or institution, in an
organized effort to push Christian missionaries out of India [72].
These specified and directed attacks against individuals and
institutions are equally important to note as organized mass violence
because they are indicative of the fact that the movement has reached
a point where it feels the confidence to undertake such violent
campaigns without even the cover of a presumed communal riot.

A.4.3 Hindutva’s First Indian Act: The Murder of Gandhi

Probably there is no more a poignant way to underscore the issue of
Hindutva’s definition as a violent movement than the murder of Mahatma
Gandhi by a prominent Hindutva activist Nathuram Godse. On January 30
1948 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was shot dead by Nathuram Godse.
Inspite of the fact that the RSS disassociated itself from Godse, the
then government of India banned the organization.
That the RSS’s denial of any involvement with Gandhi’s murder is
false, is clear from many associated facts.

Godse’s successful attempt to kill Gandhi was not the first but the
sixth attempt on Gandhi’s life by the Hindutva movement [73]. The
thesis that Godse was an exception and a misguided young man
marginally associated with Hindutva, fades in light of this history of
attempts from within the movement.


Further, the reaction to the murder of Gandhi within the RSS, was one
of open elation – where RSS swayamsevaks were on streets celebrating.
Clearly the sentiment was an openly available one within the Sangh.
Sardar Patel, the first Home Minister of India, confirmed this in a
letter to the RSS supreme, M.S. Golwalkar in a letter dated September
11, 1948, he wrote [74],

“As a final result of the poison, the country had to suffer the
sacrifice of the invaluable life of Gandhiji. Even an iota of the
sympathy of the Government or of the people no more remained for the
RSS. In fact, opposition grew. Opposition turned more severe when the
RSS men expressed joy and distributed sweets after Gandhiji's death.”


Years later, Gopal Godse, one of the co-accused in the Gandhi murder
case and Nathuram Godse’s brother, confirmed that both he and his
brother were actively involved with the RSS at the time of the
assassination. In an interview in 1994, he stated [75]:

“All the brothers were in the RSS. Nathuram, Dattatreya, myself and
Govind. You can say we grew up in the RSS rather than in our home. It
was like a family to us. Nathuram had become a baudhik karyavah
[intellectual worker] in the RSS. He has said in his statement that he
had left the RSS. He said it because Golwalkar [the RSS Supremo] and
the RSS were in a lot of trouble after the murder of Gandhi. But he
did not leave the RSS.”
A movement, that began its work in a newly independent India, with the
murder of an apostle of peace and respect for all communities, has
today surfaced in its open and naked form – as a fundamentally fascist
movement.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

53. We or Our Nationhood Defined, Golwalkar, 1939, pp. 47-48

54. James G. Lochtefeld (1996) New Wine, Old Skins: The Sangh Parivar
and the Transformation of Hinduism, Religion 26, 101-118

55. We or Our Nationhood Defined, MS Golwalkar, 1939

56. M Casolari, (1993) Hindutva’s foreign tie-up in the 1930s:


Archival Evidence, Economic and Political Weekly, Jan 22, 2000

57. M Casolari, (1993) Hindutva’s foreign tie-up in the 1930s:


Archival Evidence, Economic and Political Weekly, Jan 22, 2000

58. M Casolari, (1993) Hindutva’s foreign tie-up in the 1930s:


Archival Evidence, Economic and Political Weekly, Jan 22, 2000

59. http://www.idrf.org/flyers/balvihar/html/hss.html

60. http://www.rss.org/rssstor.htm under the subtitle ‘Towards
Maintaining Cultural Identity’

61. The Organiser, Diwali Special, 1964.

62. ‘We’ll repeat our Gujarat experiment’ Indian Express, Sept 4th,
2002

63. James G. Lochtefeld (1996) New Wine, Old Skins: The Sangh Parivar
and the Transformation of Hinduism, Religion 26, 101-118

64. Bajrang Dal activists take up arms, The Times of India, June 13th,
2001

65. A Half Century’s Gory Record, AG Noorani, The Statesman, January
15, 2000

66. India: Gujarat Officials Took Part in Anti-Muslim Violence: Press


Release by HRW, April 30, 2002

67. How Has The Gujarat Massacre Affected Minority Women? The
Survivors Speak : A fact finding report by a Women’s Panel, Citizen’s
Initiative, Ahmedabad, April 16th, 2002

68. See for example, the National Human Rights Commission’s Report,
Final order on Gujarat dated May 31, 2002,

69. A Plot From The Devil's Lair, Manu Joseph, S. Anand, Outlook June
3, 2002

70. How Has The Gujarat Massacre Affected Minority Women? The
Survivors Speak : A fact finding report by a Women’s Panel, Citizen’s
Initiative, Ahmedabad, April 16th, 2002

71. Anti-Christian violence on the rise in India: New Report details


politics behind extremist Hindu attacks Press Release by the HRW Full
Report at POLITICS BY OTHER MEANS: Attacks Against Christians in India
HRW Report, September 1999

72. A catalogue of crimes, Pravin Swami, Frontline, Vol. 16 (3) Jan.
30 - Feb. 12, 1999

73. Tushar Gandhi, http://www.mahatma.org.in/murderattempts/attempts.jsp?link=ld&id=1&cat=murderattempts

74. A Law Unto Itself, AG Noorani, Frontline, Volume 15 (17), Aug
15-22, 1998 http://www.flonnet.com/fl1517/15171170.htm

75. Frontline, January 28, 1994 quoted in The RSS and the BJP: A
Division of Labour, AG Noorani, Leftword Books, 2000 p. 30
http://www.sabrang.com/gujarat/rssbible.htm

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Appendix B

The Blessed Nine! And the Sisters

B.1 The Nine Originals

As mentioned in the body of this report, the IDRF submitted an
application for a tax exemption certificate to the Internal Revenue
Service of the United States. The Form 1023 filed by the IDRF in 1989
identifies the following nine representative organizations that the
IDRF sought to support in India:

Vikas Bharati (Bihar)
Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (Tamil Nadu)
Sewa Bharati (Delhi)
Jana Seva Vidya Kendra (Karnataka)

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Madhya Pradesh)


Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Gujarat)
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (Nagar Haveli)
Girivasi Vanvasi Sewa Prakalp (Uttar Pradesh)
G. Deshpande Vanvasi Vastigrah (Maharashtra)

As detailed below, all of these organizations belong to the Sangh
Parivar.

Vikas Bharati (Bihar). Sewa International identifies this as a Sangh
organization that was created for the purpose of 'educating' tribals.
On its web site, Sewa International claims that ‘The Vikas Bharati
stream, which originated in the fountainhead called Sangh (italics
added), has been quietly flowing towards the ocean called society,
gathering many additional streams on the way.’[76]


Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (Tamil Nadu): The Sewa
International identifies this as a sister organization of the VHP
[77]. While the purported aim of this group also appears to be
education of tribals, special emphasis appears to be placed upon
teaching the tribals Hindu customs, particularly its religious
festivals. [78]


Sewa Bharati (Delhi): Sewa Bharati is a well-known Sangh organization
and is dealt with extensively in Appendix D.


Jana Seva Vidya Kendra (Karnataka): This is identified as an RSS-
affiliated organization in the Sangh’s own literature [79]. JSVK is
purportedly an education society, but it also has the dubious honor of
hosting the All India Meeting of RSS officials earlier this year,
where the infamous RSS resolution of ‘Godhra and After’ was passed. In
this resolution, the RSS puts the entire blame of the anti-Muslim
violence in Gujarat on the victimized Muslim community and issued the
following warning: ‘Let the Muslims understand that their real safety
lies in the goodwill of the majority.’ [80]


The other five: The remaining five organizations belong to the Vanvasi
Kalyan Ashram (the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram in MP, Gujarat, and Nagar
Haveli; the Girivasi Vanvasi Sewa Prakalp in Uttar Pradesh and the G.
Deshpande Vanvasi Vastigrah in Maharashtra). Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram is
one of the major Sangh affiliated organizations active in the tribal
regions in India [81]. While VKA and its affiliates claim to work for
the ‘welfare’ of the tribal population, they are in fact mainly
working to ‘Hinduise’ the tribals and demonize the work of Christian
missionaries in tribal area
B.2 The Eight “Sisters”

A far more extensive set of linkages between the Sangh and the IDRF

emerge when we examine the organizations that the IDRF identifies as
its “sister organizations.” the IDRF lists nine subheadings under

‘Sister Organizations’, the ninth of which, called ‘IDRF’s affiliates
in India’, is a collection of 67 other organizations. Combined with
the first eight, the total number of the IDRF sisters/affiliates adds
up to 75. Of these, 60 are clearly identifiable as RSS affiliates in


India. The remaining fifteen organizations are not classified in this
report as RSS affiliates, not because we have evidence that show that

they are not, but because there is very little information available
on them. It is thus possible that some, if not all fifteen, are part
of the RSS as well.

In this section, the eight “sister organizations” are examined below.
In the next section, a list of all 67 organizations mentioned under
“IDRF’s affiliates in India” is provided along with the criteria used
to judge whether they belong to the Sangh Parivar or not.

One Teacher Schools (Ekal Vidyalays): This is a scheme started by the
VHP to indoctrinate students in remote villages (tribal villages)[82].
Different Sangh organizations have raised money for this scheme and
help in the administration of the schools. Some of them are the Bharat
Kalyan Pratishthan, Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society,
Friends of Tribal Society, and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram—all of which
have been funded by the IDRF. Recently, the Ekal Vidyalay Foundation
has been set up as an independent organization, but still remains
under the control of Dr. B.K. Modi, the current president of the VHP-
Overseas. [83]

While the stated purpose of the schools is eradication of illiteracy
in remote areas, the One Teacher Schools are heavily involved in
spreading Hindutva ‘education’ with a focus on stopping conversions to
Christianity and encouraging ‘reconversions’ to Hinduism. The VHP
advances the doctrine that Indian society is in grave danger from
Christianity, and hence it is necessary to counter the moves of
missionaries to ‘save’ the nation[84]. A senior VHP functionary
claims, “Ekal vidyalayas can best counter the designs of the Church
because they impart education based on Hindu samskara [culture].”[85]
VHP’s secretary-in-charge of Gujarat and Rajasthan, Mahendra Bhat,
also asserts that Ekal Vidyalays impart the ‘Hindu way of life’ till
the third class [grade] and that the focus on tribal areas is
‘necessary if we have to save the tribals from being misguided and
influenced by foreign missionaries.’ [86]


Vikasan Foundation: This organization, started by the Hindu Seva
Pratishthan and Jana Seva Vidya Kendra (both affiliated with the Sangh
[87]), claims to stand for the promotion of Indian culture in India


and abroad. However, like all Sangh organizations, it conflates

‘Indian’ culture with its version of ‘Hindu/Vedic’ culture, completely
negating the concept of a syncretic Indian identity that has been
influenced by many religions. Vikasan collects money for funding some


gurukuls (Hindu religious schools, equivalent of the Islamic

madrassas) in India and also organizes the Teen Hindu Heritage Camps
in India for teenagers of Indian descent who have largely grown up
outside the country. As the detailed program of this camp suggests
[88], there is a heavy influence of the RSS organizations on the
curriculum at this camp.


Yoga Bharati and Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation (the
latter currently goes by the name of sVYASA--Swami Vivekananda Yoga
Anusandhan Samstha ): These organizations have allegedly been created
to provide training in yoga. Yoga Bharati is a subsidiary of the IDRF
while sVYASA is an independent organization headquartered in
Bangalore. Nevertheless, these organizations work together, share
instructors, advisors, and teaching material. Besides, Yoga Bharati
(and the IDRF by extension) collects funds for sVYASA’s research
efforts. However, as with all Sangh Parivar organizations, the yoga
education is suffused with the Hindutva philosophy. Thus, Yoga Bharati
invites David Frawley, a well-known Hindutva ideologue, to speak at
its Bay Area event, while its Yoga Training Camp has drawn speakers
from allied Sangh foundations such as Samskrit Bharati and the Hindu
Swayamsevak Sangh[89].

sVYASA, an offshoot of the Vivekananda Kendra and Rock Memorial,
Kanyakumari (also of the Sangh Parivar[90]), helps organize RSS
training camps in India and abroad for international audiences—camps
which actively propagate Hindutva, the supremacy of Hinduism and the
revisionist history of India. [91]

Samskrit Bharati: This organization works for the promotion of the
Sanskrit language and is identified as a ‘Branch’ by the RSS[92].
According to the RSS website, “The Sangh has formed the Samskrita
Bharati, which through several thousand speak Sanskrit camps have
taught people to speak the ‘language of the gods’ sufficient for their
daily use in just ten days.”[93]. In the US, this organization runs
Sanskrit training programs and camps, where it not only imparts
language training, but also a heavy dose of the Sangh ideology. It
also participates in camps and functions organized by other Sangh
Parivar groups in this country[94].


Sewa International: This organization, a member of the Sangh Parivar,
is examined in some detail in Appendix C.


Bharat Vikas Parishad: This is also listed by the RSS as one of its
branches that is designed ‘to involve entrepreneurs and well off


sections of the society in National service and for protecting

Bhartiya values.’[95] While their stated task, that of removing
discrimination from society, is noble indeed, their methodology of
bringing about this change by imposing hierarchical upper caste Hindu
values speaks volumes about the reality. According to Vishwa Samvad
Kendra, the public relations site of the Sangh Parivar, ‘They [Bharat
Vikas Parishad] have adopted 60 seva vastis (Slums) for all round
development. They organize competitions on Ramayana and Mahabharata on
All Bharat basis for school children. They organize competitions for
students in chorus singing of patriotic. More than one lakh students
participate annually in this competition.’[96]

The President of Bharat Vikas Parishad is Justice Rama Jois, who is
actively involved in the VHP movement for rebuilding a Hindu temple at
the site of the 16th century Babri Mosque in Ayodhya that the VHP had
demolished in 1992. As reported in an Indian daily, “Though his formal
position in the Sangh Parivar is as the president of the Bharat Vikas
Parishad, an RSS frontal organisation, Mr. Jois is known more for his
legal assistance in the ‘Ayodhya movement [to build the temple].’ He
has even attended a meeting at the Prime Minister's house last March
when Atal Behari Vajpayee held extensive consultations in an attempt
to deal with the VHP-imposed deadline of ‘March 12’ [97]” [this
‘deadline’ refers to the date set by the VHP for the government to
allow it to start the temple construction or to face a nationwide
stir].


Martyrs for National Integration Fund: This is an in-house IDRF fund-
raising effort to generate money for “families of security personnel,
and of civilians” in order “to assist those who have suffered from the
terrorist war being waged on our nation”[98] [the “terrorist war” here
refers to the conflict in Kashmir, particularly along the Indian-
Pakistani border].
B.3 The 67 Affiliates

On its web site, the IDRF provides links to its Indian affiliates,
broken down by the state where they are located. This report uses the
following criteria to determine if these affiliates can be identified
as part of the Sangh Parivar:

Listed by the RSS under ‘Various Branches’
http://www.rss.org/Variousbranches.html
Listed by Sewa International as its projects in different states
http://www.sewainternational.org/states.html
Any obvious affiliations with the One Teacher School scheme, the
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram or other clearly identified Sangh projects.
Sharing an address with any Sangh organization.
Listed in Seva Disha – RSS report on the Sangh’s sevakarya
http://www.hssworld.org/homepage/html/seva/sevadisha/sevadisha1/names_and_addresses.html
Listed in The Amrut Kumbh of Service Streams, Ekta Prakashan
(as quoted in The Week, Feb 20, 2000 http://www.the-week.com/20feb20/events6.htm)

The criterion used to identify each organization listed below as
belonging to or affiliated with the Sangh Parivar is specified (in
parentheses). The organizations that could not be identified as part
of the Sangh are italicized. Of the total 67 organizations, 52 can
clearly be associated with the Sangh.


IDRF Supported Projects in Kashmir
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/kashmir.html

1. Ved Mandir Saraswathi Vidya Vihar, Jammu
Sri Kumar J&K Siksha Bharati
Jain Bazar
Jammu - 180 001
Jammu & Kashmir
(Seva Disha: Regional HQ of Vidya Bharati)

2. Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission, Jammu
Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission
Ved Mandir, Amphalla Road
Jammu - 180 001
Jammu & Kashmir
Contact: Ved Prakash Gupta
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/jk-6.html )

3. Bharati Vidya Mandir, Kishtwar
Bharati Vidya Mandir
Kishtwar - 182 204
Jammu & Kashmir
Contact: Ram Sewak

4. Jammu Kashmir Sahayata Samiti, Jammu
Jammu Kashmir Sahayata Samiti
Post Box No. 108, Pacca Darga
Jammu - 180 001
Contact: Vaid Vaishnav Dutt
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/jk-8.html )

IDRF Supported Projects in Panjab
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/panjab.html

5. Peedit Prakalpa Sewa Samiti, Amritsar
Bazar Bikaneria, Katra Ahluvalia
Amritsar, Punjab - 143 006
Contact: Veer Sen, Secretary
(Same address as the Punjab ABVP http://www.abvp.org/contact.htm )

IDRF Supported Projects in Arunachal Pradesh
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/haryana.html

6. Arunachal Vikas Parishad, Itanagar
P.O. Box No. 128, Bank Tinale
Itanagar - 791 111
Contact: Sri. Dwarikacharya

IDRF Supported Projects in Uttar Pradesh
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/up.html

7. Uttaranchal Daivi Apda Peedit Sahayata Samiti, Dehradun
Keshav Bhavan, 111 Moti Bazar
Dehradun - 248 001
Uttar Pradesh
Contact: Nityanand
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/upm-daps.html )

8. Manikpur Kalyan Kendra, Manikpur
Manikpur, Bandra
Uttar Pradesh

9. Shanti Sewa Ashram, Meerut
Jain Dharmarth Trust
20-B Jain Nagar
Meerut - 250 001
Uttar Pradesh
Contact: Pawan Kumar Jain

10. Girivasi Vanavasi Seva Prakalpa, Ghonawal
Ekalavya Nagar, Ghonawal - 231 210
Janpad (district), Uttar Pradesh
Correspondence Address:
A.D. Prints, New Market
Aasbharo, Varanasi, UP - 221 001
Contact: Krishna Kishore Mehra, President
(VHP org: http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/aSewa/NSNS/serviceorientedorganisation.htm
)

11. Saraswathi Shiksha Mandir, Village Nagauri
Village Nagauri, Post Flavda, Dist Meerut
Uttar Pradesh
Contact: Dr. Arun Datt Sharma, Sec/Administrator

12. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Janmabhoomi Smarak Samiti, Deendayal
Dham
Deendayal Dham
(Naglachandra Bhan)
Dist. Mathura - 281 122
(Amrut Kumbh of Service Streams)

13. Sewa Prakalp Sansthan, Rudrapur
Harimandir Marg,
P.O. Rudrapur
U.P. - 263 153
Contact: Lokman Singh
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/upm-sps.html )

14. Sewa Samarpan Sansthan, Kanpur
Veesa Munda Vanvasi Chhatravas
Ravatpur Gaon, Kanpur - 208 019
Contact: Suryaprakash Bhan
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/upa-seva.html )


IDRF Supported Projects in Himachal Pradesh
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/himachal.html

15. Himgiri Kalyan Ashram, Solan
Himgiri Kalyan Ashram
Balmukund Hospital
P.O. Solan
Himachal Pradesh - 173 212
Contact: Dr. Rajiv Bindal
(Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram address from Seva Disha)

16. Saraswathi Vidya Mandir, Shimla
Saraswathi Vidya Mandir
C5/19, Vikas Nagar
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Contact: Subash Sood
( Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/hp-4.html )

IDRF Supported Projects in Bihar
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/bihar.html

17. Friends of Tribal Society, Calcutta
Friends of Tribal Society
52 Zakaria Street, Calcutta -700073
(Serving Bihar)
Contact: Bimal Lath, Gen. Secretary
(From Seva Disha http://www.hssworld.org/seva/sevadisha/sevadisha1/vanavasi_kalyan_ashram.html
)

18. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Lahardaga
Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram
Ekalavya Nagar, Lahardaga
Bihar - 835 302
Contact: Mahrang Uranv
(Listed with the RSS)

19. Vikas Bharathi, Bishnupur
Vikas Bharathi
Bishnupur, Dist. Gumla
Bihar - 835 331
Contact: Ashok Bhagath
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/integrate.html)

20. Birsa Seva Prakalpa, Hazaribagh
Birsa Seva Prakalpa
Mangal Bazar, Malviya Marg
Hazaribagh, Bihar
Contact: Hari Charan Sahu, Secretary
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/bih-bsp.html)

IDRF Supported Projects in Rajasthan
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/rajas.html

21. Bharathi (Sanskrit Only), Jaipur
Bharathi Bhawan
B-15 Vijay Khanna Nagar
Nai Basti
Jaipur - 302 001
(From Seva Disha: Head quarters of the RSS Seva Vibhag in Rajasthan)

22. Rajasthan Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, Udaipur
1, Kamal Gali, Mamashah Marg
Udaipur - 1
Contact: Rameshwar Kumavat
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/chi-rvkp.html )

IDRF Supported Projects in Delhi
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/delhi.html

23. Sewa Bharathi
10196/A Jhandewala Temple Complex
New Delhi - 110 055
Contact: Vishnu Kumar, Organising Sec.
(From RSS: http://www.rss.org/SEWA%20BHART.htm )

24. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram
M-31, Malkaganj, Delhi - 110 007
Contact: Janardan Singh
(Obvious)

IDRF Supported Projects in Bengal
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/bengal.html

25. Manav Seva Prathisthan, Calcutta
Manav Seva Prathisthan,
14, Princep Street,
Calcutta - 700 072
Contact: L.N. Todi, Managing Trustee

26. Poorvanchal Kalyan Ashram, Calcutta
Poorvanchal Kalyan Ashram,
161/1 Mahatma Gandhi Marg,
Calcutta - 700 007
Contact: Gajanan Vapat
(From Seva Disha : Regional HQ of VKA)

27. Vanabandhu Parishad, Calcutta
Vanabandhu Parishad
(Friends of Tribal Society)
52, Zakaria Street, Calcutta 700073
(From Seva Disha: http://www.hssworld.org/seva/sevadisha/sevadisha1/vanavasi_kalyan_ashram.html
)

28. Vastuhara Sahayata Samiti
Keshaw Bhawan
9A Abhedananda Street
Calcutta - 700 006, Bengal, India
(From Seva Disha: Regional Headquarters of RSS Seva Vibhag)

IDRF Supported Projects in Meghalaya
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/purvanch.html

29. Kalyan Ashram, Shillong
Village Laitkor,
Shillong - 793 010
Contact: Dr.Vishwamitra
(Sewa Intl: http://www.sewainternational.org/me-ka.html )

IDRF Supported Projects in Assam
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/purvanch.html

30. Sishu Shiksha Samiti Assam, Guwahati
Sishu Shiksha Samiti Assam
Keshav Dham
K.B. Road, Paltan Bazar
Guwahati - 781 008
Assam
(Seva Disha: Regional HQs of RSS Seva Vibhag)

31. Kalyan Ashram, Guwahati
Kalyan Ashram
Usan Bazar, B.C. Road
Gauhati - 1
Contact: Ramgopal Gupta
(Seva Disha: Regional HQs of VKA)

IDRF Supported Projects in Manipur
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/purvanch.html

32. Kalyan Ashram Manipur
Kakching Manipur
NR. Model High School
Sumak Leikai Kkching
Manipur - 795 103
Contact: Tomal Singh
(Obviously related to VKAs?)

IDRF Supported Projects in Miscellaneous Regions
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/purvanch.html

33. Janajati Vikas Samiti
Room No. 101, Majestic Apartments
Circular Road
Dimapur - 797 112
Contact: Ramesh Babu

IDRF Supported Projects in Gujarat
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/gujarat.html

34. Shri Apang Parivar Kalyan Kendra, Bhavnagar
Swastik Society, Ambawadi, Bhavnagar
Gujarath - 364 001
Contact: Banessih Chauhan, President

35. Muni Seva Ashram, Goraj
Post Goraj, Dist. Vadodara
Gujarath - 391 765
Contact: Anuben G. Thakkar, President

36. Kutch Kalyan Sangh, Bhuj, Kutch
(Behind Santhosh Maa Mandir)
Bhuj, Kutch - 370 001
Gujarath

37. Sri Gujarat Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad, Ahmedabad
Sri Gujarat Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad
Shrilekha Bhawan
Paldi, Ahmedabad - 1
Contact: Nagarbahi Goswami
(Regional office of ABVP: http://www.abvp.org/address.html )

IDRF Supported Projects in Madhya Pradesh
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/mp.html

38. Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Jashpur Nagar
Jashpur Nagar, Dist. Raigarh
Madhya Pradesh - 496 331
(Serving whole INDIA)
Contact: R.K. Deshpande
Kripa Prasdji
(Obvious: listed with the RSS)

39. Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Ranchi
Old Commissioner Comp.
Ranchi - 834 001
Contact: Pranay Dutt
(Obvious)

40. Bharatiya Kushta Nivaran Sangh, Sonapara
Shri Pardeep Kumar Sao Bhavan
Sonapara, P.O. Champa
District Bilaspur - 495 671
Contact: Pardeep Kumar Sao
(Sewa intl: http://www.sewainternational.org/mpc-bkn.html )

41. Vanvasi Vikas Parishad, Bhopal
Maharana Pratap Nagar
Gayathri Mandir
Bhopal - 462 011
Contact: Balram Malviya
( Sewa Intl: http://www.sewainternational.org/mpmb-vkp.html )

42. Vanvasi Vikas Parishad, Jabalpur
955/5 Right Town, Madan Das Road
Jabalpur - 482 002
Contact: Maniram Pal
(Sewa Intl: http://www.sewainternational.org/mpj-van.html )

43. Vanvasi Vikas Samiti, Raipur
Opp. Panchvati Rohinipuram
Raipur - 492 010
Contact: Nishikant Joshi
(Sewa Intl: http://www.sewainternational.org/mpc-vs.html )

IDRF Supported Projects in Orissa
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/orissa.html

44. Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Bhubaneswar
Post Box No. 2
Bhubaneswar
Orissa
Contact: Ghanshyam Pradhan
(obvious)

45. Sookruti (One Teacher School), Bhubaneswar
218, Kharvel Nagar, Unit - 3,
Bhubaneshwar – 751001
(Linked to One Teacher School, according to IDRF)

IDRF Supported Projects in Maharashtra
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/mahar.html

46. Devi Ahilyabai Smarak Samithi, Nagpur
Devi Ahilya Mandir, Dhantoli
Nagpur, Maharashtra - 440 012
Contact: Leela Deshpande, Secry
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/vid-das.html )

47. Gopal Navjeevan Kendra, Pune
C/O Padmakar Vasudev Chandekar
166 Kasba Peth, Poona
Maharashtra - 411 011
Contact: P.V. Chandekar, Secry
(Sewa Intl: http://www.sewainternational.org/m-4.html )

48. Vatsalya Trust, Bhandup
C/32, II-Floor
Shree Vijaya Kunj Coop Housing Society
Kanjur Village, Bhandup
Mumbai - 400 042
Contact: G.A. Damle, Secretary

49. Dr. Hedgewar Raktapedi, Nagpur
2, Sitaram Smrithi
Paschim Uch Niyayalya Marg
Dharampeth
Nagpur - 440 010
Maharashtra
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/vid-hr.html )

50. Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
18, Housing Society
Near Swami Narayan Mandir
Silvassa - 396 230
Dadra & Nagar Haveli
(Obvious)

51. Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission, Nagpur
2, Central Bazar Road
Ramdas Peth
Nagpur - 440 010
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/vid-svm.html )

52. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Nagpur
8, Hindu Dharm Sanskriti Mandir
Dhantoli, Nagpur - 440 012
Contact: Ramesh Padhye
(Obvious)

53. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Nasik
15, College Road
Krishi Nagar, Nasik - 422 005
Contact: Suresh Kulkarni
(Obvious)

54. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Andamans
Post Box 244, Port Blair
Andamans - 744 101
Contact: Radha Krishnan
(Obvious)

55. Vivekanand Medical Foundation, Latur
Janakalyan Samiti
Latur
Contact: Dr. Ashok Kukade
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/m-jan.html )

56. Janakalyan Samiti, Pune
Moti Bag, Shanivar Pet
Pune
(Seva Disha: Regional HQ of the RSS Seva Vibhag)

57. Krantiveer Chapekar Smarak Samiti, Pune
Kra. Chapekar Sadan, Chinchwad Gao
Pune 411033

58. Late Mohan Thuse Eye Hospital, Narayangaon
Narayangaon 410504
Tal. Junner, Dist. Pune, India
Contact: Dr. M.K.Dole

IDRF Supported Projects in Andhra Pradesh
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/ap.html

59. Vatsalya Sindhu, Hyderabad
Vatsalya Sindhu (Orphanage Centre for Boys)
24-143/1, Anandbagh
Malkajgiri
Hyderabad - 500 047
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/andhra.html )

60. Vaidehi, Hyderabad
Vaidehi (Orphanage Centre for Girls)
Shri Saraswati Shishu Mandir
Madhav Nagar
Saidabad, Hyderabad - 500 659
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/an-28.html )

61. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Hyderabad
Keshav Nilayam,
Barkatpura, Hyderabad - 500 027
At&Po Mattam
Hukumpet Mandal
Dist. Vishakha Patnam
Andhra Pradesh - 531 077
Contact: K. Parsuram
(Obvious)

IDRF Supported Projects in Karnataka
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/karnatak.html

62. Seva-in-Action, Bangalore
2487, 25th Cross, 17th Main
Banashankari II Stage
Bangalore - 560 070
Karnataka
Contact: Indumathi Rao, Proj. Director
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/ka-sa.html )

63. Vanvasi Kalyan, Sirsi
Sanghe Dham, Banvasi Road
P.O. Sirsi
District Uttar Kannada
Karnataka - 581 401
Contact: Prakash Kamath
(Obvious)

64. Swami Vivekanand Seva Pratisthan, Belgum
2032, Kore Galli,
Shahaput, Belgum-3
Karnatak, India
Contact: Prakash Kamath

IDRF Supported Projects in Kerala
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/kerala.html

65. Kerala Vanvasi Vikas Kendram, Calicut
Payyadimathal, P.O. Pantheerankavu
Calicut - 673 019
Contact: Naresh Kumar

IDRF Supported Projects in Tamil Nadu
http://www.idrf.org/seva_proj/tamil.html

66. Swami Vivekananda Rural Dev. Society, Madras
43 Ramanujam Street, T. Nagar
Madras - 600017
Tamil Nadu
Contact: S. Vedanthan, Exe. Secretary
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/vhptamil.html )

67. Vanvasi Sewa Kendram, Karumathurai
P.O. Karumathurai, Taluka - Attur
Dist. Salem, Tamilnadu - 636 138
(Sewa International: http://www.sewainternational.org/sevaktamil.html
)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

76. http://www.sewainternational.org/integrate.html

77. http://www.sewainternational.org/vhptamil.html

78. In a report to the IDRF, SVRDS states that it conducted


competitions for Krishna Jayanthi (a Hindu Festival) in which the

school children participated enthusiastically. http://www.idrf.org/reports/svrds/svrds.html


It should be kept in mind that these tribals do not consider
themselves Hindu, nor do they usually observe Krishna Jayanthi.

79. It is listed as a Sangh organization in Amrut-Kumbha of Service
Streams, Ekta Prakashan, Pune according to an article, Winds of
Change, by Anosh Malekar, The Week, Feb 20, 2000

80. http://www.vskgujarat.com/rss_resolution_godhra.htm

81. http://www.hssworld.org/seva/sevadisha/sevadisha1/vanavasi_kalyan_ashram.html

82. http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/bekal%20vidyalya/list_ekalvidyalaya.htm

83. The funding by the IDRF of the various organizations can be learnt
from its various Annual Reports at its website. EVFI’s website,
http://www.ekal.org/foundation.shtml lists the trustees of Ekal
Vidyalay Foundation, including BK Modi.

84. Religious Regeneration: The Only Solution to Various National
Problems, by Mohan Joshi, Joint Secretary of the VHP
http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/cDharamPrasaar/religiousregeneration.htm

85. VHP stepping up its drive to Hinduise tribal belts of Bihar,
Ashish Sinha, Hindustan Times, July 29, 2000

86. VHP plans to outdo missionaries on their turf, Tanvir Siddiqui,
Indian Express, February 1, 1999

87. The VHP lists Hindu Seva Pratishthana as its organization in the
field of education. http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/aSewa/NSNS/intheserviceofpoor.htm
. For Jana Seva Vidya Kendra, see under part (a) above.

88. http://www.vikasan.org/camp/2002/program_KVA2.htm

89. A quick search through various Yoga Bharati fliers announcing
training camps and events reveals its connections with sVYASA.
http://www.yogabharati.org/fliers/july_2002/raghu2.pdf (Yoga Bharati
raising money for sVYASA) http://www.yogabharati.org/2002/may_2002.html
--David Frawley’s lecture, http://www.yogabharati.org/reports/CampJonesReport.html
--report of a camp organized by Yoga Bharati

90. Listed as such in Amrut Kumbha of Service Streams, Ekta Prakashan,
Pune, quoted in the article, Wings of Change, Anosh Malekar, The Week,
Feb 20, 2000

91. See report filed on the HSS site of an HSS training camp held in
Los Angeles in July 2002, Hindu Youth Training Camp Commended
http://www.hssworld.org/users/usevak/file4.htm. Another report of an
RSS training camp for NRIs—NRIs flock to RSS camps to become Global
Hindus, Johnson T A, August 11, 2002 http://www.hvk.org/articles/0801/66.html

92. http://www.rss.org/Variousbranches.html

93. http://www.rss.org/rssstor.htm

94. For example, see http://www.hindunet.org/srh_home/1996_2/msg00047.html
for an example of Sanskrit Bharati participating in an HSS function,
http://www.yogabharati.org/reports/CampJonesReport.html for a report
of its participation in a camp organized by Yoga Bharati

95. http://www.rss.org/BHARAT%20VIKAS%20PARISHAD.htm

96. http://www.vskgujarat.com/like_minded_organization/bharat_vikas_parishad.htm

97. VHP lawyer appointed Jharkhand Governor, The Hindu, July 7th, 2002
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/07/07/stories/2002070704210100.htm

98. http://www.idrf.org/otherorg/mnif/mnif.htm

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http://stopfundinghate.org/sacw/appendixd.html

Appendix D

Sewa Bharati: Hindu Consolidation at Any Cost

Sewa Bharati, like Sewa International described in the previous
Appendix, is a Sangh organization involved in the work of
consolidating Hindu communities. As described in the previous
Appendix, Sewa Bharati’s efforts also use development/service as a
cover to consolidate communities at the margin of mainstream Hinduism
into a politicized field of Hindutva and also to intimidate and
convert Muslim and Christian minorities to “Hinduism.”

D. 1 Sewa Bharati and Sewa International

Accordingly, this Appendix will remain brief with the sole intent of
establishing the similarity of the work. Probably the most coherent
way of understanding the links between Sewa Bharati and Sewa
International is to think of them as complimentary to each other in
terms of geographical spread and replicating each other’s projects in
substantial terms. Historically, Sewa Bharati is an older institution
set up with the objective of using the structure of service/
development to spread Hindutva. As the diasporic connection became
more important within RSS’s internal organization, Sewa International
was started with an initial intent of coordinating foreign funds to
Sewa operations within India and also to undertake necessary Sewa
activity within diasporic communities. However, this distinction has
not been strictly held in place with Sewa International also operating
directly in India.

D. 2 Sewa Bharati as a Sangh Organization

The RSS recognizes Sewa Bharati as one of its key organizations.[114]
Sewa Bharati functions as an umbrella organization for many different
projects and has many branches all over the country. Its range of
operations extends from urban slums to tribal areas, purportedly for
welfare/development functions. However, as in the case of Sewa
International, this claim is easily proven to be false. In the book,
‘RSS: A Vision in Action’[115] , H.V.Sheshadri, a former general
secretary of the RSS, recounts many examples of Sewa Bharati involved
in conducting Hindu religious functions in slums, teaching and
conducting Hindu rites and rituals (such as the home, havan and
kirtan), building temples and organizing visits to Hindu pilgrim
sites. A brief example should suffice:

Neiraich is a village near Agra with a population of 3 to 4 thousand.
For many years, the place had not partaken of any religious programmes
like home, haven, katha or kirtan. With the entry of the Seva Bharati,
the villagers came forward to conduct haven followed by the Ramayana
[the televised version of a Hindu epic] screened on the VCR. And now
the village life has become enlivened with religious fervour and
community life.

So also, Sewa International's website [116] speaks extensively about
Sewa Bharati, and its religious inclination rather than a
developmental inclination. The page on Social Harmony describes Sewa
Bharati volunteers organizing Ram Lila, Holi, Makar Sankranti and
Ugadi (all Hindu festivals) celebrations in different localities. The
page on ‘Ennobling Social Conduct’ further describes Sewa Bharati
volunteers engaging the community in singing religious songs
(bhajans), celebrating Krishna Janmashtami (a Hindu festival), or
offering Hindu prayers.


D.3 Hindu Consolidation Revisited

A visit of the Supreme Leader of RSS to a function organized by the
Sewa Bharati is described as follows [117]:

The pradhan [chief] from Deenapurgaon said, ‘Because of Sewa-karya
[the work of Sewa Bharati], in our locality the fanaticism of the
Muslims has subsided’. ... The elder from Samatadham Basti said with
folded hands, ‘[If] Sewa Bharati had not reached our Basti, many of
our people would have been converted to Christianity, as there were
none of guide us.’ He continued, ‘After Sewa-karya started, a temple


has come into being. Daily pooja [prayer service] takes place in the
temple with Arati. Because of this, the feeling of Hindutwa in our
households has been awakened. All this is the contribution of Sewa
Bharati.

Yet again, the mode of working is very clear. Muslim and Christian
communities are the ones from which difference is to be drawn, and the
“Hindu” population of an area so differentiated, is then initiated
into a series of activities that consolidate them into active agents
of Hindutva. As usual there is little of no evidence of developmental
work.

Where possible, the agenda goes further to conversion from Islam or
Christianity to Hinduism as in the case titled ‘Hindu Identity
Reclaimed’ in Western Uttar Pradesh [118]:

A Samskar Kendra [an activity of the Sewa Bharati, meant to help
children develop ‘character’] had been opened in the Nagla Singi
extension near Hathras in Braj. On the first day, when the teacher
asked the children's names, one replied, 'Mahmood', another 'Rashid',
and so on. The teacher was surprised, since Nagla was predominantly a
locality of the Hindus. How could there be so many Muslim boys? It
came out that a certain Moulvi [a Muslim preacher] had been visiting
the area from time to time, and it is he who had named the children.
Hindu priests had hardly ever come to them. Even dead bodies were
disposed of in the Muslim fashion.

Such was the state of affairs in this hamlet. The people belonged to
the Ghumantu Banjara caste and traditionally lived by cattle-rearing.
They had no contact at all with Hindu society. This had encouraged the
Moulvi.

After activities of Sewa Bharati started, things changed. Children got
new names. The life-style of the people too began changing. Children
began to take an interest in learning. They were gradually introduced
to tenets of Hinduism.


The script is clear and similar to what we have already seen in
Appendix C vis a vis Sewa International. The community in question is
identified as Ghumantu Banjara caste of cattle-rearers. Cattle-
rearing is traditionally a backward caste occupation, with some tribal
populations on occasion also being involved in the same. Whichever the
case maybe, what should be clear is that backward caste Hindus would
share very few of the upper caste Hindu rituals and practices, and
would hold themselves as distinct from upper caste Hindu formations.
Even if the basic premise as described in the story – a moulvi
converting Ghumantu Banjaras to Islam is taken as true – then, as
Muslims the community would have been escaping, at least nominally,
distinctions of caste. The process of conversion to Hinduism is thus
effective at two levels: first, it clearly is an effort to consolidate
a Hindutva identity and second, it brings the community back into the
traditional caste order by virtue of which the community is yet again,
subject to a hierarchy.

D.4 Hindutva at Any Cost

Probably the most recent example of how Sewa Bharati works to
differentiate “Hindu” communities and sow the seeds of tension between
“Hindu” communities and other minorities is during the Gujarat
earthquake last year. Sewa Bharati, Gujarat, received a lot of funds
last year following the earthquake, from foreign donors as well as the
Indian government for rebuilding villages in Gujarat [119]. Sewa
Bharati utilized these funds to include a temple and a crematorium in
each village that it rebuilt and built no mosques, churches or
graveyards [120]. Either all the villages that Sewa Bharati chose to
rebuild were predominantly Hindu villages (which begs the question as
to why it chose villages so selectively), or it built only temples in
villages that had significant non-Hindu populations. The reason why
this example is a critical one is simply to show how fundamentally
instrumental the Sangh is. Even the most disastrous of human
calamities are for Sangh operations like Sewa Bharati moments for
political/religious consolidation rather than humanitarian aid. This
example will be revisited in some detail in a later appendix that
details such discrimination on the part of the Sangh in situations of
extreme crisis.

In summary therefore, like Sewa International, Sewa Bharati is
fundamentally a part of core Sangh activity, and uses every instance
possible to consolidate a Hindu identity and involve itself in
conversion activity. Thus it is simply important to underscore the
fact that when funds from the US are received by Sewa Bharati, its
primary use is for ideological/religious propaganda work.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

114. http://www.rss.org/Variousbranches.html

115. http://www.hindubooks.org/Vision/ch7.html

116. Social Harmony, http://www.sewainternational.org/social.html ;
Ennobling Social Conduct, http://www.sewainternational.org/ennobling.html

117. Inspiring visit of P. P. Sarsanghchalakji, Delhi
http://www.sewainternational.org/ennobling.html

118. Hindu Identity Reclaimed Braj Prant (Western Uttar Pradesh),
http://www.sewainternational.org/ennobling.html

119. An article about Goa state funds being used by Sewa Bharati for
rebuilding Gujarat villages, Parrikar uses Goa funds to boost RSS
image in Gujarat, http://www.freenewsgoa.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=42

120. http://www.sewainternational.org/rajrepo.htm

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Appendix C

Sewa International: Service With An Ideological Edge

For those attempting to understand the operations of the RSS,
especially the role of foreign funds in its work, an examination of
the role of its Sewa Vibhag is critical. Within the Sewa Vibhag, the
Sewa Bharati and the Sewa International are two of the most critical
organizations. Their criticality as the Sangh organizations lies in
the fact that both are excellent examples of the precise way in which
the Sangh’s service work is organized, as well as key organizations in
coordinating foreign funds for these service projects. Accordingly,
this appendix is organized into two broad sections:

1. Linking the service Institutions: The RSS. Sewa International and
IDRF

2. The Work of Sewa International: Little Service, More Hinduization

C.1 Linking the Sewa Institutions: The RSS. Sewa International and
IDRF
At the very outset, Sewa International is a Sangh organization. Its
historical connection to the Sangh is visible from the fact that in
older Sangh literature, the address of Sewa International is the same
as that of the RSS headquarters in Delhi.[99] Further, this fact is
established time and again in much Sangh literature that describes the
Sangh’s Sewa karya (Service work). In its mission statement Sewa
International characterizes itself as “an umbrella for more than 2000
projects and programs all over India” overseeing “more than 50000
Swayamsevaks (volunteers) involved in running 76 types of activities.
[100] Similarly, Sewa Disha, the Sangh’s Sewa Vibhag report introduces
Sewa International as follows:

Yet another development is the establishment of an international

organization titled ‘SEWA INTERNATIONAL’ which now has branches in


many countries. Sewa International will look after the interests of
seva [service] related issues not only in the respective countries

where they have chapters but also take up ‘GLOBAL’ level care of sewa
[service] work carried out under the Sangh ideology. [101]

So also, the RSS website documents its links with its operations
abroad, “in over 100 countries”:

where volunteers are busy organizing Hindus under different
organizations. Hindu Council, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Sewa
International, Friends of India Society International, etc. are some
of them.[102]

The missing link in the above quote is clearly IDRF. However, the IDRF
lists Sewa International as ‘IDRF India’ and Shyam Parande, the
General Secretary of Sewa International, as IDRF Advisor in India.
[103] Shyam Parande is incidentally characterized by Observer an
Indian news magazine as “the organizer of Sangh activities abroad.
[104] The connections are also established in the reverse direction.
Sewa International, on its website, also states that it is ‘associated
with the IDRF, USA and Sewa International, UK.’ It is interesting to
note here that Sewa International, UK [105], calls itself the ‘service
project’ of HSS-UK [106], thus providing the usual surfeit of
connections between these seemingly independent organizations.

C.2 The Work of Sewa International: Little Service, More Hinduization

As we argued in section 2.1 of the main report, the basic focus of
Sewa activity as coordinated by Sewa International is the various
community activities taken on by the Sangh and the resulting spread of
Sangh philosophy in different areas. [107] This clarity – where
“development” is merely the pretext for sectarian ideological
training, is expounded in detail by H.S. Sheshadri, the ex-General
Secretary of the RSS:

Our programmes and activities are but the outer form of our Sewakarya
[service work]. The ultimate object of all these endeavours is Hindu
Sangathan - consolidation and strengthening of the Hindu society.
[108]

The key phrase in the above passage is “consolidation of Hindu
society” – indicating that there are many parts of Indian society that
are at a distance from what the RSS defines as Hindu society. It is to
“convert” these people who are “insufficiently Hindu”, that sewa karya
is a cover for. For instance, “Hindu consolidation”’ very often
happens through celebrating Hindu festivals such as Holi, Raksha
Bandhan, Yugadi, Sankranti—all festivals described by the VHP, as
those promoting Hindu consciousness and ‘national integration. [109]

C.2.1 Less Service, More Hinduization

The centrality of consolidation work within sewa karya is amply
visible in the following description where a ‘social service’ project
in the slums often leads to the establishment of an RSS shakha (an RSS
cell) in the locality:

After the day's tuition, the Bhagwa Dhwaj [saffron flag—the symbol of
the Sangh] is hoisted and the Prarthana [the RSS prayer] too takes
place. On Sundays, a regular full-fledged Shakha is conducted. [110]

Clearly, the flag, the prayer and the Shakha dominate the activities
of Sewa International. In noting this trajectory of work, where a
theological core is what constitutes the work of Sewa International,
what is critical to understand is that all of this work is carried out
in the name of “development.” Most Sewa International projects are
defined in terms of “rural development” or “tribal education” or some
similar “developmental” category. In other words, there is a clear
effort to mislead people who would otherwise be favorably disposed to
developmental activity. Development with a Hindutva twist is mostly
Hindutva and very little development.

There is another issue that bears some deliberation: If “Hindu
consolidation” is being carried out in the name of development, who is
it that the Sangh seeks to “consolidate”? As we noted above, there are
large segments of the Indian polity that have little or nothing to do
with Hindutva. This not only includes the Muslims and the Christians,
two large minority groups in India but also others who are
sufficiently outside of Hindu fold – the Dalits (untouchables) and the
adivasis (the tribals). Dalits, for centuries considered outside the
caste Hindu order, do not easily accept efforts to integrate them into
Hinduism because they clearly understand that it would mean the
continued subjugation by the caste hierarchy. Tribals (adivasis)
similarly, have also traditionally been outside the hierarchy of caste
Hinduism and have insisted for generations on a separate identity
outside of upper caste Hinduism. Needless to say, the core of Hindutva
ideology is a very clearly marked upper caste doctrine that seeks to
keep in place many of the traditional and regressive hierarchies of
caste Hindu society. While these four groups are the Sangh targets
through Sewa work for “consolidation” into a Hindu order, it is
equally true that large numbers of those who are statistically
identified as Hindus do not necessarily have a consolidated Hindu
identity – that is they are not mobilized into action by their Hindu
identity. Presented below are three cases of Sewa International’s
work, which they present as good textbook examples of their work. As
usual, all three are categorized as “development” work.

C 2.2 Hazratpur Becomes Shivaji Nagar: The Essential Limits of
Development

Hazratpur is, like many other Indian villages, largely poor, with both
a Hindu and a Muslim population living in close quarters, just a small
distance away from the town of Bulandshahar in UP. Like many other
such villages, a large part of the poorer Hindus in the village are
not upper caste and are thus traditionally not part of the Hindutva
movement. So also, like so many other villages and towns in the
region, the names of areas reflect the complex and rich history of the
region. One town may have a tenth century Hindu king’s name, while the
next village may be named after a local Muslim saint. Hazratpur is an
excellent example of the latter. There are few demarcations and this
pattern of complex intermixing is the rule.

Here is an extract from the Sewa International propaganda material on
‘rural development’ that reflects their efforts to intervene in this
multi-religious community [111] :

When the Ram-Janma-Bhoomi Mukti Andolan swept the country, this
village too energised itself. The karyakartas [Sangh workers] stepped
in to orient people's enthusiasm in constructive directions.

They asked the villagers: "Do you have at least a Mandir [Temple] to
express your religious sentiments? Is the atmosphere here conducive to
progress? Don't you want to change?"

This set the people thinking. As a first step, they decided to build a
temple. Because of their determination, a Devimata Mandir was ready
within five months. This demonstrated that a great deal could be
achieved through harmony and co-operation. Religious feelings became
strengthened. Regular Sankeertan began to be held every Saturday. On
Sunday mornings people gathered together for Shramdan (Community
Labour).

Men, women and youth - all joined to make the Mandir a live centre.
They equipped the temple with loudspeaker and other facilities.

An evening of sports was organised for the youths (sic). This led to
the formation of a Shakha soon. More and more youths were attracted to
Sangh work. Now there are five karyakartas who have undergone Sangh
Shiksha Varg training, one of them a tehsil (county) karyawah…. State-
level functionaries of Sangh too began to visit the village from time
to time….

The villagers decided that in order to reflect the inspiration behind
all this activity, the Shishumandir and the Vidya Mandir should both
be named after Chatrapati Shivaji. The village itself has now come to
be known as Shivaji Nagar.


Many different aspects of this extract need to be highlighted:

a. The Ram-Janmabhoomi Mukti Andolan refers to a violent mobilization
of the Sangh which culminated in the destruction of a 16th century
mosque – the Babri Masjid – and subsequently a protracted series of
religious riots across India, where large numbers of Muslims were
massacred by the organized forces of the Sangh. In other words, when
this activity was begun in Hazratpur, the Muslim population was
potentially feeling great levels of fear and insecurity and thus
unable to participate in any democratic manner within a debate on what
must be done in the village.

b. RSS swayamsevaks as Sewa International workers entered the village,
supposedly to do rural development work, but instead began to mobilize
a community of Hindus, who had till then not necessarily held on to a
separate rigid identity into building a whole new set of Hindutva
institutions – Sishu Mandir and Vidya Mandirs, apart from a temple and
the running of a weekly shakha. In other words, they consolidated a
community and drew up new lines of division in the village. The
village is now ready for a riot. Note that this is what the Sangh
calls “progress” or “change.”

c. The final act of consolidation is of course in the effort to change
the name. By attempting to change a name that is a product of historic
exigencies and is part of a sense of the past of the local people and
replacing it with a new name – Shivaji Nagar – symbolic of
contemporary Hindu revivalism, the Sangh is not just deepening the
divisions it is in the process of creating locally, but also adding to
its larger project of wiping out all traces of Islam from the sub
continent.

Similar incidents with Christians are also highlighted in the Sewa
International literature.

C.2.3 Religious Conversion as Development

Speaking of a poor neighborhood (basti), they write [112]:

The situation in these Bastis used to be rather peculiar. Boys with
names like Mohan or Shyam Prakash wore the cross down their rock
[sic]. Some had added the suffix "Maseeh" to their names - like Dinesh
Maseeh, Govind Maseeh [Maseeh is variation of ‘messiah’ and is a
common last name among South Asian Christians]. But change came so
fast that it looked as if people were waiting for it. Now the cross
has vanished and in its place one finds lockets of OM, Durga, Ram or
Hanumanji. There was no temple; now a temple has been built by the
residents themselves near the entrance of the Basti. A beautiful
garden has been raised adjacent to the temple. This reflects the in-
born dharmik [religious] temperament of the Basti residents.

The modus operandi is similar with the difference that the target for
consolidation is a group of poor Christians. In other words,
development in this case is in the main religious conversion work. The
process of getting to this is similar to the example above, where
Hindutva institutions are constructed and certain Hindu symbols are
highlighted.

C.2.4 Fixing the Hindu Order: Consolidation of Caste

But as we said, it is more than the Christians and Muslims who are
targets for consolidation. Efforts to draw Dalits and tribals into a
narrow Hinduism are also on. Dalits and tribals as subjects of
consolidation are to be integrated into the Hindu order as lowest
within the ritual hierarchy:

A special programme was organised to honour aged men and women, in a
Basti. A 'Havan' was performed, after which the Mahanagar Sanghchalak
of Sangh [City Leader of the RSS] stood up, invited the oldest couple
present to the stage, applied tilak to them and honoured them by
offering shriphal on behalf of the entire society. The scene reminded
many of the affection with which Sri Ram had embraced Guha of the
lowly hunter-tribe while on his way to the forest. [113]

The symbolic positioning of the RSS supremo as upper caste (god
equivalent) is embarrassingly clear. Sri Ram – the upper caste
(Kshatriya) god -- embracing the “lowly” Guha as a metaphor for a
contemporary tilak ceremony (normally used as a welcome/acceptance
ritual) leaves no doubts as to where in the order dalits and tribals
fit within Hindutva.

What must be noted in summary is the significant levels of
instrumentality in the way Sewa International projects are carried
out. Using the cover of development, projects are undertaken where the
most significant objective has got little to do with economic or
social empowerment, and has everything to do with consolidation of a
specific Hindu identity that is suited to the project of Hindutva. It
would not be wrong to say that the integration-consolidation work is
actually well positioned not just to spread a specific and narrow
Hinduism, but also to reproduce traditionally oppressive hierarchies.
There is little or no “development” work but mostly the building up of
religious spaces such as temples and RSS institutions such as Vidya
Mandirs or Sishu Vihars. Sewa International, yet again, like IDRF,
named innocuously as merely a Service organization is surely more
ideology and less service.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

99. A website soliciting funds for the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram through
the Sewa International gives its address as Sewa International, India,
Keshav Kunj, Jhandewalla D.B.Gupta Marg, New Delhi – 110055 INDIA,
Phone: +91 11 7779914 , http://www.hinduweb.org/home/seva/vanvasi/ The
RSS has its international headquarters at Keshav Kunj, Jhandewallan in
New Delhi, and many of its subsidiary organizations such as Sewa
Bharti also have their headquarters in the same complex at
Jhandewallan. The listed telephone number is also the same as that for
RSS’s headquarters in New Delhi (http://www.rss.org/contact/ ) Sewa
International has since moved away from that address and is now listed
at 515 New Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi

100. http://www.sewainternational.org/intro.html

101. http://www.hssworld.org/seva/sevadisha/sevadisha1/rss_seva_vibhag.html

102. http://www.rss.org/rssho.htm

103. http://www.idrf.org/contacts/contacts.htm#india

104. RSS goes global, chalks out expansion plan, by Suresh Unnithan in


The Observer, April 3, 1998 http://www.markazdawa.org/rss.htm

105. http://www.sewainternational.org/index2.html

106. http://sewainternational.com/intro.htm

107. http://www.sewainternational.org/exep.html

108. http://www.sewainternational.org/social.html

109. The Sewa International seems to seek inspiration from the VHP
statement on ‘Festivals for National Integration’
http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/hHindu%20Parv%20Samanvya/festivalfornationalintegration.htm
which states, “Holi, Dipawali, Vijyadashami, Raksha Bandhan, Sankranti
and the like have a great impact in keeping the society intact and in
promoting unity and integrity of the nation,” although it recognizes
that there may be social tensions in doing so, “The festivals and
parvas are being celebrated with interruption although there is some
adverse effect because of the political atmosphere or economic
disparities.” The VHP further advises mass celebrations of these
festivals, “So far most festivals are celebrated at the family level
or at some limited sectarian or institutional level. The area has to
be widened and they should be brought to mass and collective level…
Certain universal practices on the festive and other occasions also
would be helpful in promotion of national integration. Tilak Dharana
on the forehead, cow worship, hoisting of 'om' and 'Bhagava (Saffrron)
flags are some of them.” The Sewa International seems to be doing
exactly this as evident from its description of a Holi Festival,
“People of the Basti affectionately applied chandan and tilak to the
visitors. All greeted one another; Holi songs were sung; sweets were
shared… Sewa, Sangh and Hindutwa could thus enter the Basti.”
http://www.sewainternational.org/social.html

110. ‘Dedication and Perseverance Rewarded’ http://www.sewainternational.org/social.html

111. Building-Block of Progress: "Hazratpur" Becomes "Shivaji Nagar"
http://www.sewainternational.org/rural.html

112. ‘Dharmik Temperament the Key’ http://www.sewainternational.org/total.html

113. ‘In the service of the aged and ill’ http://www.sewainternational.org/ennobling.html

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Appendix E

IDRF Relief Efforts: Sectarian, Not Humanitarian

The IDRF has funded numerous relief efforts in response to natural
disasters, communal violence, and other social crises. However, the
distributive mechanisms utilized by the IDRF have consistently
discriminated against Muslims and other minorities in India. IDRF’s
relief efforts are frequently divisive and have supported the further
communalization of Indian society. The intentions that motivate such
charity raise serious questions about the ethics and efficacy of such
funding, and their repercussions.

E.1 Responding to Crises Around the Globe

The IDRF has demonstrated extreme efficiency in raising money for the
victims of communal violence, even when the victims were situated
outside India. Such a commitment to respond to communal crises would
be commendable, but for the fact that its relief efforts are
themselves discriminatory. Most recently, it has refrained from
funding relief efforts in Gujarat after the communal riots of February
and March 2002 where the victims were in large part Muslims. An
analysis of the IDRF’s partisan response to crisis makes visible a
clear communal agenda.

E.1.1 Relief for Hindus Alone

The IDRF participated in fundraising efforts with the HSS and the FISI
in the US to raise money for Bangladeshi Hindu victims of communal
violence.[121] Similarly, the IDRF raised money for Kashmiri Hindus
victimized by militants in Kashmir.[122] More recently the IDRF
announced a donation of $25,000 towards relief efforts following the
World Trade Center collapse.[123] In all three cases, the people
responsible for perpetrating the disaster were Muslims, and the
victims largely non-Muslim. In contrast, to date, the IDRF has not
announced any relief for the victims of communal riots in Gujarat in
February and March 2002. Given the egregious nature of violence, civil
disturbance and damage, death (between 850 and 2000) and displacement
(98,000 people in over 100 relief camps) in Gujarat [124], it is
glaring that the IDRF has failed to organize aid or relief efforts in
the state. Gujarat 2002 is different from the earlier instances of
communal violence that the IDRF did respond to in one simple way: the
perpetrators of communal violence in Gujarat were largely the forces
of Hindutva and the victims predominantly Muslim. This in itself
should confirm that IDRF disburses relief dollars along communal
(sectarian) lines. However, there is more specific and directed
evidence to support the case. However, there is more specific and
directed evidence to support the case.

E.2 The Administering of IDRF Relief

The IDRF’s relief efforts in India have consistently been administered
by Hindutva organizations. These relief operations have often denied
relief to minority communities and furthered communal mistrust.

E. 2.1 Earthquake Relief

In the Gujarat earthquake of January 2001, the majority of the IDRF’s
funds were donated to Sewa Bharati, an organization that we have
already shown in this report to be a critical part of the Sangh
Parivar. The RSS and other Hindutva organizations administered relief
disbursements along communal lines, visibly neglecting Muslim areas.
Kuldip Nayar reports on the state of relief in Gujarat as follows:

Some areas where the Muslims live have been purposely left out without
any relief or rehabilitation work. The discrimination against them has
been open. The press has complained about it. Some newspapers have
even cited examples, alleging how the RSS and the VHP activists have
"hijacked" relief supplies in the Kutch. The government appears to
have connived at such flagrant instances of bias and prejudice.[125]

It has been alleged that the RSS not only excluded relief
disbursements in minority areas after the Gujarat earthquake of
January 2001, but also disrupted non-Hindu organizations from
participating in relief efforts. Scott Baldauf of the Christian
Science Monitor states that:

But when Catholic workers from the St. Xavier's Social Services
Society arrived at the hospital to provide some help as well, they
were chased off with sticks, curses, and threats. “They [the RSS
workers] were shouting at us, telling us literally to get out,” says
the Rev. Cedric Prakash, St. Xavier's director in Ahmedabad. "In a
situation like this, anybody who wants to work and serve must be given
the chance to do so. I don't think that any one group should be
controlling it.[126]

Further evidence to this pattern comes from reports that in villages
with mixed religious populations, the RSS reconstruction efforts
consistently involved the construction of a temple and a crematorium
but no mosques, churches or cemeteries. Again, the Gujarat earthquake
is an instance where some consistent documentation is available on the
communal patterns of the IDRF relief funding. Other instances outside
of Gujarat, such as after the Orissa cyclone of 1999, where the IDRF-
RSS relief efforts were communal, have also some documentation.[127]

E.3 The Instrumental Uses of the Hajj Fire

Given such a consistent pattern of discriminatory funding, even a few
isolated instances of the IDRF funds reaching Indian minorities would
enable us to hypothesize that the IDRF, in spite of its pro-Hindutva
bias does on occasion respond to the sheer human aspect of a calamity.
One such event, of a person from IDRF attempting to raise funds for
Muslim victims of a tragedy, does exist. In response to a fire during
the annual Hajj season (the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia),
in which many Muslims from India lost their lives, the IDRF undertook
a project to raise money for the victims of the fire. The Sword of
Truth, a prominent Hindutva site documents this event as follows:

IDRF…undertook a project to raise funds for the Indian Moslems who had
gone to Saudi Arabia for Haj but died in a fire…IDRF immediately hired
a man…to raise funds for the dead Mohammedans. When people asked him
why was he doing that, …the 'wise guy' …from RSS replied that this was
not to really help the Mohammedans but to 'create' a false impression
of Hindu generosity toward the Mohammedans. That way…the Mohammedans
would vote for the BJP in the coming election…”

Note: We have since heard from the director of IDRF on the subject. He
wrote on March 3rd 1998 'I am aware of the attempt made by an the IDRF
volunteer to raise funds for the afflicted Indian Hajis in Saudi
Arabia…We had investigated and reviewed the episode which had hurt the
feelings of many the IDRF well-wishers. I wish to assure you that
since that event, we have agreed to new guidelines for any such
attempt and I feel confident that such a thing will not be repeated in
the future.' [128]

Such utter instrumentality must have its reasons. In summary let us
look at what conclusions the above documentation helps us arrive at:

1. Even the relief component of the IDRF’s funds must be understood as
almost entirely sectarian. There is an active intent on the part of
the IDRF and the organizations it specifically uses in crisis relief
efforts to discriminate against minorities and provide relief to
Hindus alone.

2. In many areas of the world, relief is often provided by religious
organizations because of the deep seated humanism in many religions.
The IDRF on the other hand funds relief not within the ambit of
humanitarianism but clearly as part of its strategy of consolidating
Hindus.

3. However, it should also be clear that IDRF wants to retain an image
of being non-sectarian. This should indicate that not only is IDRF
sectarian even in relief, but also misleads donors with humanitarian
pretensions.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


121. http://www.fisiusa.org/fisi_Campaigns/bd_hindu_solidarity_day.htm

122. http://www.idrf.org/appeals/JKappeal.htm

123. http://www.ipnatlanta.net/0109wtc.html

124. http://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/india/

125. Discriminating against the distressed in a democracy, Kuldip
Nayar, Financial Express, February 21, 2001.

126. India rises from rubble with old social divides, Scott Baldauf,
Christian Science Monitor, January 31, 2001.
http://www.csmonitor.com/durable/2001/01/31/fp1s3-csm.shtml

127. http://lists.cs.columbia.edu/pipermail/ornet/2002-June/004713.html.

128. http://www.swordoftruth.com/swordoftruth/archives/oldarchives/bjprss.html

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Appendix F

Adivasi vs Vanvasi: The Hinduization of Tribals in India

Most indigenous tribal people of India refer to themselves as Adivasi
(literally: first inhabitants). This term of choice also the one that
is used in almost all matters of public discourse about tribal peoples
– from school textbooks to government documents and newspaper accounts
to academic scholarship. The only exception to this more or less
universal rule is the Sangh Parivar and all those who are
ideologically committed to Hindutva. The term of choice for them is
“vanvasi” (forest dwellers) as opposed to “adivasi” (first
inhabitants).

Historically, the adivasi’s have been marginalized from the mainstream
of Indian society through the caste system. Adivasi’s have been
traditionally treated as outside the caste structure and are seen as
entirely impure from within the Brahminic caste order. Adivasi
societies, in turn, consider themselves distinct from the majority
Hindu population of India, as well as from most other organized forms
of religion. In post-independence India, the State has further
marginalized adivasi communities through a systematic process of
alienating them from their lands and resources in the name of
“progress” and “development.”

The Sangh Parivar’s efforts to recast adivasi’s as vanvasi’s is a
critical component of their ideological project. Their project of
“Hindu Rashtra” rests on a claim of Hindus being indigenous to India
and any other claimants to that slot, as Adivasis are, fundamentally
challenges their project of a Hindu Nation. For instance according to
an analysis appearing in Indian Express:

The reason why the Sangh denies Adivasis the status of the original
dwellers is that it runs counter to its own claim that the Aryans, who
brought Vedic civilization to the country, are the original
inhabitants of the land.[129]

Adivasi communities have been especially weakened in the last century
through imposed religious divisions, first by large scale Christian
missionary activity—mostly peaceful and welfare based though often
also patronizing; and more recently by the Sangh Parivar which has
arrogated to itself the authority to control the lives of the adivasis
and is engaged in a massive drive to ‘bring back’ the tribals into the
fold of Hinduism—using everything from vicious attacks by thugs under
the name of protecting Hinduism to setting up organizations that
purport to work for tribal welfare and education.

The Sangh Parivar has set up a plethora of organizations that focus on
tribal areas. Some of the prominent ones are:

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram
Ekal Vidyalaya
Sewa Bharati
Vivekananda Kendra
Bharat Kalyan Pratishthan
Friends of Tribal Society
All of the above organizations are active in the tribal areas and all
have received the IDRF funding. The remainder of this Appendix will
explicate with brief examples how these IDRF funded institutions work
in their attempts to “bring back” adivasis into Hindu fold.

The basic strategies deployed by the Sangh organizations include:

1. Primary focus on Hinduizing Tribals as necessary for National
Integration.
2. Using its influence in adivasi areas to secure electoral gains
3. Activities geared towards creating communal tensions and violence

We examine each of these in order.

F.1 ‘Hinduizing’ Adivasis For National Integration.

The objectives of the Sangh organizations working among the adivasis
are two fold: to ‘bring them back’ to Hindu faith and to ‘check’ the
conversions to Christianity. This vision is laid out clearly in many
RSS texts. For instance, in “RSS: Widening Horizons”, an RSS
publication, the origins of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, an IDRF funded
body is laid out clearly:

The systematic alienation of the tribals…who form an inseparable part
of the Hindu society through proselytization was another grave
challenge that demanded immediate corrective measures…. They had all
along been a most exploited lot and an easy prey for unscrupulous
conversion by Christian missionaries. It is to counter this twin
menace of British legacy, that the Bharateeya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram
(BKVA) was founded in early fifties. …Over the decades, the Ashram has
succeeded not only in putting a stop to conversions in all its areas
of operation, but also in bringing the converts back to the Hindu
fold. (emphasis added).[130]

Note the twin objectives: to halt Christian conversion and to ‘bring
back’ adivasis into Hindu fold. The first objective by itself is
incomplete for the project of Hindutva. It is in this core area of
ideological work (religious ‘reconversion’) that a significant part of
IDRF’s energies and funds are put to work. In IDRF’s own words in
speaking of one of their 'NGO partners' [131]

The objective of Vidharba Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram is to bring the
vanavasis (Tribals) in the national main stream by generating
awareness about their ancestral (Hindu) fold…and to guard them against
the anti social and anti national elements… (emphasis added).

In the above IDRF documentation of the work it supports the
ideological parameters are laid out even more clearly. First, the task
of bringing adivasis ‘back’ into Hindu fold is seen as bringing them
into a national mainstream – i.e, the national mainstream in this
definition is a Hindu one, perfectly in tune with the idea of a Hindu
Rashtra and further, the “anti-national” elements are the Christians –
thus underscoring the idea of a nation for Hindus as the core project
of Hindutva. This ideological core of work among adivasis is a
repeated trope in Hindutva writings. Mohan Joshi, the Joint Secretary
to the VHP for instances comments on Muslim and Christian converts as
follows[132],

[T]hey always try to increase their numerical strength. They
deliberately jeer at the Hindu gods and goddesses, Hindu values and
Hindu culture…. Along with the disrespect to [Hindu] religion
disrespect to nation also gets generated. Conversion from religion
means conversion of allegiance from State also…

Thus under the guise of tribal welfare and education what is
undertaken by most IDRF funded Sangh organizations is an intense
religious reconversion program. Sewa Bharati, another the IDRF
partner, says in one of its reports on the IDRF website:

To cultivate faith in our religion in the minds of Tribals Sewa
Bharati has picked up 23 Tribal youths and 4 tribal girls, they were
sent to Ayodhya to undergo training in 'Shri RamKatha
Pravachan' (discourses of Ramayan). This training lasted 8 months
under the guidance of special Saints and Mahatmas. Now 'Anubhav Varga'
has been formed at Jashpur Nagar, from where groups of two will visit
5 days in each five villages. They will live in the villages and
propagate 'RamKatha.' [133]

Not only is it important to note that Ramkathas have little to do with
Adivasi traditions, but equally critical is to understand the spread
of this Sangh operation. In the case of the Sewa Bharati example
above, tribal youth are being relocated for religio-ideological
training and then being sent back to their communities. A news report
about Ekal Vidyalayas, another IDRF grantee gives another testimony to
the spread of this work:

Such schools …[are] being run in remote forest areas and north-eastern
states with the aim of creating awareness among the tribals and the
poor and preventing their conversion to Christianity by missionaries.
[134]

Thus, the IDRF funded operations of Sewa Bharati, Vanvasi Kalyan
Ashrams and Ekal Vidyalayas, are only nominally development/welfare
organizations but far more cogently adivasi reconversion institutions.
It is also important to note that this ideological work is seen as
central to the immediate real political gains of the Sangh.

F. 2 Every Adivasi Counts: The Electoral End of Tribal Reconversion

While the IDRF, like the Sangh claims to be non-political, the stated
goal of the Sangh Parivar is to get the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
into power—a prerequisite for the creation of a Hindu Rashtra (a Hindu
Nation). The Sangh organizations working with the tribal populations
are also mindful of this goal and are doing their bit to achieve it.
A report following elections in Gujarat states,

The Bharatiya Janata Party, without mincing words, accepted on Friday
that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal, groups accused of anti-
Christian violence in tribal areas about a year ago, helped the
party’s foray into the tribal areas. … Congress leader Vishnu Pandya
says that the BJP’s victory in the tribal region has not come all of
the sudden. "The Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad (a RSS wing), VHP and the
Bajrang Dal have been working strategically to outscore the Congress
in its stronghold..[135]

Another newspaper report on the plans for setting up more Ekal
Vidyalayas in Gujarat by the VHP had this candid confession from the
VHP functionary in the area:

We are just imitating our Bihar experience where the BJP could make
inroads because of such schools run by the VHP in the Jharkhand
region,” Kaushik Patel, a parishad leader, said…. According to [the]
VHP leader, the positive impact of these Ekal Vidyalays—which aim to
bring tribals into the Hindu fold—will be evident in the next general
elections... Pointing out that the experiment has been a huge success
in Bihar, he said the VHP has already made inroads in tribal Gujarat,
once considered a Congress stronghold.[136]

Thus, a long term ideological project of Hindu reconversions, in
itself a violent ideology (of a Hindu Rashtra) meets with the
possibility of immediate electoral gains. There is no better ground
for the creation of communal tensions and violence than such as lethal
mix of ideological work and electoral politics.

F. 3 The Effects of Hinduization: Communal Tensions and Sectarian
Violence

The effects of Hinduization drives, funded systematically by IDRF, are
the constant production of communal tension and violence. We have
already documented the spread of violence by IDRF funded organizations
in the main report and in appendix A. Thus, this section will be brief
and serve merely as a reminder to conclusions that have already been
argued for.

The Sangh Parivar’s actions in tribal areas, as elsewhere, are
accompanied by a spread of literature full of hatred towards
minorities.

An example from the literature for the Kalyanashram at Sidumbar, an
IDRF grantee states,

The Muslims are also trying to create chaos in these communities,
either by enticing these tribals or by raping the tribal girls by
force…The Kalyanashram at Sidumbar is trying to put a stop to these
activities of Muslims as well as Christians…The workers…are required
to give a tough fight to the Christian Missionaries because they keep
on harassing the local residents. [137]

Note how the invocation of Muslims as violent is left entirely
unsubstantiated and is essentially thrown into the framework of anti-
Christian missionary work. This thematic continues consistently with
other IDRF funded organizations. A report on the Vanvasi Kalyan
Ashram’s school in Waghai (supported by IDRF) goes as follows:

AMONG THE GREAT HINDU warriors of this millennium, few rival Shivaji,
the 17th-century leader who battled invading Mughal armies … So it's
no surprise to find a fresco of Shivaji gracing the entrance to the
Dandkarniya Vanavasi School in Waghai, a remote town in the western
state of Gujarat. Set in a quiet forest, the private institution
appears to be an ideal place to study - except that its 28 pupils
don't seem to be getting a very fair education. Many of the boys are
too young to realize it, but…[a] short Hindi poem inscribed under
Shivaji's portrait affords a glimpse of what the students learn. "If
it weren't for Shivaji," the ballad goes, "we would all be
circumcised." The message: Shivaji saved Hindus from being forcibly
converted to Islam….Most of the students at Dandkarniya, for instance,
used to be first-generation Christians. "Now they are all Hindus,"
smiles Bacchubhai Vasava, a young RSS leader who runs the school.
[138]

Of course the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram activists have little time for
details such as the fact that the Mughal army had Hindu generals and
the Maratha army Muslim generals. For them, the anti-miority violence
is an essential part of the strategy to bring tribals ‘back’ into
Hindu fold. An editorial on the anti-Christian violence in the Dangs,
Gujarat confirms this:[139]

[O]fficials affirm that there was no overt hostility towards the
community till two years ago. This period, not coincidentally, saw
resurgence in aggressive Hindu mobilization. At the forefront of this
campaign has been Swami Aseemanand, a member of the Vanvasi Kalyan
Parishad, an organization allied to the Sangh Parivar [and associated
with the IDRF]. He has been quoted as saying that "Dangs cannot know
peace so long as even a single tribal remains Christian". The swami
has been actively reconverting tribals in the area. Unfortunately,
this propagation of Hinduism has gone hand in hand with a hate
campaign against Christians.

The documentary Fishers of Men [140] documents the terrorization of
the Christian community in one village in Madhya Pradesh by the
workers from the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Jashpur (again funded by the
IDRF). The Christians describe the harassment, and one of the priests
speaks on film:

The main problem faced by the Christians Adivasis here is mental
harassment from outside agencies. The reason for this mental
harassment is the campaign of misinformation launched against them. I
have said before that Dilip Singh Judev [of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram,
Jashpur] takes out processions and other events and programmes at
which he spreads anti Christian propaganda that these people are
harmful to us as well as the nation that they are removed from the
mainstream that they are working towards the creation of a non-Hindu
nation. With this kind of propaganda against us definitely there is a
distance that develops between us. They feel that we are not good
citizens this surely causes us a lot of mental turmoil.

The documentary later goes on to document the tragic case of a
Christian Adivasi beaten to death by a frenzied Hindu mob, which
accused him of destroying a Hindu (Shiva) Temple. Kripa Prasad Singh,
a functionary of the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Jashpur is captured on
film with the following analysis of the painful event:

It was just the reaction of a local village because it was a
sentimental matter. So, they [the Hindus] got together and did the
deed. Every society has their unity so they got together and did it.

Dilip Singh Judev, Patron of Operation Ghar Vapasi (Reconversion Drive
of the Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram) explains it thus,

Over there, there was a 150-year-old Shiva temple, which these [the
Christian] people went and destroyed. Now if you go and destroy our
heritage...go on breaking our temples in this manner and if you expect
us to sit quietly and watch...we will not tolerate it… We are not
sitting at home wearing bangles.

Thus, IDRF funded Vanvasi Kalyan Ashrams are at the forefront of a
violent campaign to reassert Hindu identity and ‘reconvert’ adivasis
to Hinduism. Violence is justified in this strategy in part because
the ‘reconversion’ are so central to Sangh ideology’s very sustenance
and also because the process of regaining this Hindu Rashtra is
embedded within a rhetoric of regaining a lost manhood.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

129. Hindutva, the lexical way: Delegitimizing the Adivasi, A.J.
Philip, © Indian Express 1999

130. http://www.hindubooks.org/WideningHorizons/ch7.html

131. http://www.idrf.org/reports/vidarbha/vidarbha.htm

132. http://www.vhp.org/englishsite/d.Dimensions_of_VHP/cDharamPrasaar/religiousregeneration.htm

133. http://www.idrf.org/appeals/GujEQ/docs/mp_report.html

134. VHP plans schools in border areas to counter infiltration,
Hindustan Times, May 9, 2001. http://www.hvk.org/articles/0501/139.html

135. http://www.ahmedabad.com/news/oct/9bjp.htm

136. Sangh School Plan for Gujarat, Basant Rawat, The Telegraph, July
4,2000 x

137. Amrut-Khumbha of Service Streams, Dr. Shantaram Hari Ketkar, Ekta
Prakashan, Pune 1995

138. A REAL TEXTBOOK CASE: The BJP has begun to rewrite India's
history, Ajay Singh, Asiaweek, March 26, 1999

139. Dangs Violence is A Story Foretold, Arun Varghese, Times of
India, Feb 11, 1999

140. Fishers of Men, by Ranjan Kamath and Padmavati Rao, 1997, RKO
Moving Media, http://www.handmadeindia.net/fishers/index.htm

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Appendix G:

The Promotion of Bigotry: Sangh Parivar/IDRF's Contributions to
Education

Considerable documentation exists outside of this report on the
communalization of education in India. [141] This Appendix therefore
is not aimed at developing an overall analysis of the RSS inspired
communalization of education. Its intention are more narrowly focused
on the nature of communalized education being spread by some Sangh
organizations that are directly funded by IDRF. Accordingly, we focus
on three IDRF funded Sangh organizations: Vidya Bharati, Sewa Dham,
and the Bharatiya Education Society/Trust.

G.1 Vidya Bharati

The Vidya Bharati is the Sangh’s leading organization in the area of
education and runs several schools including Saraswati Shishu Mandirs.
IDRF funds have been given to many schools affiliated with Vidya
Bharati.

A sampling of ‘Sanskrit Gyan’ textbooks used in Vidya Bharati and
Shishu Mandir schools offers some startling revelations [142]. The
students are presented with ‘facts’ such as:

Homer adapted Valmiki’s Ramayana into an epic called Iliad,
The language of the Native American Indians evolved from ancient
Indian languages
a map of India which includes not only Pakistan and Bangladesh but
also the entire region of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and even parts of
Myanmar.
These sample “facts” from the Sanskrit Gyan textbooks are picked to
show the extent to which the project of building Hindu pride is taken
to. Once we comprehend that claims are being made over Homer and
Native Americans then it is not difficult to understand that the
ancient Indian history that students are taught is closer to
mythology, while medieval history is totally communalized. Islam is
made out to be a violent and militant religion, and Muslims are
depicted as intolerant rulers. In modern history, glory is placed upon
the RSS, which is shown as being central to the Freedom movement.
Inflammatory, anti-Muslim literature, which had been banned earlier
for inciting communal passions, makes its way into the literary texts
in these schools.

State institutions have for some time taken note of these gross
distortions and raised concern over it. An article in, Frontline, a
leading mainstream magazine records this concern:

In 1996, the National Council of Educational Research and Training
(NCERT) conducted an evaluation of school textbooks, including those
prescribed in Vidya Bharati schools in the country; it was reported
that there were 6,000 such schools with 12 lakh children on their
rolls under the tutelage of 40,000 teachers. The NCERT made the
alarming diagnosis that many of the Vidya Bharati textbooks were
‘designed to promote bigotry and religious fanaticism in the name of
inculcating knowledge of culture in the young generation.’ The
evaluation found it a matter of ‘serious concern’ that such material
was being utilised for instruction in schools which, ‘presumably, have
been accorded recognition (emphasis added) [143]

Of course, more recently, the NCERT itself has been gutted with most
liberal intellectuals removed from the Council and the Council’s
leadership being handed over to an Hindutva ideologue. [144]

G.2 Sewa Dham (Delhi)

Sewa Dham is also one of the educational organizations of the Sangh
funded by the IDRF. The level of distortion and bigotry prompted
attention from the New York Times. An article by Somini Sengupta who
visited the Sewa Dham school concludes:

Education is a centerpiece of the Hindu revivalist campaign, which is
natural, considering its cause: to build a Hindu nation out of what is
officially a secular country with rights accorded to religious
minorities.

The school curriculum, as we saw in the case of Vidya Bharati,
promotes mythology as history where “Lord Ram, the blue-skinned
warrior-king of Hindu lore, lived 886,000 years ago,” a conclusion
based on ''ancient texts and astrology.” Further Ram is described as
“the source of inspiration for Indian culture'' and a Hindu golden era
is constructed as one that dates back to the “time of the Indus Valley
civilization of the third millennium B.C.” Furthermore, the students
are also fed the Sangh propaganda about its campaigns. Sengupta
records the contents of a quiz for eighth graders as follows:

[it] tests their knowledge of the continuing campaign to build a Hindu
temple in Ayodhya, the mythical birthplace of Ram, where Hindu
militants razed a 16th-century mosque in 1992. Students are grilled on
everything from the date on which the temple reconstruction movement
began to the names of those killed by the police [145]

G.3 Bharatiya Education Society

The Bharatiya Education Society is an RSS School in Rajasthan. While
we have already documented the elevation of mythology to the status of
history and the communal bigotry in the RSS curriculum, we include
this report on BES to point to the fact that regressive education goes
beyond these parameters and includes the construction of women in
specific ways. A Christian Science Monitor describes education in this
school as follows:

Students get a large dose of ‘Hindutva’ values - teachings that argue
for the preeminence of India's 5,000- year-old civilization. Girls
learn that Hindu females are at their best as mothers. ‘The woman has
a special place in the home,’ says Jagdish Prasad Gujar, the principal
of BET. ‘Our women, our mothers, help to keep India strong.[146]

The conclusions again are apparent. Education clearly is a critical
component in the Sangh’s efforts to build a Hindu Rashtra and the IDRF
contributes significantly to the creation of infrastructure and
promotion of a curriculum that can without exaggeration be described
as bigoted.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

141. Most recently, a well documented and brilliant analysis,
Prejudice and Pride by Krishna Kumar, Penguin India, 2002

142. In the Name of History: Examples from Hindutva-inspired school
textbooks in India, Akhbar

143. A Spreading Network, by Venkitesh Ramakrishnan, Frontline, Nov
7-20, 1998

144. Reading the NCERT Framework, by Balmurli Natrajan, Rahul De' and
Biju Mathew, Ghadar, Volume 5: Number 1, Feb 21 2002

145. Hindu Right Goes to School to Build a Nation, Somini Sengupta,
New York Times, May 13, 2002

146. Hindu-based education, going strong, Robert Marquand, Christian
Science Monitor, Feb 16th, 2001

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Appendix H

Following the Money Trail

An Analysis of Charities Funded by the IDRF

Over the past 7 years, IDRF has disbursed more than $ 5 million for
development and relief work in India. This appendix analyses the
charities that the money has been disbursed for and the type of
activity that these charities are involved in.

The data has been compiled from the Annual Reports issued by the IDRF
which are published on its website [147]. The six annual reports (from
1994/95 to 2000/2001) detail the disbursement of $ 4.5 million of the
$ 5 million that it claims it gave to Indian development and relief
organizations during this period.

H.1 Classification of Organizations

In order to do the analysis of the funds disbursed, all IDRF grantees
listed in the annual reports have been classified according to their
ideology and according to the activities they are involved in.

Ideology: The organizations have been classified according to whether
they can be easily identified as an RSS-affiliate or a religious
organization. These classification category is listed in the third
column of the table below. The different categories are:

RSS-affiliated or ‘R’: These organizations, such as Sewa Bharati,
Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, are those that can be easily
identified as RSS-affiliated charities through their own literature or
other secondary sources.

Hindu/Jain religious organizations or ‘H’: These are organizations
that can be easily identified as having a Hindu or Jain religious
affiliation. These include organizations such as Yoga Satsanga Samiti,
and the Shanti Sewashram Jain Dharmartha Trust. Hindu organizations
involved in secular work are also included in this category.

Secular organizations or ‘S’: These organizations can be clearly
identified as having secular credentials, and include the Army Central
Welfare Fund, and well-known developmental NGO’s such as the Saath
Charitable Trust and Janpath/Janvikas in Ahmedabad.

Unknown: The third column is left blank in cases where it has been
difficult to obtain relevant information regarding the ideological
orientation of the organization in question. This category includes
organizations such as Makhan Lal Charitable Hospital Trust & Research
Institute in Delhi and Om Prakash Soni Charitable Trust, Jagraon,
Punjab.

Activities: The organizations have been classified according to the
main type of activity that they undertake, and this category is
indicated in the fourth column of the table below. In cases where one
NGO undertakes several types of work, the aim has been to classify it
according to its predominant activity. In other cases, where the IDRF
funds were given for a specific activity/project, the charity has been
categorized according to the activity/project funded. These categories
are listed in the fourth column and are:

Hinduization/Tribal/Educational or ‘e’: These organizations include
organizations such as the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram which work primarily
for Hinduizing the tribals, and the Saraswati Vidya Mandirs which
impart ‘Hindu’ Education to children. The two seemingly distinct
categories of tribal welfare and education are merged together because
many of the IDRF funded charities operate at the intersection of both.
An excellent example are the Ekal Vidyalays (One-Teacher-Schools),
which are primarily based in tribal areas with a goal of bringing the
tribals into the Hindu fold.

Religious or ‘rel’: These organizations are primarily focused on
religious or spiritual work, such as the Matrimandir Land Fund in
Auroville, Pondicherry.

Developmental or ‘d’: These organizations are those primarily involved
in economic development work, such as the Mahila Swavalamban Kendra in
Gujarat.

Welfare/ Health or ‘w’: These organizations are organized around
principles of welfare and service, such as the Swami Vivekananda
Medical Mission in Nagpur.

Relief or ‘r’: This category includes the various relief organizations
that were funded during such calamities as the Gujarat Earthquake,
2001 and the Orissa cyclone in 1999.
H.2 Listing of the IDRF funded Organizations

The following table lists the 184 different organizations funded by
IDRF that are available from its annual reports. The second column
lists the total amount of money the organization received during the
years for which the data is available. The third and fourth columns
list the category in which the particular organization is placed, as
per the definitions given above.

Organization Total Type Activity

Andhra Pradesh

Annapurnamma Vidyarthi Vasathi Gruham $500 R e
Association For The Care Of The Aged (Hyderabad, AP) $6,000 S w
Development & Welfare Association of the Blind (Nalgonda, AP) $8,400
S w
Grama Bharathi, Hyderabad, AP $26,530 R e
Jana Sankshema Samiti (Vijayawada, AP) $28,500 R r
K.B.C. Zila Parishad High School (Vijayawada, AP) $2,100 e
Keshava Seva Samithi (Hyderabad, AP) $49,825 R e
P.P.P.R. Abivrudhi Samskhema Sangam $6,300
Satya Vishnu Charitable Trust $8,250 H w
Sewa Bharathi (Hyderabad, AP) $3,560 R e
Smt. Misri Bai Kedia Charitable Trust (Hyderabad, AP)- for Education
in Rural Areas in Rajasthan $55,385 e
Sri Saraswati Vidya Peetham (Hyderabad, AP) $2,900 R e
Vaidehi Seva Samithi (Hyderabad, AP) $17,250 R e

Assam

Seva Bharati Purvanchal (Guwahati, Assam) $21,000 R e
Uttar Purbanchal Janajati Seva Samiti (Guwahati, Assam) $2,500 R e

Bihar

Vikas Bharati Bishnupur, District Gumla, Chhattisgarh $88,885 R e
Yodada Satsang Society $2,000 H rel
Gujarat
Lions Club of Mehsana (Mehsana, Gujarat) $33,190 S
Lokniketan Ratanpur $17,425 R e
Mahila Swavalamban Kendra (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) $24,475 R d
Manekben Punamchand Shantidas Trust $1,360
Muni Seva Ashram $1,500 H w
Sewa Bharati Gujarat (Rajkot, Gujarat) - For Rehabilitation of Victims
of Cyclone $30,000 R r
Shree Banaskantha Anjana Patel Kalawani Mandal (Palanpur, Gujarat)
$24,240 R

Haryana

Arpana Research & Charitable Trust (Karnal, Haryana) $2,350 H rel
Sri Sathya Sai Gramin Jagriti (Darwa, Haryana) $2,800 H d
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Shiksha Samiti (Simla, HP) $5,700 R e
Jan Kalyan Nyas, Dharamsala, HP $8,090
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu Kashmir Sahayata Samiti $10,100 R r
Sanjeevani Sharda Kendra, Bohri, Jammu , J&K $31,600 R e
Jharkhand
Birsa Seva Prakalp Bihar, Hazaribag, Jhharkhand (Bihar) $44,710 R e

Karnataka

Aid the Weaker Trust $1,500 S w
Atma Darshan Yogashram (Bangalore) $2,000 H rel
Bharateeya Shikshana Prasar Samiti $1,450 e
Center for Development of Advanced Computing $3,000 e
Hindu Seva Pratishthana (Bangalore, Karnatka) $30,655 R e
Keshava Smrithi Samvardhan Samithi(Mangalore) $12,950 R
Krishi Prayog Parivar (Bangalore, Karnatka) $14,640 R d
Mangala Sewa Samithi Trust (Mangalore, Karnataka) $9,500 R e
National Education Society of Karnataka (Bangalore) $8,775 S e
Nrityagram $1,500 S
Prabodhini Trust (Bangalore, Karnataka) $21,000 R e
Prajaka Seva Trust (Bangalore, Karnataka) $1,900
Rashtrotthana Parishat (Bangalore, Karnatka) $35,500 R d
Samskrit Bharathi (Bangalore, Karnataka) $31,850 R e
Sewa-in-Action, Bangalore, Karnataka $29,030 R w
Sri Chennakeshava Trikutachala, Banglore, Karnataka $7,730 H rel
Sri Kottal Basaveshwara Bharateeya Shikshana Samithi (Sedam,
Karnataka) $2,400 H e
Sri Rama Vithala Trust (Bangalore) $2,000 H rel
Vivekananda Girijana Kalyan Kendra(Mysore, Karnataka) $2,710 S d

Kerala

Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission (Mutil, Wayanad) $5,420 R w
Yogakshema Trust (Cochin, Kerala) $30,490 R w

Maharashtra

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (Mumbai) $3,615 R e
Anuradha Engineering College $1,550 e
Chhapra Gram Sahayak Samiti (Mumbai, Maharashtra) $3,800
Devi Ahilyabai Smarak Samiti (Nagpur, Maharashtra) $14,500 R e
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Vaidyakiya Pratishthan, Aurangabhad, MS
$74,730 R e
Educate the Children-India, Mumbai $49,050 S e
Eye Bank Coordination and Research Centre (Mumbai, Maharashtra)
$2,000 S w
Gopal Navjeevan Kendra $290 R e
International Centre for Cultural Studies (Nagpur, Maharashtra)
$4,000 R e
Jnana Prabodhini-Solapur Maharashtra $22,935 R e
Keshav Shrishti (Mumbai) $6,000 R e
Miraj Medical Center $2,800 R w
Shree Ganapati Devasthan, Janbhulpad $1,525 H rel
Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission, Nagpur $17,200 R w
Swa-Roopwardhinee $1,000 R e
Vanavasi Kalyan Kendra, Mumbai $36,280 R e
Vatsalya Trust (Mumbai) $3,000 H
Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh
Akhil Bharatiya Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram, Jashpurnagar, District
Jashpur, Chhatisgarh, MP $262,175 R e
Bhartiya Kushta Niwarak Sangh, Champa, Distrtict Janjgir, MP $26,860
R w
Chattisgarh Shabri Sewa Sansthan $9,000 R e
Deendayal Research Institute(Chitrakoot, MP) $19,450 R d
Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Piplani (Bhopal, MP) $2,200 R e
Sewa Bharati Madhyakshetra, Bhopal, MP $274,650 R e
Viklang Sewa Bharati (Jabalpur, MP) $3,000 R w

Delhi

Amar Jyoti Charitable Trust (Delhi) $2,860 S w
Bhao Rao Deoras Saraswati Vidya Mandir (NOIDA, UP)) $1,400 R e
Bharat Kalyan Pratishthan,New Delhi (in 2000/2001 for Uttar Purbanchal
Samiti, Haflong, Assam) $86,750 R e
Bharat Vikas Parishad (Delhi) [For Viklang Center, Paldi, in 1998/99]
$7,410 R w
Bharatiya Cattle Resource Development Foundation $30,355 d
Bhaurao Deoras Rashtriya Seva Nyas, New Delhi $72,310 R e
Ghasi Ram Charitable Trust (Delhi) $6,650
Makhan Lal Charitable Hospital Trust & Research Institute $63,500
w
Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad (Delhi) - for Kargil Relief $25,000 R r
Samskrit Bharati, New Delhi $21,335 R e
Sanatana Dharma Sabha Charities $430 R
Sewa Bharati (Delhi) (Sewa Dham) $74,880 R e
Sewa International (Delhi) - for Drought Relief & Rehabilitation in
Rajasthan. $51,330 R r
Shri Bhartu Ram Memorial Charitable Trust (Delhi) $40,000
Sri Aurobindo Education Society (Delhi) $44,165 H e

Orissa

ANANYA, Rourkela, Orissa $20,900 r
Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust - Utkal Branch (Dist. Cuttack,
Orissa) $24,775 S r
Orissa Dance Academy $1,500
Shri Shri Abhiram Anandashram Seva Sangh, Bhubaneswar, Orissa $42,520
H r
Sookruti, Bhubaneswar, Orissa $90,660 R r
Sri Aurobindo Progress Trust, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa $16,460 H e
Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Bhava Prachar $460 H r
Swami Bichitrananda Kalyan Ashram $6,000 H e
Uchabali High School, Bhubanaswar, Orissa $40,000 e
Vanavasi Seva Prakalpa, Kalahandi, Orissa $7,025 R e
Loksevak Yuva Mandal $5,000 d
Open Learning Systems $9,410 S d
Orissa Cyclone Rehabilitation Foundation $23,255 r
Ramakrishna Vivekananda Bhava $5,000 H r
Sri Aurobindo Srikshetra Trust $7,530 H e
Unayan $6,000 r
Utkal Bipanna Sahayata Samiti $37,560 R r
VAK Trust for Ichchapur School $4,200 H e

Pondicherry

Auroville--for Matrimandir and Auroville Land Fund $301,420 H rel
Sri Aurobindo Action (Pondicherry) $4,750 H rel
Sri Aurobindo Ashram/Matrimandir (Pondicherry) $2,500 H rel

Punjab

Bharat Seva Nyas (Chandigarh) $5,000
Om Prakash Soni Charitable Trust, Jagraon, District Ludhiana, Punjab
$34,950
Peedit Pariwar Sewa Samiti $650 R e
Shri Ram Shri Durga Mandir Charities $200 H rel

Rajasthan

Arya Samaj Bhadra (Hanumangarh, Rajasthan) $2,850 H rel
Bharoo Gram Sikhsha Vikas Samiti (Bharoo, Dist. Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan)
$2,410 R e
Bhartiya Jan Sewa Pratishan, Raati Taali, District Banswara, Rajasthan
$24,820 R e
Chaudhry Charan Singh Girlís Hostel (Sikar, Rajasthan) $2,675 e
Dayanand Mahila Shikshan Sansthan Samiti (Jhunjhunu) $19,275 H e
Dr. Ghasi Ram Verma Samaj Seva Samiti, Chirawa, District Jhunjhunu,
Rajasthan $9,005
Government Secondary School (Nibipura, Rajasthan) $1,450 S e
Grameen Mahila Shikshan Sansthan (Sikar, Rajasthan) $17,695 e
Gramotthan Vidyapeeth Didwana (Hanumangarh) $9,025 e
Jhunjhunu Zila Awasiya Kalyan Samiti (Jhunjhunu) $2,950
Kisan Chhatrawas Nawalgarh (Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan) $5,525 e
Mahatma Gandhi Kushta Ashram $1,100 w
Seva Bharati Rajasthan, (Jodhpur, Rajasthan) $13,000 R e
Sewa Bharati Rajasthan (Jaipur, Rajasthan) $8,490 R e
Sewa Sangam (Jaipur, Rajasthan) $6,000
Village Service Trust (Sardarshahar, Rajasthan) $1,450 S d

Tamil Nadu

Bharath Cultural Trust, Trichirappalli, TN $45,980 R
Grama Kovil Poojarigal Peravai (Chennai, TN) $2,250 R rel
Naya Jyoti Charities Trust (Chennai, TN) $14,700 R rel
Sevalaya (Chennai, TN) $6,550 R e
Sri P. N. Narayana Sastrigal Meru Trust (Chennai TN) $9,500 H rel
Sri Rama Dhanushkodi Abhaya Anchaneyar Seva Trust (Rameshwaram, TN)
$5,110 H rel
Swami Vivekananda Rural Development Society (Chennai) $82,290 R e
The Ayurvedic Trust (Coimbatore, TN) $2,410 H w
Unique Mountain Trust (Thiruvannamalai, TN) - for Arunachal $9,035 R
e
Vergal Charitable Trust (Chennai, TN) $11,500
Vivekananda Kendra and Rock Memorial (Kanyakumari) $74,885 R e
Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal
Devi Shringarmati Intermediate College (Dist. Azamgarh) $6,000 e
Dr. Ram Kumar Gayatri Devi Shiksha Association (Etah) $24,100 e
Dropadi Devi Saraswati Vidya Mandir $870 R e
Girivasi Vanavasi Sewa Prakalpa (Ghorawal, UP) $5,500 R e
Gurukul Prabhat Ashram $940 R e
Jeevan Dhara Rakt Foundation, Meerut, UP $45,930 R w
Mahamana Malvia Mission $290 R
Maharishi Valmiki Seva Sansthan (Naogarh, District Varanasi, UP)
$24,110 R e
Ramakrishna Mission Sevashram (Hardwar, UP) $13,310 H rel
Saraswati Shiksha Mandir $37,350 R e
Saraswati Vidya Mandir (Mawana, District Meerut, UP) $12,000 R e
Shanti Sewashram Jain Dharmartha Trust (Meerut, UP) $17,000 H rel
Shiksha Bharati, Hapur, UP $24,465 R e
Shri Bhagwat Mission Charitable Trust $800 H rel
Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir (Haridwar, UP) $9,700 H rel
Sri Ram Gram Vikas Samiti Nagauri, District Meerut, UP $85,635 e
Uttaranchal Daivi Apada Peedit Sahayata Samiti, Uttarkashi,
Uttaranchal $62,335 R w
Yog Satsang Samiti, Allahabad, UP $88,000 H rel

West Bengal

Bastuhara Sahayata Samiti (Calcutta, West Bengal) - For Rehabilitation
of Victims of Tornado $1,200 R r
Friends of Tribals Society (Calcutta, West Bengal) - For One-Teacher
School Project in Orissa $14,110 R e
Lokenath Divine Life Mission (Calcutta, West Bengal) $3,300 H rel
Manav Seva Pratisthan $1,200
Oral School for Deaf Children $1,000 S d
Voice of People (24 Paraganas, West Bengal) $2,720 S d
Army
Army Central Welfare Fund - for Rehabilitation of Kargil Victims
$141,600 S r

Gujarat Earthquake

Anoopam Mission, Morgi, Dist. Anand, Gujarat $25,530 H r
BAPS Swaminarayan Gujarat $10,000 H r
JanPath/JanVikas Ahmedabad $10,000 S r
Saath Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad $10,000 S r
Sadhu Vaswani Mission, Pune $25,265 H r
Sewa Bharati Gujarat, Ahmedabad (for two villages and several schools)
$360,000 R e
Sheth Vakhtawarmal Deopural Charitable Trust, Gujarat $10,000 r
Shree 5 Navtanpuri Dham, Jamnagar, Gujarat (for reconstruction of
schools) $31,580 H e
Shri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Rajkot, Gujarat $10,000 H r
Overseas

Bochasanwasi Swaminarayan Sanstha (New York, USA) $5,000 H rel
Chinmaya Mission (Orlando/Cassellberry, Florida) $18,000 R rel
Hindu Society Of Central Florida (Casselberry, FL, USA) $2,500 H rel
Hindu Students Council (Boston, MA, USA) $3,000 R rel
Medi-Send International, Dallas TX, USA $7,500 S w
VHP of America (USA) - for Support-A-Child Project $3,500 R rel
Hindu Society of Ottawa-Carleton Inc, Kanata, Canada $29,200 H rel

Total Listed $4,467,605

Not Listed but acknowledged (donations of less than $2,000 each)
$77,680
Not Listed NOT acknowledged (Missing..) $486,885
Total disbursements claimed $5,032,170

Figure 4 – Amounts Distributed To Charities By IDRF

* The funds that appear in bold in the second column are to donor
designated charities.

H.3 Types of Organizations Funded by IDRF

Of the total of $ 4,467,605 disbursements accounted for in the above
table, a little over a quarter are donor-designated funds. Donor
designated funds are those monies that are directed to a specific
charity by the donor and thus are funds that IDRF has no control over
vis a vis its disbursement. Therefore, only $ 3.26 million is under
the direct control of IDRF and is disbursed to charities identified
solely by it.

The following table shows the break-up by ideology of the
organizations directly designated by the IDRF.

Ideology Total Money %age
Sangh (R) $2,684,915 82.4%
Religious (H) $264,660 8.1%
Secular (S) $70,620 2.2%
Unknown $239,785 7.4%
Total $3,259,980 100%

Figure 5 – Amounts Distributed Based on Ideology

Sangh-affiliated organizations account for a whopping 80% or more of
the total disbursed at the discretion of the IDRF. If we are to take
the two categories of Sangh and Hindu Religious organizations
together, it becomes clear that in excess of 90% of IDRF’s funds were
given to sectarian religious organizations. In contrast, only 10% of
the donor-designated funds were earmarked for Sangh charities. These
figures of 80% (Sangh) and 90% (Sangh+Hindu religious) would probably
be larger but for the “Unknown” category that accounts for 7%.

Similarly, the table below shows the activities that are being most
promoted by IDRF’s beneficiaries.

Activity Total Money %age
Ed/ Tribal/ Cultural (e) $2,250,685 69.0%
Religious (rel) $58,890 1.8%
Developmental (d) $128,330 3.9%
Welfare/ Health (w) $247,935 7.6%
Relief (r) $494,730 15.2%
Unknown $79,410 2.4%
Total $3,259,980 100%

Figure 6 – Amounts Distributed Based on Activities

Sid Harth

unread,
Sep 8, 2009, 10:51:20 PM9/8/09
to
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_don-t-follow-west-blindly-mohan-bhagwat_1288423

Don't follow West blindly: Mohan Bhagwat

DNATuesday, September 8, 2009 9:11 IST

Ahmedabad: Is the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) moving away from
its longstanding image of Hindu nationalist organisation? The question
sprang up in the minds of many after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat talked
about creating a platform for business leaders from various community
and religion for economic growth -- a clear indication that the
organisation is now focussing on the overall development of the
country. Bhagwat was talking at a meeting held at Pranlal Bhogilal's
bungalow in Gandhigram, on Monday.

On his second day in the city, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met religious
leaders, media house representatives and leading industrialists of
Gujarat. He also visited the family members of martyr Major Rishikesh
Ramani. Bhagwat also visited Pramukh Swami Maharaj at Bochasanwasi
Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha temple in Shahibaug.

He urged industrialists not to follow the western model blindly. "We
must adopt only that which is necessary and beneficial for our country
and its people," said Bhagwat in the meeting.

In response to this, industrialist talked about infrastructure built
in Gujarat. "The state offers an environment conducive to the growth
of industries. This model should be replicated in other states too for
the overall development of the country," said one of the
industrialists present in the meeting.

Another industrialist suggested that the activities of RSS should be
made public. "RSS has undertaken so many activities, but people are
not aware of any," he said.

While emphasising on the historical importance of ayurveda and other
traditional disciplines, he said, "Ayurveda is widely accepted in
western parts of the world, but India is yet to avail its benefit.
It's time we start making most of our traditional practices."

Around 20 honchos including host Pranlal Bhogilal, Gautam Adani of
Adani Group, Sudhir Mehta of Torrent Group, Sanjay Lalbhai of Arvind,
Rajesh Gandhi of Vadilal, Jayanti Patel of Meghmani Group, Rupesh Shah
of GCCI, Rajendra Shah of Shah Alloys, Sunil Parekh from Zydus Group,
Mitesh Shroff of Excel Group and Atul Shroff from Vadodara attended
the meeting.

During his visit to late Major Rishikesh Ramani's house, Bhagwat met
his father Vallabhbhai Ramani. "Bhagwatji visited us and offered his
condolence. He also lauded Rishikesh for his sacrifice." The RSS chief
then paid a visit to Sanyas Ashram on Ashram Road and met its head
Nirvan Pithadhishwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishwadevanand
Maharaj. "He spent nearly 45 minutes here. We discussed about
religious affairs and ancient Indian traditions and issues like
terrorism," said Swami Vishwadevanand Maharaj.

Copyright permission mandatory to republish this article.
For reprint rights click here

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 9, 2009, 2:33:34 AM9/9/09
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http://www.timesnow.tv/SIT-probe-in-Sohrabuddin-case/articleshow/4326855.cms

SIT probe in Sohrabuddin case?

9 Sep 2009, 0854 hrs IST

After being embarrassed over the court ruling in the Ishrat Jahan
case, on Wednesday (September 9), the Narendra Modi government could
come under fire again, as the Supreme Court gears up to hear the
Sohrabuddin encounter case.

The Narendra Modi led government is opposed tooth and nail to the
Special Investigative Team (SIT) headed by former top cop RK Raghavan,
which is probing the Sohrabuddin encounter case.

The Gujarat government had earlier told the highest court that the SIT
was not of any use and that it's investigations in the entire case
were tardy. But Sohrabuddin's counsel has been pressing for the SIT to
intervene, by contending that the state CID is deliberately impeding
investigations in the case.

Sohrabuddin was shot dead by the Gujarat police on the outskirts of
Ahmedabad in November 2005. It was alleged that his wife and another
witnesses Tulsiram Prajapati were also killed by the police to destroy
evidence in the case. Soon after, Sohrabuddins wife Kausar Bi also
went missing.

Both Sohrabuddin and his wife were last seen in a farm house on the
outskirts of Gujarat, where both were alleged to have been eliminated
by the Gujarat Police. Then a year later, a key witness in the case
and Sohrabuddin's friend Tulsiram Prajapati was also found murdered.
The case was then handed over to IPS officer Geeta Johri who filed her
interim report in December 2006. Johri termed the encounter as fake.

Johri's report led to the arrest of IPS officer DG Vanzara and other
officers like Raj Pandian and Rajasthan top cop MN Dinesh- all of whom
were alleged by Johri to have been involved in the killings.

Sohrabuddin's brother Rubabuddin filed a petition in the Supreme Court
and the case is still in the court. Infact in August this year, the
Gujarat government was asked to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to
Sohrabuddin's kin.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 9, 2009, 3:23:58 AM9/9/09
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http://www.indianexpress.com/news/why-gujarat-cm-is-now-narendra-lowkey-modi/513485/

Why Gujarat CM is now Narendra Low-Key Modi
Vandita Mishra

Posted: Sunday , Sep 06, 2009 at 0337 hrs

Ahmedabad:

Vallata paani chhe (the waters are receding). As Gujarat gears up for
seven Assembly by-polls next Thursday, this is the phrase being spoken
and heard in the political corridors of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.

When the war within the BJP is the dominant theme in Delhi, the
refrain in Gujarat is that the party’s brightest star Narendra Modi
may just be losing a bit of his lustre.

Consider these:

n Unlike in the countdown to the Lok Sabha elections, when Modi
publicly staked claim to at least 21 seats in his state — the BJP won
15 — no figure is being touted by him or by the Gujarat BJP on his
behalf, even to boost the morale of party workers this time. With six
of the seven seats headed to the hustings held by the Congress, the
official BJP line is that it is a low-stakes election for the ruling
party.

All indications are that Modi may not even campaign. “So far, it (Modi
going to campaign) is not part of the design”, says state BJP
president Purshottam Rupala. “In Assembly by-polls, it is generally
left to the local leaders to ask for campaigners,” he says. Modi’s
office declined several requests for an interview.

But the Opposition sees his low profile as low confidence. They recall
his high-voltage campaign for a much smaller electoral test — the
Ahmedabad municipal polls in 2005 — to win a corporation held by the
Congress but seen to be ripe for the BJP’s picking.

Says Leader of Opposition Congress Shaktisinh Gohil, “When bypolls
take place, it’s always the ruling party that is on test. Modi is
attempting to play down their importance because for the first time,
he is placed in unfavourable circumstances — both vis a vis the BJP
crisis in Delhi and in Gujarat.”

•The strategy for the Assembly by-polls is in sharp contrast to the
upping of the stakes by the BJP in the more recent Junagadh
corporation election held in July which it lost. Though Modi stayed
away from Junagadh too, the BJP deployed three “stalwart” candidates
in the corporation fray: Bhavnaben Chikhalia, former Union Minister;
former MP Mohanbhai Patel, and sitting Junagadh MLA Mahendra Mashroo.

Almost the entire Modi cabinet camped at Junagadh and a Rs 600-crore
package was announced on poll-eve for the region in which Junagadh
falls. To win the election in a city with a significant Muslim
population — estimated at over 20 per cent — for the first time ever,
the BJP fielded Muslim candidates.

The BJP plays down the loss in Junagadh. “Does anyone know who won the
last corporation polls in Kolkata, or Bangalore, or Pune?” asks Amit
Shah, minister of state for Home and a key Modi aide. But its defeat
has provided a crucial leg-up to the long sagging Congress energies in
the state.

“The Congress can replicate the Junagadh victory elsewhere in Gujarat
if it implements the strategy of micro-level social engineering we
followed there”, boasts Nishit Vyas, general-secretary in the Gujarat
Congress, one of the three deputed to oversee the Junagadh polls. In
the 51-member corporation, the BJP went down from 31 to 21 while the
Congress gained from 15 to 29.

• Even results of cooperative elections are being flaunted by one and
rationalised by the other. The Congress won the elections to the Amul
cooperative at Anand held in July. Even though the Congress has
traditionally controlled most of the state cooperatives — it was
holding Amul as well — it’s touting this win. “The BJP was not able to
wrest Amul”, says Gohil, “despite the fact that Amit Shah personally
monitored the campaign.” Counters Shah, “Anand and Kheda have been
traditionally Congress districts and our loss margins have come
down.”

• For Modi-baiters as well as Modi-believers — but much more for the
latter — Modi’s selection of Bhavsinh Rathor as a contestant in the LS
elections and then once again in the upcoming Assembly by-polls after
Rathor lost the LS polls, is a turning point of sorts.

Rathor, the sitting Congress MLA in Patan, switched over to the BJP
just before the LS polls, and then from the BJP platform announced his
openness to a better bargain from the Congress. Convicted in a
narcotics smuggling case, he has spent a few years in a Kerala jail.

Rathor’s repeat candidature in the impending by-polls is being read as
Modi’s acknowledgement of his own slipping appeal, and therefore his
need to rely on Rathor-style “winnability”.

• The recent hooch tragedy in Gujarat which claimed over 130 lives —
and the political response to it — is also seen to have stoked
perceptions of a fumbling administration slowed down by eight years of
incumbency. “We have brought in a stricter law, and set up a
commission to reform the Act”, says Amit Shah. But Congress leaders
have been quick to seize on Modi’s silence. “He did not visit the
affected areas, not even his own constituency of Maninagar”, says
Gohil. The Assembly was in session, he points out, but Modi did not
speak on the tragedy in the House.

While Modi has never been an active presence in the Assembly — for
instance, breaking the Gujarat convention of the chief minister
hearing out the leader of opposition when he speaks in the House — his
unbroken silence this time is being read more as a sign of his
political discomfort.

• The 2002 riots probe and the Special Investigation Team — working
under the Supreme Court — sit like the proverbial elephant in his
room, especially after the Supreme Court allowed the SIT to probe
complaints against the Chief Minister.

• Officially, the Congress party has been evasive on the Modi
government’s ban on Jaswant Singh’s book for its alleged denigration
of Sardar Patel. But, in private, Congress leaders describe the rush
to ban — without even a cursory detailing of the reasons, on account
of which the High Court struck down the ban yesterday — as Modi’s
attempt to woo the powerful community back into the BJP fold and to
reconstruct his fragmenting political support around an emotive and
overriding theme.

While the so-called Patel uprising against Modi made much noise but
delivered little in the Assembly polls in 2007, analyses of the 2009
Lok Sabha results have shown the movement of a significant section of
the community’s vote away from the BJP. “There has been a swing in the
Patel vote for the Congress”, claims state Congress president Sidharth
Patel. “The shift has begun,” he claims.

Comments (14) |

Most of media is sold media

By: psudo | 07-Sep-2009

As was expected to come in eye of "secular" media houses we get an
article like this. Pity that these days Modi dose not give them much
to write about.

MODI THE GUJARAT BUTCHER

By: Indian | 07-Sep-2009

HIS FACE IS FULL OF BLOOD STAINES OF INNOCENTS.

lesson for terrost relegion

By: real indian | 07-Sep-2009

yes .he is the one man who give correct lesson to terrorist relegion
which they deserved..if all CM follwed his foot path..there will no
mumbai attack or delhi blast..the terror relegion will 100 times
before blasting indian city...he is hero of real indians

Re

By: Ind | 07-Sep-2009


Yeah, the terrorist was pregnant to 5 year olds. The butchery no
matter what the reason cannot be condoned, similar to the 1984 riots.
People like you who support these atrocities are the real enemies of
India. Its people like you who masquerade as patriots that need to be
eradicated.

Why Gujarat CM is now Narendra Low-Key Modi

By: ANIL | 07-Sep-2009

Author has no idea whatsoever of Gujarat's politics and Modi's
popularity. He is just bluffing- to get attention. Why he is not
talking about development happened in last 5 years? Why he is not
talking of Communal harmony seen during Modi's regime. Why he is not
aware that Congress is virtully non existent in Gujarat. Lok Sabha
election is based on national issues and in spite congress wave
thorugh out country, BJP has won 60% seats
Need more competant people in Journalism to save India's image!
By: Raman | 07-Sep-2009 Reply | Forward
I don't make out the contention of the 'journalist' except to show
that how incompetent and salable stuff our journalists/media has
become! Why our politics and media is full of good for nothing people?
Time for the bright youngsters to consider media as also a profession
apart from Science, law, IT, Engg, Medicine, economics/commerce and
IAS because the current crop of good for nothing incompetent guys have
also become corrupt and acting like some party spokesman for money! To
the sake of nation and image we need real journalists with some
commitment and competence which is completely lacking in the current
breed. Entering journalism may not be as bad as that of politics! It
is really challenging to bring real news rather than writing a bunch
of wishful thinking stuff like the current article.

Low key elction

By: R.S Gadasalli | 06-Sep-2009

Dear Sir,It looks like the writer is desperate to write some thing
about the popular CM to get noticed! These are all congress held
seats, if the congress wins, that is fine, if they lose couple, that
is good for modi. It is a win win situation for the bjp.people know
that the hundred days of congress has done nothing. more people are
getting killed, by naxalites, pakistan is playing cat and mouse with
them, economy is not good. The bjp will do well.

Kangressi

By: Chachu | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 9:30:21 AM

reporter looks like another kangressi idiot!

Modi Biased

By: Arun | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 7:26:25 AM

small submission if Modi pisses, u people measure and pls report
whether there is an increse or decrease in quantity and why????feel
pity for u pety journalists.I am not from Gujrat but see the dev. when
I use to come there. You know, on whose lap your editor is sleeping,
those bus.... have and ruling the country for more than 50 yrs and we
are 50 yrs behind those countries got their independent during ours.
why? If you are so concerned , report the wealth accumulated by saint
fake Gandhis, congressi ministers and babus. Some time back, there was
an article, great Jagajivan Babu had no money to buy a train ticket to
go Delhi for taking oath, but today his legal heir , our beloved
speaker is worth 1000 crores un officialy. Report about the trusts
whose lifetime chairman are the Gandhis and their activities.
Disagree

By: H Rao | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 6:21:32 AM

Ms Mishra, Bogus analysis !

Have something better to do

By: Cheerful Indian | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 6:15:37 AM

Vandita Mishra is on a favourite pseudo-secular passtime - Modi
bashing. Find something better to do, Vandita. You are boring us. The
article lacks substance. Better is to go to Hyderabad and cover the
fight there. Leave Gujarat

Valta Paani Che - BJP waters in Gujarat and in the county are
receding

By: Divyesh Raythatha | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 6:11:10 AM

A very thoughtful, interesting article by Vandita Mishra. There are
various reasons why Narendra Modi is performing at low key level.
Severe defeat in Loksabha elections, no impact of his public meetings
which resulted in most BJP candidates losing elections, his arrogant
and abusive language in public meetings, BJP Chintan Bethak blamed
Modi-Advani-Jaitley trio for the defeat and projection of PM
candidates for 2009 and 2014, heavy loss in Junagadh Municipal
Corporation election, chaos in central leadership in BJP, High Court
revoking order of ban on Jaswant's Book, internal problems in state
BJP, crime and corruption rise in the state, no safety of women in
Gujarat, frequent cuts in water and electricity in urban and rural
areas, "Latthaa Kand" - alarming death toll of 135, and most
dangerous, the hanging sword of SIT investigations of violation of
human riots during Gujarat riots of 2002, these all have depressed BJP
guys in Gujarat including CM and hence his low-key profile.

By: Boby Mehta | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 4:48:36 AM

So, we are back to Modi bashing.

Hard to digest

By: Ashish | Sunday , 6 Sep '09 4:17:40 AM

Indian media finds it hard to digest someone like Modi as a
politicians, since he does not panders to them. Moreover he is unlike
other politicians who are busy filling coffers and promoting their
extended family overtime..

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 12:45:16 PM9/9/09
to
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Ishrats-family-demands-stringent-punishment-for-guilty-cops/514485/

Ishrat's family demands stringent punishment for guilty cops
Agencies

Posted: Sep 08, 2009 at 1745 hrs IST

Ahmedabad The mother of Ishrat Jahan, who was allegedly killed in a
fake encounter by Gujarat Police in 2004, demanded stringent
punishment to all those involved in the killing of her daughter.

A day after her daughter was absolved of the charges by an Ahmedabad
metropolitan magistrate, Shamima Jahan alleged that Ishrat, a student
of Mumbai's Khalsa College, was eliminated as part of a 'cold blooded
conspiracy' by police.

Right from Mumbra Police, who picked up Ishrat from her home, to their
counterparts in Ahmedabad, who 'killed her in cold blood', everyone
did it for publicity, she alleged.

Shamima told the news conference that the career of her other children
got ruined as their family was ostracised.

"I cannot explain the trauma we had to undergo (because of the stigma
of being associated with a terrorist). My other children wanted to
pursue their studies but could not," she said.

"We stand vindicated. We had known from the very beginning that Ishrat
is innocent and that the police killed her as part of a well-hatched
conspiracy. She loved her country like anybody else," Ishrat's sister
Mushrat said.

"We want all those responsible for bringing upon us the tragedy to get
the most stringent of punishments," Shamima said, adding the family
would not at least have to live in ignominy although a deep sense of
loss will be always there.

They said they might explore 'legal options' to seek action against
the perpetrators, but did not elaborate. In his report on Monday,
metropolitan magistrate S P Tamang had absolved Ishrat of the charge
of having links with Lashker-e-Taiba and held that several senior
police officers were involved in the 'fake' encounter in which she
along with three others were felled.

He charged these officers with having killed the four in alleged fake
encounter to secure promotions and appreciation of Chief Minister
Narendra Modi.

The police had claimed the four were killed in an encounter while
plotting to kill Modi.

Comments - 49

Hang Ishrat's family

by Hardeep Singh Bhambra on 09 Sep 2009

Hang Ishrats family also for providing shelter to terrorists. Only by
using a heavy hand can we purge islamic Facism from our nation. We
cannot be complacent and fight each other as we did earlier. Just 1
Prithviraj Chauhan could beat the islamic radicals. The marathas also
nearly beat abdali, the only reason, we could not crush islamic facism
then was because as a nation we were divided. We again stand at cross
roads by voting terrorist loving congressis. its high time we all
Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians stand up against Islamic facism
and annhilate India's enemies

ITS Election Time in Mahrashtra etc

by Radhey Gupta on 09 Sep 2009

Dear Commentators, i would like to ask one thing, In a field of
100Acres, if you try to ignore 85% of the field

COPS Err everywhere...

by Indian Civic on 09 Sep 2009

Can anybody give statistic of the number of deaths in police station,
police raping the \women, police shooting, police third degree
treatment of suspicions. Condemn these honestly from ur heart all of
the above. Dont bring in the religion. Its going to haunt u,
seriously.The same secular parties now playing dangerously with
religious card for their mileage.

Have nations gone crazy?

by SEN GUPTA on 09 Sep 2009

Russia- Putin has vowed to put down the chechan islamic militants.Sent
secret missions to britain for national integrity finished the chechan
militia and their supporters.China- With iron fist put down the Uighur
islamic militia who they felt responsible for riotsUSA- Hundreds of
muslims held indefinitely in Guantanamo bay cuba without right to
public courtSaudi Arabia- Hundred of islamists held as they are
suspected of terrorism without trial.France- Riots happen as french
police target unruly law breaking minority muslimsEngland: Muslims
held plannning transatlantic attacksAfghanisthan/ Pakisthan: Daily
drone bombing to eliminate taliban.The world has a new dangerous
problem:Global self sacrificIng terrorism. The courts are built in a
way that the law abiding SELF LIFE LOVING innocent citizen should not
be punished.However if one assumes this proposition to suicidal
terrorists, it would be disastrous, like the mumbai massacre.This
countries have not lost their minds

Fake Encounters?

by Sunil on 09 Sep 2009

Can any one give correct identification of all the four killed in the
encournter? I am still confused as two are said to be Pakistani
Nationals? Are these Pakistani Nationals legally present in India?
What is the relation or busimess concern these four were sharing that
they have to move as group of four? Please do exhaustive reporting.

Social Justice Must be done to all regardless of religious belief.

by aqmamin on 09 Sep 2009

In June 2004, the DCB of Ahmadebad Police, killed Ishrat Jahan girl
was killed with three others in a fake encounter. Justice Kalpesh is
investigating the case. Shaminah the mother of the 19 year old killed
has sought CBI investigation. She is asking for compensation for the
fake encounter. This is a second case after Sohrabuddin encounter case
in which the court has ordered investigations into the veracity of
encounter carried out by the Gujarat police Mukul Sinha representing
Jamina Jahan said, Ishraf travelling with Javed and two others, in an
Indica car with a Mahrashtra Registration number, was gunned down at
Kotapur. D.G.Vanzara, Rajkumar Pandian, and Narendra Amin were the
officers involved in the encounter. Unless social justice is done to
all whether they are majority or minority in India a State like
Gujarat is sure to go through a lot of tests by one True Almighty Lord
of the Worlds. Modi will come to realise this. A terrorist is an
inhuman animal regardless of his faith

Getting rid of innocents.

by richard on 09 Sep 2009

Now I know why people of India are losing their faith in democracy.
The innocent are made to pay the price to make the powerful more
powerful. If we are unable to stop these leaders now, they will come
after our heads saying they found two horns over it.

the Truth

by Indian on 09 Sep 2009

Media families hand in glove with Sonia govt to get advertisements

Fake encounter a necessity

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

First of all congress grandstanding and media ignorance aside.. the
two states which lead the chart of encounters are congress and those
states are maharashtra and andhra both congress ruled. Revulsion for
encounters fake or otherwise aide btu fact is our constitution is so
warped than no mafia or terrist gets punished. see how much time is
court taking even in case of qasab who was filmed killing people in
borad daylight..When history sheeters like sohrabuddin keep fooling
indian judiciary time and again what option does a policemen have who
risks his life to nab these crinals only to see court releasing
them ..Just last month a terrorist was caught in andhra and it was
found he was nabebd earlier too but court let him go.. How long this
game will continue..Fact is in 99.999999999999999999% of case
encounter happens of either some mafia or some terroist ., very rarely
innocent people get killed.. tears of people aside but this girl israt
jehan was a let memmber

Equality in Justice ?

by Banido on 09 Sep 2009

It is good to see Ishrat's family getting justice they deserve in a
secular democracy. But, when is the last time in our leftist media we
heard of Muslim terrorists being caught, prosecuted and convicted for
atrocities against Kasmhiri Hindus or Bangladeshi Hindus or Sikh
Pakistanis ? We know they exist all around us. The Brits just
prosecuted a few.In our own country - what about justice to the
hundreds who died in Mumbai blasts in the early nineties, the Delhi
blasts a few years ago, the Mumbai carnage of last year ? What about
justice to people no matter what their faith is ? The 3unuch
politicians are so scared they will face minority backlash they dare
not hang a convicted terrorist of attacking our own Parliament! Such
is the sorry state of affairs in our country.When justice is doled out
based on whether you are a minority or a majority - it becomes no
justice at all.

every state does fake encounter and rightly so

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

Maharashtra and Andhra both congress ruled state lead the number of
encounter chart.. Guj is nowhere at the top yet we hear cases from guj
pursued while others do not get the scrutiny.. I for one fully support
ellimination of LEt member in every which way.. We certainly do not
watn yet another afzal gurur episode where congress gets chance to
unroll red carpet for the terrorist

Truth be told ...

by Manoj on 09 Sep 2009

Nothing is in black and white. Its true that this was a fake
encounter. Its also true that the 2 persons in the group have not been
identified and most probably gone to do a reccee for a terrorist
strike. This girl was knowingly or unknowingly used as cover. With
such dangerous guys giving her company, nothing is impossible. Having
said that, if the police officer were gunned down just because for
their own promotion and rewards, law should take its course. But that
should not let people to assist terrorist activities. Otherwise this
crap will continue to happen.

Would you call them Muslim-Terrorist?

by Ahmed on 09 Sep 2009

Enough is enough. The Supreme Court (SC) should get involved now.
Arrest MODI and all liar RSS leaders and hung them. Declare RSS as
Hindu terrorist org. Enough is enough. The bustard Govt and law of the
country only know to book Muslim under TADA and hung them. When Law of
the Land does not provide justice to Muslim-citizens then would it be
unfair if Muslim-citizens take the law in their own hand to provide
justice to Muslim-citizens? Would you call them Muslim-Terrorist?

Modi should resign

by Shashi on 09 Sep 2009

If Modi has a sense of shame he should resign, but he hasnt and will
not.He can just bark and kill innocents.

bring back POTA

by Preetam on 09 Sep 2009

This probe report is politically motivated and Gujrat Govt has rightly
decided to challenge it in High Court.Still the report does nt say She
or her accomplices were not terrorists. Gujrat Police acted on tips
from Central Intelligences agencies who had put all of these
terrorists under surveileence. Infact, Central Govt had even submitted
affidavits in the court to this effect.If at all it is an extra
judicial killing the best way is to Bring back POTA /TADA. India's
laws are too weak, judiciary overburdened and police ill euipped and
under trained.Those who are demeaning or demoninzing RSS or MOdi must
change thier own attitude and become true indians first and muslims
later.Average hindu is far more fair minded than an average muslim
thats why BJP is only in Gujrat.It is in hands of muslims that how
many Modis they want.If you read worldwide news these people should
hang their heads in shame how many countires doubt muslims. Are they
all biased like Modis ?

Cost of Islam

by Rahul on 09 Sep 2009

Has anyone done a calculation on the cost the worldwide human
community is spending on security (In our airports, public places,
train stations) etc due to Islamic terrorism ? I would say the amount
is presently running into billions of dollars each day. This is what
happens when religions believe (incorrectly offcourse) that they have
a monopoly on God. Amazing how much the world is spending to prevent
crazed Islamists from blowing everything up.

Shame on RSS/BJP/VHP'S HINDUTVA ::MODI HAS BECOME MANEATER

by INDIAN HISTORIAN on 09 Sep 2009

THOSE WHO ARE SUPPORTING MODI ARE INSANE AND HAVE NO MINIMUM LEVEL OF
CIVILZATION.THE INDIA HINDU HAVE BEEN MISLEAD BY RSS AND DALITS HAVE
BEEN ABUSED AND MISUSED TO KILL MUSLIMS, WHEN IT COMES TO POWER
SHARING DALITS/BC'S HAVE BEEN RUTHLESSLY KNOCKED OUT LIKE, KALYAN,
UMA, BANGARU.IT IS RSS WHICH BELIEVES IN SANATAN DHARMA WHEREIN
BRAHMINS GET THE PRESEDENCE IN CASTE SYSTEM AND DALITS ARE FOREVER
SUPPRESSED.INSTEAD OF KILLING MUSLIMS RSS SHOULD HAVE WORKED TO UPLIFT
DALITS, ABOLISH PROSTITUATION FROM NEAR PILGRIM CENTRES, PROHIBIT NUDE
WORSHIP ETC.THE RSS HAS ALWAYS BEEN TRAITOR, IT CONNIVED WITH
BRITISHERS AND LEFT THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE.SAWARKAR AND VAJPAYEE WERE
APPROVERS, THEY GOT RELAESED FROM JAIL AND OTHERS WERE IMPRISONED.THE
BUNCH OF LIARS DISTORT THE FACTS AND HISTORY JUST TO ESTABILISH
BRAHMIN SUPREMACY OVER OTHER CASTES.ADVANI WAS SHOWN THE DOOR JUST
BECAUSE HE WAS NON BRAHMIN.JUST SEE MANOHAR JOSHI, BEING BRAHMIN WILL
BE PROJECTED AS NEXT PM .

be reasonable

by Geeta Joshi on 09 Sep 2009

No need to spew ill feelings like this and add oil to fire. While all
such bad incidents are as deplorable to Hindus as any one else, we
must not take leave of our senses and resort to something illogical. I
condemn what happened to ishrat as a woman, as a human being, as a
believer in our law. But this is a judicial matter, let us wait for
law to take its own course, we still are Ok on that front, thank god.
No hysterics, please till we get some thing to hear from the probes to
follow. In the meantime, let us put our heads together like what saint
Kabir tried and see if we can work something out to bring harmony
among all in India. We must accept realities and reorganise our lives
accordingly like sane adults. FYI: RSS, BJP aim at Hindus' unuty not
necessarily against any one else. Like you Muslims, the Brahmins too,
have no control over their birth. So, why to take that hate route?

DONT BRING DALIT CARD HERE...

by Nitin on 09 Sep 2009

Dont bring Dalit card here. It has nothing to do with this issue.
There are now Dalit's who take undue benefits out of unconstitutional
reservation system. Its definitely bad what happened here but bringing
Dalit card is INSANE.Jai Hind.

Ishrat Jahan innocency

by Shaik on 09 Sep 2009

God is great. It is HE who knows best and better than anyone else.
Time will tell more about the attocrities and injustice. The guilty
should be punished (the true one) be it a terrorist or any one, be it
a hindu or muslim...for our country's progress, I think we must all
move forward as Indians first than anyother name...for this to happen
we have to shift our pyaradim to real equality, justice and fair
administration. Hate will increase onlyhate..it changes its face and
comes as another face..Not all muslims are terrorist ans similarly not
all hindus are like MODI..both should accept that for our future to be
best, we need to work together and closer..let the system be
fair ....

Wake up

by Once Indian on 09 Sep 2009

WHAT STUPID PEOPLE INDIANS ARE WHO ELECTED THIS CORRUPT LEADERS WHO
WOULD GO TO ANY EXTENT TO ACHIVE THE POWER, THESE B..STRDS ARE THE
REAL TERRORISTS WHO Keep targeting Minorities and when they get no
justice from the DUMB government, the only option left for them is to
take revenge and then they are branded as Terrorists, The real
terrorists are the STUPID politicians and corrupt Police, ALL THOSE
CORRUPT B..STRDS SHOULD BE CASTRATED AND HANGED UPSIDE DOWN IN FRONT
OF PUBLIC FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE..I PRAY THAT THEY LEAD A DOGS
LIFEWAKE UP YOUNGER GENERATION, DON'T LET YOUR COUNTRY TO DOGS..

An alleged criminal has a right to be told of the charges and to
defend in a court of law

by Hary Nambiar on 09 Sep 2009

Loss of life is tragic. It breaks the heart to learn that one so young
has been taken away and it is a matter of concern for everyone.
Religious belief or political opinion should not blind anyone from
recognizing the difficult time leading to her tragic death. I
visualize a fawn trying to escape from a carnivorous predator, but
finally being pounced upon. That is what she was at the tragic end of
her life. If it was the result of a deliberate act there is no excuse
for anyone involved. An alleged criminal has the right to be told what
he or she is charged with and given an opportunity, in a court of law,
to defend. The role of police is limited to apprehending the alleged
criminal. It is for the court to determine guilt or innocence. I do
recognize the fact that innocent people do get caught up with turn of
events upon which they have no control. If someone is guilty, the
Court would see it and the guilty will be severely punished.

Guilty Cops

by Anant on 09 Sep 2009

In India ordinay people cry out for justice but it is a cry in
wilderness. Rogue politicians like Rajiv Gandhi,Tytler,Advani and Modi
use these stupid cops for their own murderous agendas. Cops are only
holding the guns but the finger on the trigger is of politicians.
India must learn soon that prejudices against the minorities and
denying them their rights will lead India in to a disaster. Atrocities
on innocent Sikhs , Christians or muslims is a prescription for
India's demise. No country has or will prosper if all its citizens
don't enjoy equal rights. Not punishing people like Advani,Tytler and
Modi is denying justice to the grieved. As a matter of facts these
politicians should be thoroughly investigated and punished.
Unfortunately most people of India are uneducated and these
politicians take advantage of their low intelligence and exploit their
prejudices against each other. These are short sighted policies .
Hitler tried it and it ended up in a world war.

Dont weep for Equal rights ,all the people in India have equal rights

by rak on 09 Sep 2009

What u talking abt rubbish.what equal rights you dont have in
India.you Muslim guys have separate law.Nowhere in world have separate
law .It is only in India.You guys are enjoying Minority
status.everything under democracy.You dont want study that is not
problem of Govt and other orgnization.WHoever studied and become
something in India .You can only bark nothing can do for country.Only
fight for your own selfishness like we are not getting this we are not
getting reservaation ,we are not getting money from govt.Nowhere in
World govt feed lazy peoples.Just wake upi you have all the
rights.TIll what time you guys will weep.Dont include Sikhs and
Critians in this.We have strong bonds with SIkhs and they are
hardworker community doing lot for country.Congress did wrong in 1984
that should be punishable.But dont say you dont have equal
rights.Shame on you.How Indiawillrise if Jaichands are still
there.Bole So Nihal SAT SRI AKAL.

Don't Weep Rak

by Anant on 09 Sep 2009

Rak your prejudices are comming loud and clear. My comments were to
punish the rogue politicians who facilitate such incidents. Whereas
you are blaming the muslims and their lack of education. In India
litracy is only 20%. Are you telling me that 80% of the population
that is uneducated is all Muslims. My dear fellow Muslims only make
15% of Indian population. Please wake up from your prejudices and work
towards making India a better nation for the coming generations. Don't
fall into the trap of the politicians. Strengthen the judicial system.
India needs this badly.

Don't Weep Rak

by Anant on 09 Sep 2009

Rak your prejudices are comming loud and clear. My comments were to
punish the rogue politicians who facilitate such incidents. Whereas
you are blaming the muslims and their lack of education. In India
litracy is only 20%. Are you telling me that 80% of the population
that is uneducated is all Muslims. My dear fellow Muslims only make
15% of Indian population. Please wake up from your prejudices and work
towards making India a better nation for the coming generations. Don't
fall into the trap of the politicians. Strengthen the judicial system.
India needs this badly.

How you would you like to die as Indian?.

by Jaswinder Singh Gill on 09 Sep 2009

Easy to say congress did 1984, where the heck was India Justice
system? BJP did 1991 so we should wait till other party / terror
organization to exploit injustice prevailing in Indian system. What
about SC/ST discrimination?Are all Hindu’s blamed for all these
violence or should we not blame who exploit situations.Be truth full
to your self and admit. We have seed of hatred towards other religion/
Government and we are allowing it to grow because of incidents like
1984/1991/Godra/Terrorist attacks/Fake encounters.No body lives twice
in flesh and blood (Atama might be). Nation and people should live
with this thought in there mind. “Jaan hai to Jahan Hai†.We think
to much we act like cowards , Proof continuous 20 years of terror
attack in India.

Narendra Modi

by Rajesh Reddy on 09 Sep 2009

I really admire Narendra Modi for doing this. Atleast he is the only
one who has guts to call a spade a spade .Unlike the boot licking
congress walas.

TAJMAHAL ws indeed a HINDU TEMPLE

by Abdul on 08 Sep 2009

RATHAn even though I am an exmuslim..i have studied quran and all
history about invasion of muslims in India and it is indeed TRUE that
TAJMAHAL was built by TEJ SINGh was SHAHAJAN who was a brutal
ruler ..asked the king to surrender and converted that TEMPLE INTO
MOSQUEITS BEEN PROVED SCIENTIFICALLY AND through archeological
evidences..check Stephen Knapp

Fake encounter

by Jamaludheen on 08 Sep 2009

Fake encounters are against humanity and infringe human rights, more
so when the govt turns a blind eye to events of this sort and a court
has to come up and bare the truth. It's regrettable that still people
are there to save the ... of the perpetrator.

OUR GREAT UNBIASED MEDIA

by Kumaresh Ramachandran Nair on 08 Sep 2009

"Yes the Gujarat government is the target of `secular' media's
intellectual Jihad by lies. They feel justified to do what they are
doing for the noble cause of secularism. But do they realise the harm
they are causing to India? What the world, the Muslim world, will
think of about India, and Hindus? Will they not think we are a
barbaric society and a tribal state like many Muslim states? The ISI
spends millions to convince the Muslims in Pakistan, in India and
elsewhere that those who identify and assert themselves as Hindus are
violent and India is anti-Muslim. The seculars in the media are doing
the ISI work more credibly. Yes, they accomplish this by lying,
suppressing the truth. They have no qualms or guilt doing that. Shame,
indeed." -----Gurumurthy-----The New Indian Express 21-06-2004

Gujarat Encounters

by Kalpathy Venkataraman on 08 Sep 2009

While I agree that killing of innocent people by Police in the name of
encounter is unacceptable, Ms. Ishrat's parents owe an explanation to
the public as to what she was doing in the company of three other boys
during the late hours of that ill fated night? The second question is
that if the trial judge is really telling the truth based on the
evidences presented or trying to settle scores with the party or
individual due to his personal animosity. In most of the cases, the
judge might have been overlooked for promotion and that might have
caused this outburst. As a judge investigating the case, his
responsibility is to present his findings to his superiors and nobody
asked for his verdict. I know that 95% of our police force in India is
corrupt and there is no difference between them and the organized
crime syndicates; but in this instance, in the interest of justice to
Ms. Ishrat and for the security of the nation as a whole a full
investigation into the judge's finding is a must.

muslims misleading muslims

by sanjay on 08 Sep 2009

was ranbir encountered by uttarakhand police, a muslim? police may
have commited a mistake but to conclude, as some muslims do, that modi
or hindus have done it is to prove how anti hindu these brand of
muslims are. if hindus had been so fundamentalist people like shah
rukh, salman, amir n other successful muslims would not have tasted
success in india.Muslims like hasan abdi who have rabid views
regarding the majority community are a danger to india n should move
to an islamic country like pakistan. dont abuse the country you stay
in or just shutup and get out. by the way Mr magistrate what was
ishrat doing with the three men in gujarat-holidaying?

Fake encounter

by Varind on 08 Sep 2009

Finding Ishrat's encounter as Fake does not exonerate her and
accomplices from being terrorists. Therefore it is too early for the
family and their supporters to say the blot is over. People suffering
from Jaundice see everything yellow.

ishrat

by rahul on 08 Sep 2009

ALL TERRORISIM IS COMMITED BY MUSLIMS.ALL ISLAMIC COUNTRIES SUPPORT
TERRORSIM.QURAN SUPPORTS TERRORISIM.SHARIA SUPPORTS
DISCRIMINATION ,TERRORISIM,HATE,CONVERSIONS AND KILLING.BOLLYWOOD
PROMOTES ISLAM AND GLORIFIES IT . ALL KHANS OF BOLLYWOOD HAVE MARRIED
HINDU GIRLS AND CONVERTED THEM TO ISLAM .EG.SHARMILA TAGORE, GAURI
KHAN,KIRAN RAO,SALMAN KHANS MOTHER, ETC. IT IS A PITY THAT
HINDUS,SIKHS,CHRISTIANS,BHUDDISTS ETC ARE SO DOCILE AND SPINELESS AND
DO NOT STAD UP TO ISLAMIZATION OF INDIA. WAKE UP PEOPLE. DEPOSE SONIA
AND CONGRESS AND TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY.

Ishrat's family demands stringent punishment for guilty cops

by Rachna on 08 Sep 2009

Every single day new things are discovered about the gujarat govt's
foul play. It seems they are a mafia that have been legalised by
votes. How else is it possible that some one responsible for thousands
of deaths go unpunished for so many years and on top of that remain
power too? The level of hatred that Gujarati Muslims have to face in
Gujarat is chilling. It is a wonder they still exist in thsi state
where every second person is ready to exterminate them at the drop of
a hat (the current ruling party, of course, leads the pack). May
Ishrat's family have the courage to overcome their trauma and build
soemthing positive out of the crumbles left in their lives. That is
the only befitting reply that victims can give to people like Modi and
his cronies.

amjad

by Amjad on 08 Sep 2009

The officers involved in this cold blooded murder case should not only
be tried but charged for cold blooded murder.I guess it not the first
case or going to be the last case unless strict action has been taken
against the culprits.

Expected

by Rajesh Mehta on 08 Sep 2009

Well I was just wondering some assembly elections are in corner, why
there is no news to generate another controversy to BJP. Here it
comes, congress is too smart for BJP and they know when and what
controversy to bubble to at right time and once election is over and
congress won handly all elections..they will go back to hibernation
and will do same 5 year tamsha and when elections will be in
corner ..same thing will be bubble up and keep fooling us and winning
elections !!

Probe Congress conspiracy

by Sadoro on 08 Sep 2009

Magistrate Tamang has execeeded his manadate. He along with Law
minister Veerapan Moily be subjected to narco analyst test to
determine what is motive behind such blunder. Truth will emerge soon.
Tamang should be arrested pending judicial inquiry against him. It
appears he has been offered money and promotion for this report.

Ghazwa Times

by Nadeem Taj on 08 Sep 2009

Ishrat Jehan given due credit for her sacrifice in the cause of Jihaad
in the July 2004 issue of Ghazwa Times. Truly she was a true Mujahid
for the LeT

Ghazwa Times

by Nadeem Taj on 08 Sep 2009

Ishrat Jehan was given due credit for her sacrifice for Jihaad in the
Ghazwa Times of July 2004. She was a true Mujahid of the LeT.

Fascist Mouthpiece

by DILIP/FRANCE on 08 Sep 2009

We demand a full and through investigation into I.E. and its terrorist
links.JUST SHUT UP>

complaint to congress

by vikram on 08 Sep 2009

why are you complaining? you should ask your questions to congress
people for treating you like this over 60 years.

Ishrat's family demands stringent punishment for guilty cops

by Ratan Gupta on 08 Sep 2009

Hundreds and hundreds of Muslim young men are killed in fake
encounters. No wonder Jaswant Singh has mentioned in his book that we
have comprehensively alienated Muslims from the mainstream. Their
crime! Creation of Pakistan. The crime committed by Nehru and Patel
has to be paid by poor Muslims. Thousands of Muslims were murdered on
the roads of Gujarat and Mumbai, none of the culprits are punished so
far. What kind of law and democracy are we talking about? Unless we
change our customized and false history to reduce the great Muslim
contribution to United India, such atrocities will continue. When I
was in Grade 10 in one of the schools in Bombay, most of us were
Hindus except one Muslim. When our Brahmin teacher stupidly and
foolishly declared that Taj Mahal was a Hindu Temple. HAAAA. Where are
we heading. This idiot does not even know, that Taj Mahal's
architecture is purely Muslim. I beleived that until I went to see Taj
myself. Shame.

Pak view

by pakistani on 08 Sep 2009

Artocities like this were forseen by our forefathers. Comments from
the hindus on this forum vindicate the 2 nation thoery and why
pakistan was necessary for muslims of sub continent to safeguard their
live, property and freedom.The claims of secularism in India is a Sham
and so is your called "democracy" which after 60 year s has not been
able to move beyond pakistan.India was never a country, present day
india is just an un natural union of different states and it will not
last long.Is this India shining? or Incredible India.

Encounter killing of muslims

by Jehan on 08 Sep 2009

All encounter killings of muslims must be probed like this and truth
must come to the people of India.

Pak view

by Pakistani on 08 Sep 2009

Artocities like this were forseen by our forefathers. Comments from
the hindus on this forum vindicate the 2 nation thoery and why
pakistan was necessary for muslims of sub continent to safeguard their
live, property and freedom.The claims of secularism in India is a Sham
and so is your called "democracy" which after 60 year s has not been
able to move beyond pakistan.India was never a country, present day
india is just an un natural union of different states and it will not
last long.Is this India shining? or Incredible India.

Purge the virus

by DILIP/FRANCE on 08 Sep 2009

We demand stringent punishment on the family for providing succour to
the radicalised fascist/jihadis.The policemen who took out the
traitors must be decorated.BRAVO, Modi for the P.M.Abe I.E. the free
muslim agent, running scared?

Support

by paul on 08 Sep 2009

Surprising to see the support for policemen, just because they killed
some "terrorists", but just check the track record of Indian police -
A loyal dog to the politicians, Does anything for money so no hope of
justice for poor from police, lots of custodial death, rampant
corruption and still people supporting the khaki lot...

Fake encounter

by shanthanu on 08 Sep 2009

The report as it is presented seems to conceal more than what it
reveals. It does not dwell upon the activities of the killed and their
connections, incriminatory documents in their pocession and the police
version and circumstances which lead to target the victims etc. along
with all the evidences. Motive of the family in lodging the complaint
after so many years also need be examined.

We are given just 5% of seats in parliamnets while we are 13% of
population

by Amir on 08 Sep 2009

We are given just 5% of seats in parliamnets while we are 13% of
population.Who ever done anything to martyr Muslims enjoys top post in
government.Pakistan is created becuase of these things already
forecasted by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.We have no belief on our laws order
agencies to punish the culprits who were leaded by the rogue Hindu
extremists Chief minister Nirender Modi.

Booo Modi, Guj govt

by ff on 08 Sep 2009

This is the true face of Modi and his communal party.

All Religion Out From this Country

by Satya Prakash on 08 Sep 2009

We are ready for fight till death with Congressis and all who dare to
challenge Shri Narendra Modi

Awakeing call for Govt.

by Hasan Abidi on 08 Sep 2009

Muslims are regularly being harassed and victimised by intelligence
agencies and police forces and the present findings are the live
examples. Muslims are not recruited in agencies like RAW, IB, SPG,
NSG, etc. for the reasons that they may reveal the truth and real
faces of our agencies will be in full public view and their thirst for
promotion and siphoning of funds will be under scruitiny. For the sake
of promotion and siphoning off funds (by all means of corruption)they
can go to any extent and no more evidences are required now. For our
agencies, Bajrang Dal, Hindu Mahasabha, Shiv Sena, RSS, and all other
hindu outfits are nationalists whereas muslims are branded as
terrorists. Many innocent muslims are apprehended by police for the
sake of their promotion and greater budgetary allocations in the name
of curbing terrorism. This story tells us that how terrorism is
planted and imposed on muslims and how muslim youths are killed in
fake encounters. Awakening call for GoI.

Hang ALL Killers

by sbala on 08 Sep 2009

Not a single policeman was hurt - Is it necessary? No bullet hit a
tree or vehicle - Will it, if the pistol is aimed from a higher
position and angled down? The pistol looked rusted - why not, after so
many months? 21 policemen down from the DGP to Constables were
involved to get promotions. What a great surmise! Does it sound
credible? DGP conspiring with constables? Why did not the enquiry look
at the details of the four killed, their movements in the week before?
Killers in any murder case should be given exemplary punishment. But
an enquiry by a non-political high-court judge from another state need
be conducted. Muslims the world over jump one upon another to paint
the entire police force and the government of gujarat as unlawful.
They were all absconding when Hindus in Kashmir were hounded,
Parliament / Bombay were attacked. If Muslims had all gone to Pakistan
in 1947, they could have done JIHAD better. India would have been more
peaceful

Mr.

by Sayed on 08 Sep 2009

Of course, the guilty should be severaly punished for this fake
encouter. Because the inquire was conducted in the metropolican court
and not others.Those high official in the Police dept should be
sentenced to life imprisonment or hanged until death.

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 12:59:52 PM9/9/09
to
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Cops-faked-Ishrat-killing-for-rewards-probe-report/514340/

Cops faked Ishrat killing for rewards: probe report

Express News Service

Posted: Sep 08, 2009 at 1036 hrs IST

Ahmedabad Less than a month after the Gujarat High Court formed a
three-member committee under an Additional Director General of Police
to probe the 2004 killing of Ishrat Jahan and three others in an
encounter by Gujarat police, a magisterial report into the incident
has claimed that the four were gunned down in cold blood, allegedly by
police officers eager to get promotions and the appreciation of Chief
Minister Narendra Modi.
The 240-page report by metropolitan magistrate S P Tamang was released
to the media today by advocate Mukul Sinha who is appearing on behalf
of Ishrat’s mother Shamima in the Gujarat High Court. It was on
Shamima’s petition that Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri on August 13 formed a
committee under ADGP Pramod Kumar and sought a report on or before
November 30.

Ishrat Jahan, from Mumbra near Mumbai, was killed in an encounter
along with three others in June 2004. The then DCP D G Vanzara, who
later became a prime accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter
case, had claimed that all four had links with the Lashkar-e-Toiba and
were on a mission to kill Chief Minister Modi.

A month after the encounter, a report published in Lahore-based Ghazwa
Times, the Lashkar mouthpiece, had described Ishrat as a “a woman
activist of LeT”.

The probe into the killings was started by the sub-divisional
magistrate of Ahmedabad in 2004 but amendments to the Criminal
Procedure Code saw the chief metropolitan magistrate handing it to
Tamang since the killings took place in an area under his court’s
jurisdiction.

Tamang’s inquiry report has called the encounter a fake. Apart from
Ishrat, those killed near the Kotarpur waterworks were Javed alias
Pranesh Pillai, Amjad Ali Akbar Ali Rana alias Salim alias Chandu
alias Rajkumar and Abdul Gani alias Jishant Johar alias Janbaaz s/o
Kalu. The police had claimed the two men with Ishrat and Javed were
Pakistanis.

The probe report states that the four were kidnapped from Mumbai on
June 12, 2004 and killed on the night of June 14 by the police.
Mentioning names of all the officers involved, Tamang said they all
conspired to get promotions and appreciation. He said there were no
Pakistanis among the four.

According to the report, Javed was killed by the DCB on June 14
between 8.30 pm and 9 pm while the other three were killed the same
day between 11 pm and 12 midnight. The report said police officials
had either towed or driven the car of the victims to the ‘encounter’
spot.

Mukul Sinha said they would demand immediate arrest of all police
officers named in the report — then Police Commissioner K R Kaushik,
DCB Joint Commissioner of Police P P Pandey, then DCP D G Vanzara, ACP
Narendra Amin, ACP G L Singhal and other junior DCB officials.

Comments - 39

IE is back to degrade Hindus

by YD on 09 Sep 2009

To its true image, Indian Express, is only posting the hate of Muslims
against Hindus and India. All my comments are ignored. IE is back to
its official job to promote Congress and degrade Hindus. Question is
only one, why Muslims are in India and not gone to Pakistan ? Except
Congress and media, no one want them here, they are not wanted.

Speak lies so many times

by ishwar on 08 Sep 2009

that it starts sounding like the Truth. That's exactly what the
English Electronic media (IE included) is doing. Afterall, they have
to justify the salaries that they get from a dynasty. Journalists and
TV reporters have now become the most hated people in this nation.

Modi doesnt need to fake anything

by Ajay on 08 Sep 2009

It is upto the parties like traitor Congress and the anti-national
pseudo-'samajwadi' parties to learn to call spade a spade or get lost.
Modi does not need to fake anything. It is Sonia who is surviving on
her fake identity.LeT has connections with Ishrat and the later should
be given nothing less than corporal punishment.

Modi does not need to fake anything

by Ajay on 08 Sep 2009

It is upto the parties like traitor Congress and the anti-national
pseudo-'samajwadi' parties to learn to cla spade a spade or get lost.
Modi does not need to fake anything. It is Sonia who is surviving on
her fake identity.LeT has connections with Ishrat and the later should
be given nothing less than corporal punishment.

more investigation required

by observer on 08 Sep 2009

With all sympathy to the victims if indeed they were innocent...I must
say this this whole affair reeks of a blame game and mudslinging at
any cost. If I remember correctly, the LeT had in a public statement
praised Ishrat Jahan on her "supreme sacrifice". Now if she was
innocent why would they praise her sacrifice? And reading between the
lines, our justice system seems to be joining in the blame game of the
Congress Party. Of course this goes without saying that Modi will have
a lot to answer for and if he is indeed found guilty, he should be
punished in a manner that will leave no doubt in the minds of future
leaders who intend to play with religious sentiments. But how about
hanging Afzal in the Indian Parliament terror case, bringing about a
Common Civil Code, removing Article 370 from J

JAI JASWANT SINGH::::PATEL was Pseudo IronMAN

by Indian Abroad on 08 Sep 2009

The real traitors are RSS and its men in congress like Patel.

Jai Sri Narendra

by Bharatwasi on 08 Sep 2009

We are ready to fight till death for Marendra Modi. Pledge Support to
SHRI NARENDRA MODI. JOIN NRENDRA MODI IN HIS FIGHT AGAINST TYRANTS,
TERRORISTS, HYPOCRITES.

All Religion Out From this Country

by Satya Prakash on 08 Sep 2009

We are ready to fight till death with all who oppose Narendra Modi

Oh! you devils

by Tinu Thomas on 09 Sep 2009

Oh, we know you people like drinking the minority blood. Even Dracula
is better than your Modi and you! Shame to you wolves!!

I completely agree

by Rahul on 09 Sep 2009

I completely agree with you sir .We must defend Mr. Modi at all costs.
Even if my innocent children are shot dead in fake encounters i will
proclaim them guilty for the sake of Mr.Modi. I hope everybody does
the same.

Think

by Krupa on 08 Sep 2009

Stop smoking and start thinking.. Tomorrow it could be you or your
family or tour friend who could be tagged as a terrorist and killed by
the same people. What will you say then? Pakistan sponsored terrorism
has to be dealt with in the strongest possible ways but not by killing
innocents. Killing innocents will only make things worse. Pray your
godfather as much as possible but don't loose your sense while doing
so.

bet, you think

by Ajay on 08 Sep 2009

No H1ndu is endangered by Modi. No nationalist and honest person is
feared of Modi. Only anti-national parties, corrupt media, and
dishonest and illiterate politicians spread venom against Modi.This
will make Modi even more strong. We have full faith in you O'leader
Modi. Pls not stop until this nation rises. Ignore who come on the way
on nation building.

Justice is the right of public.

by S.S.Ahmed on 08 Sep 2009

These police officers and ministers should be hanged publicly,so that
no one can dare to take such act as granted in future,They are public
servents and kept feeded by publics hard earn money,we should not
allow them special kind of security against public's life.Every indian
does have right to live in india without religion and cast
barears.They should keep in their mind that they might be from and by
the people but only for the people as their servents.Severe
punishments can realize them that public knew how to react when
servents behave like masters.

Lets calculate

by Arun on 08 Sep 2009

Let us calculate how much you pay and we pay as Tax

Corruption is the real glue for pseudosecular traitors grouping
together..

by Ashok Jain on 09 Sep 2009

Most of the black-marketeers and merchants who sell goods without
charging tax are from a particular community. Same guys dominate
Bomabay under world, smuggling, terrorism and all kinds of crimes.
They pay 'zero'tax and demand unlimited binefits from others. Demand
equality and secularism when they are in minority, and take it away
from others if they are in slight majority like in Malaysia! Until
this curse is eliminated from the face of this earth like Nazism,
communism (still some traces in India..) there will be no world peace!
Corruption casteism personified in names like Mulayam, Lallu, Pawar,
Gowda, Paswan, Karunanidhi etc. in India is responsible for all kinds
of traitors banding together in the name of secularism!

Is this the HINDUTVA in Gujarath ?

by Indian Economist on 08 Sep 2009

HINDUTVA HAS BEEN EXPOSED, ITS CHIEFMINISTER MODI MILOSEVIC HAS KILLED
MANY MUSLIMS.THESE TERRORISTS ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE EXTERNAL
ONES.THE GUARDIAN OF CITIZENS TURN TO BE THE KILLERS, SHAME ON
HINDUTVA, SHAME ON INDIA, SHAME ON HUMANITY.RSS/BJP/VHP 'S SILENCE
SHOWS THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THE KILLINGS OF MUSLIMS IN GUJARATH.ALL
HIONDUS EMPLOYED IN SAUDI ARAB, MALAYSIA, USA, UK SHOULD CONDEMN THE
KILLINGS.THOSE WHO ARE FUNDING IDRF MUST STOP SUPPORTING TERRORISM.

jai guj police

by RAJ on 08 Sep 2009

WELL DONE GUJRAT POLICE FOR KILLING THE JIHADI TERROST ..OTHER WSE OUR
CONGRESS CONGRESS GOVT WILL GIVE THEM VIP TREATMENT..WE NEED SAME TYPE
OF POLICE IN EVERY PART OF INDIA TO DEMOLISH THISE JIHADIS

Satyamev Jayate

by Satya Prakash on 08 Sep 2009

Narendra Modi ji ko kuch bhi hua to main apni jaan dene ke liye tayyar
hoon. Let's have 1 to 1 till death with everyone against Narendra
Modi.

Hang Modi to death

by Dr. Sanam on 08 Sep 2009

Nobody even hindu will not oppose to bring Modi and his aids ( these
police officer ) to bring behind bar and hang to death. That will be a
great proclamation and sign of our Great country " we are demorcratic
and we have law and order". India judiciary , pls show up the
courage.

apppreciate guj police

by raj on 08 Sep 2009

i appreciate gujrat police for killing jihadi lady wing leader..other
wise there may be another blast like mumbai attack and killed real
indians..i request all police dept to take same actin agaisnt these
jihadis..they deserve it and they can understand only the langvage of
bullets

You will appreciate the demons till your family is affected

by ChallengerIndian on 08 Sep 2009

People like you deserve the same treatment as Ishrat Jahan.You will
feel the pain when your family is raped and killed

Modi the Nazi(killer of innocent)

by Hilal Shaikh on 08 Sep 2009

Has not this beast and his followers,who kill for personal
gains,brought shame to India's reputation as a secular state.And yet
our so called secular Leaders of BJP support the killer of innocent in
the same way America support the Israelis against the Palestinians.
Why is he so biased towards muslims.Will someone (his advisors) make
him understand that he will have to pay for all his misdeeds.Hell is
waiting for you modi so be prepared.A PROUD INDIAN.

Madrasa...... Secular

by Arun on 08 Sep 2009

Understand the meaning of Secular. specialy very difficult for madrasa
taught ones.

Hang the accused, but only after fair trial. Why not Shove Cactus in
the rear of BAL,ADVANI,MODI and take cofessional statement under POTA?

by RSS -POLICE theTerrorists on 08 Sep 2009

THOSE LISTED MUST BE GIVEN THIRD RATED TORTURE, THEY WILL CONFESS THE
GREAT CONSPIRACY OF KILLING MUSLIMS.AS SUCH GODHRA WAS STAGE MANAGED
BY RSS/BJP/VHP.

Gujarath and Mumbai police are RSS shakas.

by Indian in Shame on 08 Sep 2009

It is the RSS which is running Mumbai and Gujarath Police
departments.MODI MUST RESIGN.

Police department must be cleansed of RSS terrorists

by INDIAN ABROAD on 08 Sep 2009

The notorious uniformed killer "Vanzara" was educated in RSS run
Saraswathi Shishu Vidyalaya, this is enough evidence that RSS madarsa
(Shishu Mandir) are breeding terrorists.Those involved must be hanged
to death in public.

Babu Bajrangi or Modi Bhai Bhai

by Qaiser on 08 Sep 2009

Babu Bajrangi killed innocent pregnent civilian lady and brought her
kid outside from womb and moving freely but innocent muslims are
arrested for nothing, may be some muslims done something so direct
punishment is Hanging for them what the implementation of law

proved false

by citizen on 08 Sep 2009

Babu Bajrangi may be a thug but that particular incident of a baby
killed was proved false by the SIT and Teesta Setalvad was said to
have fabricated that one for sensationalism. Come out of your hate-
Hindu mode else you'll find your existence in peril.

Innocent lives!!!

by Narayan on 08 Sep 2009

What a pity !!!!,where is the justice these days!! Innocent lives are
lost without proper investigation by the men in uniform because they
have the power!!! Catch all those who are responsible and shot them
the same way they have done. JUSTICE TAKES A VERY LONG TIME IN INDIA-
NO FAST TRACK COURT TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM!!! Eg. Kasab's case, this
guy he wants mutton biryani,basmati rice for lunch or dinner!! Come
on!!! India have so much of evidence aganist him! finalise the case,
but no tharek pay tharek!!!

Why Miraj Sangli riots are blacked ou?

by Mahesh on 08 Sep 2009

Why have the English media conviniently blacked out the Sangli- Miraj
riots news> Since it was started by Muslims, this is something you
crooks are unable to publish. see the you tube " sangli danga".
Absoulute hypocrates as always , you english news wallas

FAKE ENCOUNTERS

by Jose Noyal K M on 08 Sep 2009

The fake encounters staged in Gujarat shows the sorrowful state of
Governance and India can never claim as a secular country with rule of
the land taken for a ride by the guardians of law.Indians should not
allow themselves to be exploited by religious fanatics who are in fact
blood thirsty and has the sole motive of accquiring wealth and power
by misguiding the mass. Democracy is exploited and the real rulers are
manipulators of democracy.Staged encounters if proved all involved
Police Officers

Modi the murderer

by Naveed on 08 Sep 2009

The day encounter took place, many people were doubted the genuineness
of it. Every now and then murderer Modi asks his police officers to
create the fake encounters, just to show the people that his is the
only state government in India which is taking actions against
militants. Unfortunately those who get killed are the innocent muslim
civilians. I've been telling that the truth will prevail slowly but
surely. The day is not far when the real drama behind the Godhra
violence unfolds and that would be the day when the curtain falls on
the murderer Modi's gimmick political career. Innocent Muslims victims
and their supporters are just waiting for that.

Thousands of Gujarati Hindus are living very safely in Islamic Middle
East and Christian West

by George Tarakan on 08 Sep 2009

When the Gujarati Hindu fascists and terrorists allied to the butcher
Narendra Modi persist in massacring Muslims and Christians, looting
their properties, raping their women and destroying their churches and
mosques, it is ironic that thousands of Gujarati Hindus are living
very 'safely' and happily in the Islamic Gulf countries and Christian
West, earning a lot of dollars and Islamic currencies.Even Dhirubhai
Ambani started his business with the money he amassed from Islamic
Yemen, Lakhmi Mittal from Islamic Indonesia.If Modi's Gujarat is so
developed,why doesn't he bring back all these Gujarati NRIs to Gujarat
and resettle them there?These Gujarati, Marwari and Banian north
Indian Hindus living in south India are also a burden and curse to the
Dravidian region and its geography and culture.When the Hindu police
and Gujarati Hindus kill Muslims and Christians in Gujarat, the Arab
Muslims and Western Christians should kill Gujarati Hindus living in
their Islamic/Christian soil.

gujarat development

by N.V.SANKARAN on 08 Sep 2009

The following is the latest news regarding the Gujarat development
under Modi." A nine-member delegation led by Maqbool Ali Sultan,
Industries and Commerce Minister of Oman, called on the Chief Minister
Narendra Modi today to discuss ways to increase partnership between
Gujarat and Oman in trade and commerce". And, despite Oman being an
Islamic country, it doesn't consider Modi as an untouchable like the
Indian secularists do.

Go ahead

by citizen on 08 Sep 2009

I say George, if you want to murder Hindus why haven't you gone ahead?
Or are you hoping your instigations will embolden other lumpens to do
your work for you? Don't talk, act if you have the guts.

Nice thought !

by Anant on 08 Sep 2009

Well that a lot of expression coming out from your side ! But to some
up all , the simple reason is money and the services . yes these
people provide lot of money and services to all these nations while
working there . Can't be killed .

Rediculous

by sakthiman on 08 Sep 2009

Best joke of the year

Hang MODI and those involved.

by Indian Engineer - RSS on 08 Sep 2009

The police officers must be arrested and convicted.Those who were part
of this greater conspiracy must also be brought to book.IF the
Judiciary is fair it should deliver the Judgement in Gujarath cases on
par with other terror cases.

What a shame?

by IMRAN on 08 Sep 2009

All accused police officer should be hanged.INDIA
FIRST.................I AM AN PROUD INDIAN.

They are animals

by Neduncheziyan on 08 Sep 2009

Whereever encounter in the India, even in Kashmir else where, all
fake. Encounter means to kill young Muslims in cold blooded. All are
fake encounters?? Kidnapped by police officers and killed in cold
blooded for their own benefits getting few amount increase in salary
and few more stars in their uniforms/promotions, what kind of human
these officers??? They are animals. Immediately hanged in pubic, to
teach other officers.

Milosevic perpetrated the most heinous crimes - Modi and RSS pseudo
Hindutvadis take lessons from the Fascists forces.

by Indian Economist on 08 Sep 2009

The encounter must be taken lightly.This a greater conspiracy hatched
at RSS headquarter and MODI has patronized all the killings in
Gujarath.MODI must resign

WHY THESE RSS/BJP/VHP/URINECOLA DRINKERS HAPPY WHEN MUSLIMS ARE
KILLED?

by ENGINEER Indian on 08 Sep 2009

why the civil liberties, human rights people are silent?All the police
officers must be arrested under POTA.Base on the confessional
statement of Police officers and RSS/BJP/VHP (On tehelke Tapes), MODI
must be tried and convicted.

shame

by Mansoor on 08 Sep 2009

Shame on Gujrat govt and their police. All the people included in this
report must be brought to justice.

What A Shame

by Biswajit on 08 Sep 2009

All the policed men involved in the murder must be hanged-to-death.
Insteade building the country and maintaining its integraty, police
officials like these are the real terrorists. Because of these people
only the Hindu Muslim divide continues to flare. Because of these
traitors only India is suffering both nationaly and internationally.

Cops faked Ishrat killing for rewards

by N.V.SANKARAN on 08 Sep 2009

If this report is indeed true, then all those who stage managed the
encounter should be awarded the maximum punishment. However, there are
some loose ends to be cleared by the investigating agency. 1) The
above report itself says that the Pakistan based LeT had described
Ishrat as a “a woman activist of LeT†. 2) Immediately after the
encounter, the Maharashtra police which is controlled by the Congress
party had confirmed that the four killed in the encounter indeed had
LET links. Now, was the Maharashtra Police also lying? It would be
unbelievable that the Pakistan based LET was acting under instructions
from Modi to claim that they were LeT operatives!!!!

All officers involved (including politicans) should be hanged

by Afroz Lateef on 08 Sep 2009

All the police officials and the politicians chould be punished for
their involvement in these criminal activities, to restore confidence
in the police system.These acts of police make innocent victims into
the likes of Phoolan Devi........

Guilty policemen should be punished

by shahber on 08 Sep 2009

All the policemen should be punished. I suggest that they should be
shot pubi;icaly although our law might not allow this.Punishment
should be like that non one in future do such things. Such things help
antinationals to get support of aggrieved community.

Cops faked Ishrat killing for rewards: probe report

by Manazir on 08 Sep 2009

All Accused police officer should be hanged ,so that other police
cannot use their power ,

MODI IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ENCOUNTERS

by INDIAN HISTORIAN on 08 Sep 2009

THE SHAMELESS MODI, RSS, BJP, VHP HAVE NOT CONDEMNED ANY SINGLE
KILLING, THIS SHOWS THAT ALL THESE ARE INVOLVED IN THE KILLINGS OF
INNOCENT MUSLIMS.APART FROM POLICE OFFICERS MODI, VHP, RSS, BJP MUST
BE TRIED AND PUNISHED.JUDICIARY SHALL NOT TAKE ANY PRESSURE FROM
RSS.BEFORE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS, THE CENTRAL GOVT SHALL REMOVE ALL THE
JUDGES HAVING LINKS TO RSS.

Miloševic MODI

by CIVILIZED INDIAN on 08 Sep 2009

THE INDIAN Miloševic MUST BE HANGED IN PUBLIC FOR GUIDING HIS
POLICEMEN TO FAKE THE ENCOUNTERS AND FOR HIS ROLE IN GUJARATH
GENOCIDE.

GUJARATH IS THE PSEUDO HINUTVADIS LABORATORY::FAKE ENCOUNTERS ARE THE
EXPERIMENTS BY MOD

by Indian Abroad on 08 Sep 2009

SHAME ON THE GUJARATH ADMIRERS.NOT JUST FOUR, GUJARATH POLICE AND MODI
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 5000 KILLINGS SINCE 2002.MODI SHOULD BE
DISMISSED AND TRIED AND PUNISHED.IF CONGRESS GOVT. DOES NOT HAVE GUTS
TO PUNISH THIS BUTCHER, A CASE SHALL BE FILED IN INTERNATIONAL COURT
OF JUSTICE."MODI Miloševic" MUST BE HANGED IN PUBLIC.

JUNGLE RAAJ IN GUJARATH::KILL all those responsible in an ENCOUNTER

by Indianobserver on 08 Sep 2009

THE INCOMPETANT AND IMPOTENT GOVERNMENT OF MODI IS KILLING INNOCENTS
LIKE ANTS.SINCE 2002 GENOCIDE EVERY KILLING IN GUJARATHA/BY GUJARATH
POLICE HAS THE PATRONAGE OF MODI.ALL THE OFFICERS MUST BE KILLED IN
ENCOUNTER, IN ORDER TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN THE CITIZENS.APART FROM
POLIXE OFFICERS MODI AND HIS GOVERMENT MUST BE TRIED AND
CONVICTED.SHAME ON HUMANITY, MODI AND HIS HENCMEN HAVE KILLED
THOUSANDS AND ARRESTED MORE THAN 2000 INNOCENTS UNDER POTA.THE
GOVERNMENT IS RUN BY AN UNCIVILIZED AND UNCULTURED EUNUCH, WHO DOES
NOT HAVE A FAMILY AND DOES NOT KNOW THE PAIN WHICH FAMILIES OF
INNOCENTS SUFFER.THOSE PRAISING MODI FOR DEVELOPMENT ARE THE TAX
EVADING BUSINESSMEN, WHO ARE BENIFITED BY ILLICIT LIQUOR,PRODUCING
ADULTERATED MEDICINES, ILLEGAL TRADING OF GOLD.JUST GO TO ANY
GUJARATHI SHOP YOU WILL FIND THE REALITY, HOW MUCH TAX THEY EVADE
EVERY DAY.MODI IS TRULEY SAID AS :BUTCHER OF GUJARATH"I FELL NO
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN " KASSAB AND KASSAI"

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 1:14:31 PM9/9/09
to
Modi could be heading for bigger trouble: Moily

Agencies

Posted: Sep 08, 2009 at 1525 hrs IST

New Delhi Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi would have been in
"some other place" if the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter had taken place
in a foreign country, Law Minister M Veerappa Moily said on Tuesday.

He told reporters that Modi could be headed for bigger trouble as
"there are many such cases which are coming up now. If more
investigations are conducted, more skeletons may tumble".

Noting that the law will take its own course, he said the revelations
in the Ishrat Jahan encounter was a "very serious matter for the
country and....any other foreign country, Narendra Modi would have
been in some other place".

Terming the incident as "most unfortunate", Moily said, "many things
are done brutally and inhuman things are being done".

His comments came a day after a judicial probe said the encounter in
which college girl Ishrat Jahan and three others were gunned down in
2004 was fake and executed in cold blood by police officers for
selfish motives after the four were suspected to be on a mission to
"kill" Modi.
.
Comments - 30

rogue thy name is politician

by Hemant Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

Today's politicians should know that they are solely responsible for
the mess the country is facing. When they open their dirty mouth they
only spill filth all around polluting the environment and the society.
They have dedication forthe nation and the people except to hoodwink
the gullible people and grab power and enjoy at he public cost.Since
the Late V>P singh bacame the prime minister and implemented the
mandal commssion report the social fabric of the country was torn
apart with all kinds of unsruplous leaders ganged up in the name of
castes and religions to loot the country's coffer shamelessly.One
should not also forget Godhra when Ahmdabad carnage is referred.The
Ahemdabad incident was after all the repercussion of Godhra. Had
Godhra not happened then Ahemdabad would not have happened. Both the
incidents are black stigma for the country. people should dump all
these politicians who are there for years together enjoying at the
public cost and fleecing the people.

Truth

by Satya Prakash on 09 Sep 2009

Congressis, Pakistanis, Dawood Ibrahim agents and agents of Rome
beware. We will fight till death with Shri Narendra Modi against you.

Jai Chamcha giri

by Veer Sain on 09 Sep 2009

You seem to be a big chamcha of Modi. You are totally blinded with
Communal hatred. India was devided due to fanatics like you. Shame on
you.

Indian Law never punishes the politicians, Modi will easily get away

by suralisheikh on 09 Sep 2009

Modi is too big a shark to fall into the net in spite of his
criminality including the inhuman slaughter and murder of 2500 Muslims
in his state under his extraordinary planning, conspiracy and
supervison. Indian legal system is lousy as it allows political
criminals like Modi to easily get away, but people like him will never
get away in the Supreme Court Of the Lord of the worlds. He and his
comrade of criminals will taste the punishment one day.

Long Live Bharat

by Satya Prakash on 09 Sep 2009

We are ready to fight till death for Narendra Modi. Support Narendra
Modi. Jai Sri Narendra.

Long Live Bharat

by Shaikh Azher Yousuf on 09 Sep 2009

Your name is Satya Prakash and you are supporting open lies. A person
who has done systematic homicide for his political purpose. If you
want to fight to death, fight for justice and religious harmony to
built Ideal Nation, but not as devotee of Modi, who is bent on
dividing our beloved country on religious lines, kindly resurrect your
position as an Indian Citizen.

Long Live Bharat

by Satya Prakash on 09 Sep 2009

India does not need agents of Dawood and Mecca. Satyameva Jayate...
Dharmo Rakshati Dharma. We will fight till death for Narendra Mdi in
his struggle to weed out anti national and terrorist forces from India

Law cannot do

by Kesar on 09 Sep 2009

How the law cannot prosecute Modi he is above the law or we are just
making mockery of our law different for diffrent people.

Someboyd remind Mily 400 sikh butchered not even single congressi
found guilty

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

yes he is right had it been some other country Rajeev gandhi would not
be messiha after presiding over butchering of 4000 sikhs..

fake encounter

by ramji on 09 Sep 2009

Refer to Anil Kumar. Innocents are killed under almost every regime.
Politicians should be matured enough not to allow terrorists take
upper hand by blaming each other.

What about 10000 sikhs killed by Congress govt

by Sunny on 09 Sep 2009

Before Congress talks filth with sitting Chief Ministers they should
explain the blood of 10,000 innocent Sikhs killed in the streets of
Delhi .Why Lalit Maken, Jagdish Tytler not faced a day in prison.Rajiv
Gandhi had the cheek to say when a tree falls some dust will be
raised.Try explaining that to family of the Sikhs killed. Its the same
Gandhi clan who rule India now what language can we expect? Modi is
the only true son of India fighting the evil forces single handedly.
All good things that Shri Vajpayee did in last ten years is being
systematically dismantled to bring India back to pre 90's era in more
ways than one. The party which created the Kashmir problem, Punjab
problem should keep its mouth shut and let the law take its course.
And please give the country a prime minister who is nationalist , has
a spine and an astute brain. Manmohan is none of the above.

Modi could be heading for bigger trouble:Molly

by peshori ahuja on 09 Sep 2009

Molly is one of the highest ranking out of all the sychophants.He
resigned and is back beause of his sychophancy.There is nothing that
can stop the centre or any of its stooges to file a FIR aganist
Modi.If Molly's works he would recall that four officers of Custom
Dept. vanished when Indira Gandhi declared emergency and upto this day
nothing is known about them. Congress the "OLD PARTY" had influence
then and has now to make a truth look a lie and vice versa.I fully
agree with Rohi's comments.

Narendra Modi would have been in "some other place"

by Alex cogon on 09 Sep 2009

This is a very irresponsible comment from a Law minister. How Modi can
be blamed for the misdeed of police officers? Why Rajiv Gandhi was not
in other place when 3000 sikhs were killed by his men in 1984? Why
Mulayam singh was not in other place when Muktar Ansari killed a
number of Hindu in Azamgarh? There are more encounters in Mubai than
in other states; why Maharashtra CM is not in other place?

we are bankrupt

by harun on 09 Sep 2009

Yes the truth is all those Indians who claim to be educated and
civilised are morally bankrupt.The only agenda before them is of
hate.No were in a civilised society are we going to find support for a
regime which has already accepted its guilt in the supreme court in
sohrabuddin case be exonerated by fascists in the name of
nationalism.So they call such human right violations.What was so
outrageous was the way in which the findings of the report are bieng
overlooked to protect those cops who did it for personal gain .Not a
single soul has come out seeking the heads of these cops if proven
guilty.That is not the issue for these educated radicals.This facade
of bieng progressive is all out in the open.Yes the people of the
world who matter must now understand what is practised in the land of
Mahatma.Double standards and bias has reached new hieghts.Whosoever be
it those who burnt innocents or those who killed ,raped and murdered
hapless women must be hanged.Any different from Talibans.

Narendra Modi would have been in "some other place"

by Indian on 09 Sep 2009

Let me first make it clear that I do not have any sympathy for people
like Modi.However, how come India's Central Law Minister can make such
as statement (Narendra Modi would have been in "some other place" ,
any other foreign country, Narendra Modi would have been in some other
place".). Are they (Law Minister and and his government) not capable
of doing whatever they can within the frameworks of law? Is he
admitting that he incapable of ensuring people like Modi can not be
put under justice in India? Country's Central Law minister admits that
he can not ensure that Justice will be done in the country under his
and his party's goverment !!!What a shame Mr. Law Minister

He knows

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

(1) Congress ruled states liek maha and andhra lead the encounter
killing guj is not even a patch on those states police(2) He knows for
butchering of 4000 sikhs in any other country Pm wud have been
censured and hanged till death but we have that Pm who presided as our
bahrat ratan..He knows his own face is muhc uglier hence this drama

Modi is great.

by Shovan on 09 Sep 2009

Surprisingly, there are 1000 of h1ndus being converted to either 1slam
or c'anity. No one is taking note of that. All CM,s, bureaucrats are
c'tians under son1a ruled state. Jago India Jago. Long live modi. He
is the only hope.

Moily must be prosecuted

by Rohi on 08 Sep 2009

Moily should be prosecuted of war crime and genocide for providing
open support to jihadi mass murderers.

encounters

by maher on 08 Sep 2009

mr moily needs to suketu mehta's book on Mumbai, for his info there
more encounters in mumbai then any other state, and u have made mr
deshmukh a cabinet minister!!

vendetta politics of congress

by vishwajith on 08 Sep 2009

I remember LeT claiming Isharath being their cadre soon after her
encounter.Then media was silent now why this hue

RULE

by yash on 08 Sep 2009

When rule is not effective,judiciary walks a snail pace,when human
rights group value self promotion more than human rights, when rulers
fail in effective governance then misrule becomes the rule and is
often beneficial for the nation.Flash back on KPS Gill and his
handling of militancy in Punjab with success

Moily was also named in a CBI charge-sheet

by KMR Overseas on 08 Sep 2009

Few years ago Moily tapes scandal hit headlines, Moily was also named
in a CBI charge-sheet in the JMM bribery case. Now morally bankrupt
guy is law minister to dreams circumstances for others!! LOL this is
incredible India!

modi must testify his actions

by harun on 08 Sep 2009

The respone to the report was predictable.Does that mean a
democratically elected CM whoose role in all the happenings in Gujrat
above law.I dont hold congress holy.Lets not forget the massacare of
3000 sikhs in 84.To read our fellow educated pseudo nationalist
accusing the entire community of treachery is blasphmy.Why arnt u
people ignoring the charges which are so blatantly fissured.Is the
medical evidence of Rigor Mortis indicating death much before it was
claimed wrong or the absence of any bullets or markings from the
weapons alleged to have been used by the victims from the site
concocted.Everybody is entitled to have his say ,atleast after all the
findings before us should u react the way u have.What if these
findings are accepted by the Supreme Court.Do u all want the judgement
if it does come in favour of the alleged victims be overturned by
Parliment to defend those nationalistic cops.Lets not forget A martyr
like Karkare wasnt spared by u guys.Why this hatred.

Why everything is pinned on Modi

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

Maha and andhra lead the encounter chart noone shouts deshmukh and YSr
as man eater there.. if you do mud slilnging then expect reply in
kind.. as far as fake encounter is concerned .. as long as terrorists
get eliminated no idnian should have problme wiht it.. we do not want
another afzal gurur getting vip treatment in our prison

Moily suggestion

by asha on 08 Sep 2009

The Honorable Law Minister seems to be suggesting a hit job on Modi to
depose democratically elected CM.

modi - democrtically elected criminal

by Naazim on 08 Sep 2009

Asha , does it mean that any murderer who is democratically elected
should be exonnerated of his / her crimes and sins ? have you any
sense?

Elimination of traitors is not murder

by Boby Singh on 09 Sep 2009

Eliminating terrorists is not murder. Killing of Pakistanis, illegally
in India, is not murder. Anti-Hindu and anti-India are traitors in
India, eliminating them is not murder.

Respect the court

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

Fins some evidence against Modi just becomes some iditos have been
shoutign murderes this and that for ten years doesn;t make anyone
murderer

Repeated lies about a person won't make him a murderer..

by Vasudevan on 09 Sep 2009

One will not become a murder because selfish politicians, west-funded
media and ISI funded Teesta use Indian courts to tarnish all
nationalists, security personnel! We are at war with Pak-ISI-china and
its agents within India and in a war there may be some casualty, but
that should not be used by the enemies to tarnish real patriots! I am
sure these Hindu nationalists can be counted on without an iota of
hesitation (even Nehru did it!) if there is an attack on India by Pak-
China but can we say same thing about the rest? Every citizen should
ponder over this question.

Congress must be prosecuted..............

by Amit Purohit on 08 Sep 2009

Whole congress should be prosecuted for the crimes done against the
country and their President should be hanged .........in public for
the guilty

Stick to the point

by Afroz Lateef on 08 Sep 2009

Issue is with the police encounters in Gujarat. Stick to this
issue.Congress' crimes may be another issue.

India

by Raj on 08 Sep 2009

Puro-hit, when did u get out of the mental hospital. Do you know that
from 520 plus kingdoms, a country called India was formed because of
congress.


Due to patel

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

Due to patel not congress.. Left to nehru and his coteire today we wud
have had 1000 kashmir in india

India as a cultural entity was always there from Dwarakato puri,
Kailash/Manasovaravar to Rameswaram.

by Vijay Yadav on 09 Sep 2009

Mian Raj, there was East INDIA company before even congress was born!
India of Ashoka, Chandra Gupta was even bigger than current trunkated
India, extending from Afginastan to Cambodia.. If you don't know the
history, you will never learn from it. That is why all Islamic
countries are in deep shit, only oil, madrasa and terrorism won't go
very far!Haven't heard Hindus travelling from suthermost tip
Rameswaram to Kashi and Manasasarovar//Kailash in Tibet? Have you not
heard abpout Puri and Dwaraka seers from east to west? Indi as a
cultural entity was there always.. Until murderous savage hoardes came
from north west boarder under Gazni/Ghouri and later cunning christian
white traders. India survived all this, it will survive the remanats
of that traitor culture still flowing in the veins of 'pseudo-secular'
idiots.

Jai Sri Narendra

by Jai Bharat on 08 Sep 2009

READY TO FIGHT TILL DEATH IN SHRI NARENDRA MODI's STRUGGLE AGAINST
OPPRESSORS, TYRANTS, TREACHERS. I PLEDGE MY SUPPORT TO NARENDRA MODI.

then go on the streets, coward

by afroz lateef on 08 Sep 2009

It is easy to say it behind your computer. If you mean it, then give
your life for the sake of your country and not some religious zealot.

Go, have a life !

by Justice on 08 Sep 2009

Ready to fight till death against tyrnats? When Mumbai was attacked on
26/11, you sat like a coward inside your house... did not see a single
sangh parivar idiot on the streets helping the common man

Another ill inforemd idiot

by Anil Kumar on 09 Sep 2009

Any manmande or natural crisis in Indi and first one to come on the
scenee for help invariably is RSS.. nto some congress nutjob or cpm
idiot it always is rss.. whether it is tsunami or 1962 war fiuasco or
some train accident or earthquake it awlasy is rss which is first to
come with their volunteer work.. so stop spewing nonsens

NDA will ensure BJP's burial

by Harsh khopkar on 08 Sep 2009

This is nothing but a tactic to eventually wipe out the most agressive
person in BJP and ensure they never rise again.. Jai ho Congress..
rather rename yourself as "MDA" Muslim Democratic Alliance instead of
NDA..

To Harsha Khopkar

by Aryaan on 09 Sep 2009

People like you need sympathy and a good doctor for your mental
condition.

hello...this is height of congress

by sannath on 08 Sep 2009

Here again cong trying to divert the attentions of people...hello look
at your rule... idiots you are third grade policy is giving our land
to other countries. Our neighbouring countries are extending their
territories on our land....Our military leaders are warning of these
threats...your spineless UPA not able to do anything...your reactions
are so soft towards 26/11, now others are also want to take
advantage...what is the problem? This has gone too much now.If people
have thought modi govt is responsible for this act.. people wouldnt
have voted him..that is very clear. cong is so sick...This govt is
affecting people in all ways food price,terrorism issue,LOC.People you
have made a big big mistake by giving this cong govt to sit at the
center again.

Think broadly

by Manoj on 09 Sep 2009

You say that People wouldnt have voted Modi if they thought modi is
responsible for this act. Exactly the same way, people wouldnt have
trashed BJP and voted Congress/UPA if they thougth that policies of
congress was third grade. Congress never spent taxpayers money on a BS
like India Shinning campaign.

Politically motivated probes

by vinay on 08 Sep 2009

Why are all probes done only against the Modi govt ? Why doesnt the
congress govt take similar deep interest in probing the massacre of
3000 innocent sikhs in delhi and the brutal killing of 60 kar sevaks
in godhra ? It is apparent that the congress govt is playing vendetta
politics.

Godhra Karsevaks

by Sanju on 08 Sep 2009

Karsevaks in Godhra were also killed by a planning of Modi to trigger
communal violence and win the election.

Psychatric Help

by Radhey Gupta on 09 Sep 2009

Sanju, you need some psychatric help.

Congress - step mother of Hindu

by sweta on 08 Sep 2009

Godhara was not planned by modi, so please update your brain, congress
is step mother of Hindu - ready to haress hindu pro person so that she
can increase tyrany on hindu. Hindu please awake, I am writing from
USA, no country in the world appease minority this extent, ask govt
provide statistics of minority population increase since independence,
fund allocated to minority. They hav eone motto - increase population,
have big family, ask more money from govt, shout if something happend
against their will. All family planning for hindu only, hindu family
hardly makes life better even all people working and still prone to
terroris bomb blast.This is congress gift to indian.

come clean

by Babu on 08 Sep 2009

The parliament attack was also plotted by Congress and Congress came
to power by fraud election with the help of its Saudi, Chinese and
American masters.

Modi would have been "in another place" in a foreign country

by A. Pradeep on 08 Sep 2009

Minister Moily's comment is ironic considering the fact that neither
he or many of his incompetent and corrupt colleagues would have made
it to the cabinet in a foreign country!

Modi could be heading for bigger trouble: Moily

by p t suresh on 08 Sep 2009

How come Mr Moily did not make any comment on the news report on
Manipur encounter killing? Is that he did not read the news or it is
because his comment will not get a headline unless it is Gujarat?The
law should be same for everyone and similar situations wheter it is
Manipur or Gujarat. I believe, the news reporters should also report
similarly.Rgds

Modi could be heading for bigger trouble: Moily

by Indian on 08 Sep 2009

Moily is paid and/or instructed to make such statements. Why is this
guy quiet about the massacre of Sikhs in 1984 by his boss's family
members? Indira, of course, was executed by Sikhs for her crimes
committed at Golden Temple. There should have been celebrations in
India but instead, Rajiv arranged for the Sikh massacre. We all know
how honest the magistrates in India are and how much a report by some
magistrate can be believed. There should be an inquiry held at a much
higher level. Going in a chronological order, let us start with
inquiring into massacre of Sikhs and then inquire about burning alive
of 60 kar sevaks at Godhra before inquiring into alleged fake
encounters. Also, let the government inquire about Indira-Rajiv-
Italian's Swiss bank accounts. It is obvious that UPA is jealous/
afraid of Modi and the rising tide of Hindu awareness. Also, how can
progress in a BJP ruled state be tolerated? The Italian has no concept
of how to govern.

Subject Modi and Togadia to Narco analysis

by George Tarakan on 08 Sep 2009

If Narendra Modi and Praveen Togadia are subected to modern scientific
interrogation techniques like narco analysis, brain maping, etc. their
complicity in many murders of innocent Muslims and also many
mysterious terrorist attacks and bombings happened in various parts of
the country, including killing of Hemant Karkare, Jaipur blasts which
ensured BJP's victory in Karnataka,etc. will be discovered.If Indian
government does not do it now, the international community will
tomorrow force India to do so.

Rome bhejo Congressi Ko

by Satya Prakash on 08 Sep 2009

We are ready for fight till death with Congressis and all who dare to
challenge Shri Narendra Modi

Modi is the responsible

by baby on 08 Sep 2009

Modi should be prosecuted

Sid Harth

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 2:41:49 PM9/9/09
to
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/back-from-sangli-tour-munde-says-govt-biased/514850/

Back from Sangli tour, Munde says govt biased

Express News Service
Posted: Sep 09, 2009 at 0610 hrs IST

Pune Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Gopinath Munde
castigated the ruling Democratic Front for taking a biased approach to
the communal riots and restricting him from visiting Sangli and the
nearby areas.

Prevented from visiting the communally tense Miraj and other parts of
Sangli district, Munde on Tuesday alleged that the state government
was politicising communal riots in Sangli by allowing the Congress-NCP
leaders to visit the riot-hit areas while stopping him from doing so.

“The state government is clearly discriminating. It is allowing the
ruling party leaders to visit areas where communal riots have taken
place, but they have issued prohibitory orders against me visiting
Sangli district,” Munde said at a press conference here after the
police disallowed him from carrying on with his journey to Sangli via
Satara.

The BJP leader, who took the highway route to visit Sangli on Monday
after being stopped on Mumbai airport from taking a flight to
Kolhapur, returned to Mumbai to attend an all-party meeting called by
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. The meeting was called to try and resolve
the tension in various districts of western Maharashtra. Miraj
witnesses communal clashes triggered by display of hoardings depicting
Bijapur’s Islamic warrior Afzal Khan being killed by Shivaji Maharaj
during the Ganesh immersion procession.

“The state government has failed in maintaining law and order in
Sangli district. It is after the Opposition forced the government to
take steps to resolve the situation that the Chief Minister called an
all-party meeting,” Munde said.

He said the BJP had demanded that all the religious organisations and
political parties be taken into confidence for bringing life in
Sangli, especially in Miraj, back to normal.

There was no politics involved in the saffron party leaders visiting
the affected area, Munde said when asked on the reason for raking up
the issue with state elections round the corner. The state government
should release the innocent persons detained in the last few days and
punish those involved in spreading communal tension, he demanded.

Munde said flexibility in poll alliance was the way forward in the
October Assembly elections. “The seat-sharing details of Shiv Sena-BJP
alliance will be announced within two days,” Munde said, adding that
he was sure the NCP and the Congress will forge an alliance for the
elections. “The political situation in the state is such that no
single party can come to power on its own,” he said.

The seat-sharing formula of 171 seats for the Shiv Sena and 117 with
the BJP will be repeated in the elections next month, Munde said.
“There will be exchange of Assembly segments between the two parties
due to change in the constituencies after delimitation,” he said,
adding that he was expecting a large number of rebels from the NCP and
the Congress.

He, however, admitted that the MNS will continue to eat into the
saffron vote bank as in Lok Sabha polls, but expected the same for
Congress-NCP due to emergence of a strong third front led by
Republican parties and Left parties.

The BJP leader reiterated that his party was not averse to Sena
executive president Uddhav Thackeray becoming the chief minister if
the saffron combine came to power. “However, the Sena and BJP will not
project anyone as the chief minister candidate right now,” he said.

Sid Harth

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 3:13:46 PM9/9/09
to
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/police-didnt-fire-in-selfdefence-planted-ak56/514758/0

'Police didn’t fire in self-defence, planted AK-56'
Express News Service

Posted: Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009 at 0837 hrs
Ahmedabad:

The report rubbishes the police claim that during the encounter one of
the four had fired from an AK-56. It quotes from the handwash reports
of those killed, from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), saying
there were no traces of gunpowder or ammunition on any of them.

The police in its FIR had said that one of the four took position on a
road divider and started indiscriminate firing with an AK-56. But the
FSL had not found even a single used cartridge from that spot. The
police, says the inquiry report, had planted the AK-56 and a 9 mm
pistol to frame those killed as terrorists.

The report also points to other contradictions: while the police FIR
said the cops had fired 70 rounds from their service revolver, sten
guns and AK-47, the FSL had recovered only 50 used cartridges from the
scene of the crime and that too of AK-56 rifles. Not a single used
cartridge of sten guns and service revolvers was found from the spot.

Tamang says, “according to my investigation, police had not at all
fired in self defence”, as the FSL had not found any used cartridges
of such guns from the spot. “The Crime Branch and police officials
might have fired these cartridges elsewhere but not at the scene of
crime,” Tamang says in the report.

The report says that according to forensic evidence, Javed alias
Pranesh Pillai, was killed by an AK-56, and adds, “That means the
AK-56 was not with the accused, but with the police.” Zeeshan Zohar
alias Abdul Gani alias Janbaaz was also found to have died of AK-56
bullets. “According to my investigation, the unlicensed AK-56 was
planted by police,” Tamang says.

OTHER LOOPHOLES

From the right-hand pocket of Amjad Ali alias Salim’s track suit, Rs
1,250 and a photo of himself was found. On the back of the photo,
“Salim” was written in English. According to the report, the photo was
taken during his detention by the police, who scribbled the name as
well. This is because if he was a Pakistani, as the police said, his
name was likely to have been written in Urdu and not English. The
photo was also planted to establish his identity as Salim, the report
says.

“Similarly, in Zeeshan Zohar’s right-hand trouser pocket, police had
found an identity card during inquest panchnama. From his pocket the
police recovered just an I-card and nothing more, not a single paisa,
which is strange. It also indicates that the I-card must have been
also planted by police,” the report added.

In Javed’s case, on the right-hand trouser back pocket, police found
only a driving licence. If a person is traveling from Mumbai to
Ahmedabad, it is difficult to believe that he would not carry any
money or anything else. The licence card may have been left in the
pocket to establish his identity, the report says.

According to the Panchnama, Ishrat’s college I-card was found around
her neck. “It is difficult to believe that any girl traveling form
Mumbai to Ahmedabad would hang her college I-card around her neck,”
the report says.

THE DEATHS

The report says that on June 14, 2004 Javed was killed between 8.30 pm
and 9 pm, while the others were killed between 11 pm and midnight.

“They were shot at from close range. The Indica car (which the police
said the four had used) was either towed or driven to the declared
spot of the crime. Amjad’s body was dragged out and positioned on the
road divider. The left rear tyre of the car was fired at by the
police. The police then fired 50 AK-56 rounds — the used cartridges of
which were found from the scene. The police then planted what it later
claimed were recovered weapons in the car,” says the report.

THE DISCREPANCIES

The police in the inquest panchnama did not mention about the recovery
of 90 live cartridges of AK-56, but the FSL report mentions having
recovered them from the scene of crime. It means that the police must
have planted them on the spot of crime, the report says.

Behind the rear seat of the Indica, a blue coloured bag and 81 live
cartridges of AK-56 were found according to the panchnama, but this is
not mentioned in the FIR. This means that the police had planted them
to prove they were terrorists, the report says.

Similarly, from the car boot, 17 kg of sulphur and urea powder was
recovered from a jute bag, according the spot panchnama. But this was
also not mentioned in the FIR.

In the car boot, in a black suitcase, Rs 2,06,610 was found; again
this was mentioned in the FIR. The police had planted the money it got
from other sources to prove that they had received this amount from
Laskhar-e-Toiba to spread terror, the report says.

This money was recovered from a bag that had a number lock, but the
lock was open. It is difficult to believe that anyone would keep a bag
unlocked if there was so much money in it, the report says. The FIR
does not mention that the police had recovered from the suitcase a
Thuraya brand satellite phone, its extra battery, charger, refill
using card and a hand free speaker. But these were detailed in the
panchnama.

POST-MORTEM REPORT

“In the post mortem report, rigor mortis (stiffening of the muscles
after death) was detected in the body as well as half-digested
food. ...Rigor mortis sets in 2-3 hours after death during the month
of December, beginning leg upwards and taking a time frame of 12
hours,” says the report.

According to the report, rigor mortis had set in and developed
properly on the entire body of all the four dead. Therefore, death
might have occurred 12 to 24 hours earlier as was reported in the post-
mortem report that took place on June 15 at 3.40 pm. “If we account
for that time, it means they might have died somewhere between 3-4 pm,
June 14 and 3 am of June 15.”

SELF-DEFENCE THEORY

The distance between the police’s Gypsy and the Indica car according,
to the map of the scene of crime, is 33 feet. This is while the
distance to the policemen who had taken position was around 66 feet
away from the car. The police in its complaint had said that the
‘terrorists’ had fired upon them from the roadsides, but the nature of
the injuries show they were not fired at from a long distance.

“According to principles of medical jurisprudence they were shot at
close range.... the nature and size of exit and entry wound vary¿. and
they were all shot while they were sitting, from a close range,” the
report says.

The report says that the FIR has not mentioned about any tip-off about
a woman terrorist. But the police detained Ishrat along with Javed and
others. She was also killed because she would have revealed the police
plans and would have foiled the police conspiracy, the report adds.

“All the policemen involved had hatched a conspiracy and illegally
detained Ishrat Jahan Raza because she was a Muslim from Mumbai,
saying she was LeT fidayeen terrorist. She was detained illegally with
others on June 12 sometime between 12.30 afternoon and 9 pm.

They were taken to some place different from the spot of crime on 14
June 2004, and Ishrat was killed between 11 pm and midnight in cold
blood, very cruelly, shot at very short range, the report says.

Comments (68) |

JUDICIARY AND BIAS

By: N.V.SANKARAN | 09-Sep-2009

Immediately after the 2002 riots in Gujarat riots, when I heard the
news that one of the Supreme Court Judges had slammed Mr. Modi I had
asked a gentleman who was a district judge the following questions. 1)
Was it morally and legally proper on the part of an incumbent Judge to
make judgmental remarks against anybody when not a single case has
been filed against him. The answer was "No" 2)Could it not amount to
prejudging the guilt of that person based on media reports? Answer,
"yes" 3) Is it possible that a SC judge can remain totally insulated
from the society so that he can pronounce totally impartial judgment?
Answer was "No". 4)Is it not possible that he be influenced by various
factors? Answer was, "yes, it was possible". Now, the metropolitan
Magistrate Mr. Tamang is (probably) a Christian and we cannot rule out
the possibility that he had conducted the investigation with the
fixation that,"Since the encounter has taken place in under Modi
government, it could only be fake"

Truth Shines

By: Satya Prakash | 09-Sep-2009

We are ready for fight till death in Narendra Modi's struggle against
anti national elements and development for Bharatwasis. Long Live
Narendra Modi.

Knows fact Vimal

By: Suchithra | 09-Sep-2009

What happened in Gujarat was sad and unfortunate incident, but 1984
Delhi riots was major one when compared to this. In 2002,971 out of
nearly 60 lacs muslims lost their lives against nearly 3000 of 12 lacs
sikhs in Delhi 1984.Police was silent spectator in Delhi riots whereas
Gujarat police fired thousands of bullets to control riots claiming
almost equal lives from both the communities.Army was called out on
the first day of riots.Rajiv Gandhi justified Delhi riots by saying
that the earth shakes when big tree falls. Yet no one raised finger at
Rajiv Gandhi and so-called seculars are attacking Modi every day.

Know facts mr.vimal

By: Suchithra | 09-Sep-2009

Guj roits happened post Godhra remember.Its unlike Sikh roits.Muslims
and most of the Hindus are only used to see Hindu massacred without
counter response, they find it difficult to digest what happened in
Gujarat. They want the last thousand years of "tradition" to continue-
Hindus being killed, Hindu sons and daughters being kidnapped and
Hindu women being raped in broad day light- without any anger in
Hindus and any remorse in Muslims.Know facts

fake encounter

By: Naveed | 09-Sep-2009

The tall claims of Narendra Modi that he speaks for the development of
5 crores of Gujarati people irrespective of their religion, is
exposed. Gujarat is increasingly becomming a state of fake encounters.
And to Mr. Anirban Banerjee, when the majistrate declares Ishrat Jehan
was innocent, how come you're telling that she was a terrorist? You
must be some relative of either Narendra Modi or the police personnel
who carried-out such cold blooded murder.

@Full Fool Vimal

By: Amit Purohit | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 14:54:26 PM

Thsi vimal is born full fool.May be genetically.This idiot of first
order doesnt have brain to learn and eyes to see. The result full
fool.And by the way there is a long queue for same and I am at the
tail end.Why dont u come and claim their share and get it
straight.Fearful are those who use fake names and not real
ideas.....And IE Y did u block my previous comment for this full fool.

Control your Emotions , Take care of your Health..Mr.Amit

By: Vimal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 16:54:06 PM

Mr.Amit, Half baked potato..I am real..as you can see..that i am using
my real name and real mail id. I am not some one to fake as it happens
in the fake encounters in your state. Real Ideas! what do you mean by
that? Ideas are imaginery..and where can be reality in that? You are
using contradictory words u moron!Why don't you come up with some
thing factual which can be taken as real useful arguments, instead of
getting personal?try it..some day you may get at it.Hmm..also u seem
to get a lot emotional..which is medicinaly a symptom of a weak
heart..take care of ur health Mr.Amit.

Congress govt would have bribed Police for encounter on minority

By: Suchithra | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 14:23:52 PM

Congress govt would have bribed Police for encounter on minority

Do your Home Work before you come out to public

By: vimal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 17:00:40 PM

Hello Suchitra, Back again..Please read the articles by Atla Bihari
Vajpayee , Arun Shourie, Jaswant Singh in the same Indian Express.
Their Interviews reveal you more information to you than anything we
have so far argued. You need to do some more Home work..better do that
every time.. or else you may be bashed for not doing that :P

talking crap vimal

By: suchithra | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 17:33:06 PM

Atalji was so much affected that such a roit happened during his rule

Know fact else will get fitting reply

By: suchithra | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 17:24:02 PM

You need to read that interview again Vimal.In the entire dialogue
Atalji wanted to take the responsibiltiy of Guj roits

Muslims should emulate the Christians of north east and retaliate to
police atrocity with force

By: George Tarakan | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:31:16 PM

The Indian Muslim community has become a passive and inert lot
involved only in making money by whatever means, otherwise they would
have formed a suicide-bombing squad like Hizbullah to neutralize the
Hindu fascist police officials who continue to persecute them.Muslims
have been suffering the gun shots of these Hindu police and sword
strikes of Hindu civilians for the past 63 years, still they remain
passive without forming a defence organization. Muslims should learn
lesson from the Maoists, the Bodo Christians and Christians of the
north east. The Hindu fascist police were subjecting the Christians of
the north east to similar persecution, killing and rape, and now the
situation is such that the Hindu fascist police does not dare to enter
that area, let alone the army.More Hindu police and Hindu soldiers die
in the north east than in Kashmir; still they do not dare to refer the
north east's issue as Christian while they find pleasure in referring
to Kashmir as 'Islamic'.

This is Congress Kick off of MAHARASHTAR ELECTIONS

By: Pushkar | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:28:33 PM

This is Congress Kick off of MAHARASHTAR ELECTIONS

Well Done

By: Ali | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:28:36 PM

Modi is a cold blooded murderer who for power can go to any extent.
Its said that what you sow your reap. He is nothing but evil. And such
people meet thier fate in this world only. Look at the murderer of
Sabra

Is it?

By: Amit Purohit | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:00:23 PM

Is it a coincidence that all the postmortems done by Tamanag were
giving benifit of coubt to the terrorists and not police.This man
Tamang is dictated from Jawahar Bhawan and 10 Janpath as well Diocese
of Church of Manipur or Nagaland.If money was not in pocket than it
was planted and if it is box then why open and that too was planted.A
fool Tamang.These congressmen and women must be beaten to death on
streets.

IS it?

By: Prashant | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:09:58 PM

Dear Amit, violence has no place in a civilised society. Learn to
fight your case with logical arguments rather than making statements
like beating unto death on streets. Do you really have any credible
argument against Tamang's report? If yes, place it before us, else
forget the debate. Incidentally, I do not hold personally Modi as
responsible for all actions of Gujarat police.

Great Mr. Amit Purohit.. Half baked potato..

By: vimal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:20:54 PM

Great Amit! ypu seem to know all the secret activities of Janpath and
Jawahar Bhavans. Are you belonging to RAW or CBI or any other Spy
agency? i like to learn more from you.. and by the way why dont you
try to kill someone as you said? do you have the courage?

unity in diversity

By: syed kalim | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:57:36 AM

r we progressing?can india ever make progress if such things r
happening in india ?????????only young generation,our gneration can
help india out of such situation!!!!!!!!we cant change the past,but
can make future better by cultivating unity in our minds inspite of
our religion

JUdicial system bought by Sonia

By: Rajesh Patel | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:35:27 AM

Since Narendra Modi is found - UNDEFIABLE - by Manmohan Singh

He is all about work no fuss

By: anirban banerjee | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:29:55 AM

Modi haters just can not adjust with the reality that he is a superb
performer and while on one hand he is doing his development work
across the communinities there are communities who are trying to still
come to terms with modern ethical values that Modi shares with the
world.Modi bashing is bad for the country .It is worrisome that some
pseudo secularist Human rights groups are always trying to defame Modi
government by instigating a particular community's already misaligned
sense of collective community ego.We should tahnk Modi for the courage
he shows while dealing with these unpatriotic group of hypocrites who
on a slightest instance do not falter to point at Hindus but are
otherwise cool and ignorant about the vice their own religion has
inflicted upon the world peace in an unparalleled magnitude.Shame to
the Jihadi Intellectuals who do not even understand that by way of
covering up the crimes of the terrorists like Ishrat Jahan they are
passively supporting terrorism

Don't be Blind

By: Sameer | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:25:08 PM

Dear Nairban, U seem to be sleeping. It has been proven that Ishrath
was not a terrorits. U might have understand if this would have happen
with ur family. There is no evidence presented by the cops to prove
that there she was a terrorist. As far as Modi is concerned, he might
be doing good job but no one accepts it at the cost of human lives.
Wait and watch the end of him is near and open-up ur eyes and mind
dont act like a hypocrit.

Don't be Blind

By: N.V.SANKARAN | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 19:45:39 PM

Dear Sameer, don't be blind!!! The central Home Ministry which is not
under Modi or BJP has re-affirmed that all the four who were killed in
the encounter had terrorist links. The Pakistan based LeT had declared
immediately after the encounter that the "woman killed in the
encounter was a Let operative". Maharashtra police who is controlled
by Congress-NCP government had confirmed at the same time that the
four indeed had terrorist connections. How much more do you want to
understand the dangers of supporting such people, even if they are
"misguided persons" as many would like to classify them? Now, would
you have been happier if they were not "encountered" and allowed to
carry out their terrorist activities and to kill lots of innocents.
Tomorrow you could be the victim of such terrorists like many Muslims
are suffering in J

You just shut up.

By: Hasan Abidi | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:02:46 PM

Shame on you Mr Banejee. Modi is a terrorist and he has not made the
Gujarat great. Can you please tell me where Gujarat stands on academic
standrads and scientific research. Gujaratis have little contribution
in academic excellence. They do business only and that the conditions
of the common Gujaratis is same and they are living in abject poverty.
How can you say the all is well in Gujarat. You are not familiar with
the other facts about your Hindu community which deeply involved in
financial corruption and should be branded as terrorists because of
their looting national assets and making losses to the country.

ajmal kasab

By: RAJ | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 16:45:52 PM

DNT JOKE..INDIAN GOVT IS NOT READY TO RPOVE MR AJMAL KASAB AS TERORIST
AFTER SO MUCH PROOF AND EVIDENCE..THEN IT S SIMPLE FOR THET TO PROVE
TEROR AS INNOCENt

Encoutering truth..?

By: Tamil Arasu | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:29:27 AM

This is not simply about fake encouter or police high-handedness; its
virtually death blow to the virtues our nation is built upon; India
doesnt mean Islamophobia, unfortunately bloodthirsty Modi type of
facists want to make it like this, we all must resist it at any cost;
secularism is more important for the Hindu majority also. its time
renew our pledge for a better and secular tomorrow where there should
not be no place for hate campaign any community/people. we all must
collectively apologize to Muslims/christins/sikhs in this country for
constantly orchestrating violence against them at regular
intervels.Tamil Arasu

Salute you Mr Tamang

By: ahmad | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:26:42 AM

Well done Mr Tamang, Indian people need man like you.. well done. i
salute all people in India like you.

Well done Mr Tamang,

By: N.V.SANKARAN | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 19:49:06 PM

Not the Indian people, but the Islamic terrorists like Indian
Mujahideen need you.

Human soceity and its fall

By: Sajid | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:25:34 AM

No human community can survive with out justice, and i see the justice
is not previaling in our country, everything seems to be taken for
granted, any one can get away with the punishment as long they are
powerfull..Kill, rape, riot and masacre, sometimes in the name of God,
sometimes in the name of race, caste

Why are these police officals not arrested?

By: Afroz Lateef | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:19:14 AM

These police officials are a danger to other citizens of India (not
only Gujarat). Have they been arrested and put in Jail Immediately?

IS IT A COMEDY OF DEMOCRACY

By: BC DEBNATH | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:11:32 AM

Mr. S.P. Tamang commission and conclusion as well as Gujarat Police
encounter in the same issue become a comedy on democracy. One agency
of Government said it is an encounter with terrorist and at the same
time another Govt. agency investigated and found that it is a fake
encounter. Both are from the republic of India recognised agency. Is
not a comedy on Indian democracy. Whom to belief? If in this case,
congress support agency investigated, it will conclude as fake and
religios biased. Similar if you recall Banerjee commission on Godhar
riots. At the same time, if the same investigation carried out by BJP
supported, it will be a dangarous terrorist. Whom to belief ? who is
responsible for making mockery in this democracy to laugh the entire
world. Shame Shme !!

A COMEDY OF DEMOCRACY

By: Debu | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:01:22 PM

I agree with this issue

Aren't there several cases like this in Manipur?

By: Ravi | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:10:28 AM

While am not aware of the merits of this particular case...What about
all the fake encounter killings in Manipur that are being reported?
Aren't police officials even receiving medals for fake encounters in
Manipur,as being reported in the media? Does it fall off the map for
Congress

innocent killing

By: Samir | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:09:04 AM

well done mr.tamang, i salute u. u have exposed the truth behind the
case. but wat will do with those who are guilty? nothing right....
becoz these are the real heroes of this country. they do wat they
want, nobody stops them. is this the indian law? where there is
different rules for politicians and different for public? this news
will run for some days and will disappear so many cases happened like
this but nothing happen. jay ho....

Protected Species

By: Iquebal Ahmed | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:19:59 AM

Mr. Samir, in India if you attain a political position of
significance, then you will become a 'protected species.' The law of
land is for common people like us and not for them.

Fake Encounter

By: Prashant-Vadodara | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:56:33

Based on whatever is reported, I can say that some of the conclusions
arrived at by him cannot be called foolproof. The benefit of doubt
should have gone in favour of the police rather than to those who were
killed.But some of the inferences drawn in the report seem to be
inclusive and leads to the theory of a 'fake encounter.' Further
investigations in these are definitely warranted. Will the Government
of Gujarat show courage to refer the case to Supreme Court appointed
Special Investigation Team to find out the truth?And at last, if some
officials are over-acting to please their political bosses without the
latter's knowledge, it is unfair to blame the political bosses and
hold them responsible for the unfair deeds. Same logic holds good for
Narendra Modi who is seen to be one of the clean and honest political
figures in the whole country.Let us be fair to those who are killed in
the encounter, to Gujarat Police and to Narendra Modi as well, and
find ways to reach truth.

Narendra Hitler Modi

By: Vimal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:15:42 PM

Clean , Honest Politician Narendra Modi? ha ha ..wake up my dear
friend! funny you came to the public naked..with out any factual
information to protect your argument. People of Gujarat may hail him
equvalent to Hitler (when Hitler was at his legendary peak), but one
day Modi will prove that he is a sinister to this nation. Modi is none
other than Hitler of 21st Century. Sad that we have him in India.

Why you people never talk of Sikh roits

By: Indian | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 14:27:29 PM

Vimal,Why you people never talk of Sikh roits?Is it not communal?

I am against every Riot

By: Vimal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 16:46:06 PM

Hi Indian, I am against every Riot of any nature. I understand the
agony of every one affected by violence.This discussion is about the
fake encounters which are linked to riots of 2002,by the police.And
this is not related to riots of 1984.

Narendra Modi

By: Prashant-Vadodara | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:57:10 PM

People of Gujarat know what Narendra Modi has done for them and we are
proud of him. Show me a single instance where even judiciary has
blamed him personally for any wrong doing. Modi has gone to the extent
of punishing guilty officials, even if they are found to be acting in
manner which they thik would have pleased him. No point is abusing a
person without really knowing the progress of Gujarat under him during
the past decade or so.

Why no even evr got convicted in 2002 riots?

By: Vimal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:23:26 PM

yes right! Gujarat is progressing.no doubt about it.we as Indians are
proud of the development happening in the state.the problem is with
the leadership..there.Are you guys progressing in the right direction?
If Modi has punished all the officials ..then it means there is some
wrong doing in his govt..u urself has admitted to it.Why then no one
ever got punished in the 2002 riots? how come within weeks 20,000
Muslims disappeared from the states population? Do you also see there
ar emany other states in India that ar eprogressing too? So Progress
can be brought by any leader..but is the leadership right? In case of
Hitler.. until the beginningof world war II he was considered the best
leader ever born on earth. To be more factual..because of his many
policies and plans even today Germany is benefitting..and
progressing.. but do u still accept Hitler? No .. right? so same way
today Modi may be looking great ..but as i iterated before he is a
sinister to the nation.PS: I am not abusing any one. I am historian
and aa little worried about the direstion of affairs in our nation.My
call is a warning to people who is entangled in Moditva.

GUJARAT RIOTS

By: N.V.SANKARAN | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 20:02:53 PM

I have heard people residing in Gujarat, totally apolitical without
any allegiance to Modi/BJP, the Hindutwa organizations or the Congress
saying that, had it not been for Narendra Modi's decisive actions, the
casualties would have been much much more, more than the Delhi riots
where the then congress government remained a mute spectator when more
than three thousand innocent Sikhs were killed in a single location
compare to about 1100 including the rioters all over Gujarat. But,
Indian people or the media cannot live with an honest, and efficient
person running the affairs of the state.
blind towards kahsmiri pandits or fake encounters in MAnipur

By: suchithra | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 15:17:59 PM

Vimal is blind towards kahsmiri pandits or fake encounters in
MAnipur , Maharashtra!

Not aware of facts

By: suchithra | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 15:13:19 PM

You are unaware of facts when you say no one ever got punished in the
2002 riots.Gujarat police fired thousands of bullets to control riots
claiming almost equal lives from both the communities. Army was called
out on the first day of riots.In 2002, 971 out of nearly 60 lacs
muslims lost their lives against nearly 3000 of 12 lacs sikhs in Delhi
1984

"SOME" COPS ARE DIRTY POOPS !

By: Bharat | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:49:08 AM

People are scared of POLICE than terrorists and culprits. Some police
men are behaving as if they are LICENSED CRIMINALS. The judiciary must
punish such scumbags severely. If not the entire police department
will be marked as "gang of licensed culprits" and people will start
taking law in to their control, which is a dangerous phenomenon. No
particular community can be embarrassed with these kind of
humiliations and false attacks.........THIS IS A NEW LEVEL:They
collect haftas from shop keepers, chai walas and even prostitutes.They
share stolen property from thieves(stealing from thieves) They take
percentages from real estate builders.They loot from traveling people,
by standing in the junctions.They did every criminal act wearing that
"HOLY KHAKI UNIFORM"Now THEY ARE KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR
PROMOTIONS AND REWARDS..............THIS IS THE HIGH TIME FOR
OFFICIALS AND GOVERNMENT TO UNEARTH THIS KIND OF WEEDS AND UGLY
ATTITUDE FROM THE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE WAKE UP.
SPTamang

By: Peter | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:45:36 AM

Who is SP Tamang?. Never heard of him before.Seems to have landed from
some Church

Does it Matter

By: Afroz Lateef | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:17:53 AM

Does it really matter where he landed from? He is a magistrate and has
done some good analysis.You cannot hide truth for a long time.....

SPTamang

By: PK | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:17:29 AM

@Peter How many Metropolitan Magistrates have you heard of? This was a
judicial probe, which typically is considered a higher order of
investigation than an FIR. Do you even realize that you're making a
fool of yourself by posting such comments?

people of this country have lost trust in police and law

By: Sameer | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:39:53 AM

people of this country have lost trust in police and law

Faith in Police

By: Prashant - Vadodara | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:59:29 PM

Yes, it is unforunately true. It is high time that the politicians and
police officers should realise this truth and work hard to remove the
impression in the minds of the general public.

Read report

By: Sam | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:36:54 AM

Please read the report there is a lot speculation in it. Well done
before Maharastra elections, Congress- NCP will now win the Maharastra
elections

goondas of police

By: kumar | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:31:17 AM

what is the credibility of this police system.I feel unsafe with this
biased and rotting system

Authenticity of the report and the preparer

By: Bhavesh | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:23:33 AM

It is really good that some report which came in literally so early
(within 2 months!!!) that the investigator forgot to look at the
certain affidavits by Central Govt prepared by help of CBI which were
provided by RAW. Hmmm.Is it the police which is at the fault or it is
being targeted by conveniently overlooking certain facts or
intelligence inputs. It's really funny to see how hard certain section
of our secular society are trying to get over the chief minister of
Gujarat while conveniently overlooking scores of fake encounters in
neighboring states like Maharashtra which is ruled by Congress.Kudos
to those perpetrators and conspirators.Sometime I really wonder, is it
really good to have a secular nation or a nation like US which belives
in GOD (off course Jesus) but there is no dirty politics where few
people try to make their dal-chawal on the dead bodies of
people.Really wonder where secularist were during past riots in
Gujarat where only Hindus were killed?

Authenticity of the report

By: Prashant | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 11:00:09 AM

Bhavesh, wrong-doing by police in Maharashtra does not justify illegal
actions of Gujarat Police. Killing of Hindus in the past in no way
justifies killing of Muslims today. We are living in a civilised and
cultured society and not a barbaric society like Talibans. No religion
has ever taught the doctrine of eye for eye and it is a practice
created by greedy political and some self proclaimed religious heads.

Who is biased

By: dalitindian | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:39:47 AM

Bhavesh- who is justifying fake encounters in any part of the country
or the world? You seems to be thinking that by citing wrongs of other
parties or religions, you can absolve Modi from his fascist
actions.Learn to oppose injustice wherever you see it and then others
will take you seriously.Mere name calling is not an argument.

Stop Biasness.

By: Raj kamal Narwal | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:19:44 AM

Dont shoot or protect on the name of his/her community.Hindustaan is
spoiled by these businessmen politician, does'nt matter which
political group they belongs.Justice/law is used for their political
aim. ........Jai Hind.

Wake Up Call For Modi

By: dalitindian | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:17:05 AM

Modi-Apart from your blind followers in the Hindu fascist organization
of RSS, everyone else in this country whether Hindu, Muslim or
Christian needs evidence and cannot believe you for your word.Answer
the questions raised by the judge or admit that you are a man hunter.

Fake encounter of 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan

By: Javed Sayyed | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:12:47 AM

This is Rediculous in such a democretic country like India as still
people support such evils. This is not the single case in Gujrat which
happened. After killing innocent people they frame fake cases like
terrorist

Why only Gujrat?

By: Paramjeet | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:30:34 AM

Javed, do you know how many innocent were killed by Army / Police in
Punjab and Kashmir....

CBI should probe the case

By: Kamala | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 9:56:22 AM

After this damning Judicial probe report, the case should be handed
over to the CBI for fixing the responsibility on the guilty police
men. Otherwise, people of this country will lose trust on police and
law. This MUST be done ASAP. However, I do not see Modi handing over
the case to CBI when he is already in deep trouble with other Godhra
related cases. Moreover, the report has been made public when Gujurat
is going to by-polls in a few constituency. MODI NEEDS TO OWN UP THE
RESPONSIBILITY.

Punish these State Terrorists

By: Hasan Abidi | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 9:54:03 AM

Who will these State protected terrorists who were on killing spree in
want of promotions and cash awards. 99% encounters which are conducted
in India are fake and took place for the namesake and promotions. Why
should not we brand them as State Terrorists and seek harsh punishment
with death penalty so that others could not dare to kill innocents. My
suggestions to Government of India is to take initiative of recruiting
muslims in large numbers in armed forces, police and intelligence
agencies to check the menace of atrocities inflicted on muslims and
stop its agencies of becoming Hinduised.

Good!

By: Rampujan | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 10:32:16 AM

Great suggetion. Why not have a 100% muslim army and Police, Hasan?

State Terrorists

By: Prashant | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 13:04:14 PM

Dear Hasan, we already have a muslim as the Director General of Police
in Gujarat. What difference does it make unless we have really
committed police officers and goverment servants who can stand up-
right against any indiscipline? Large scale recruitment of muslims or
for that matter of any religion in Police and armed forces will not
solve problems as all muslims are not patriotic and are similar to
those unpatriotic Hindus too.

Good

By: ravi jade | Wed

nesday , 9 Sep '09 10:51:22 AM

Hasan.... Dear please go to any good mental hospital

why are we wasting time and money on terrorists?

By: Ajay | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 9:47:39 AM

A terrorist is a terrorist is a terrorist. Question is, do we want to
create more Afzul gurus?

Thank you

By: pranav kumar | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 9:46:36 AM

Urgent request Mr. Tamang. We are very happy with your brilliant one
man work. Our Law minister Mr. moily is also very happy with you.( A
quotable quote by Hegde about Moily: “The only time he speaks the
truth is when he answers the phone and says ‘Moily
speaking’.”Ramakrishna Hegde was the chief minister, moily tried to
topple leading to famous moily-tape scandal.) But forgot to call the
central government to change its report. Nor did you know you have
implicated Sonia center who told the gujarathi police that this are
terrorists.Now did the pakisthanis cooperate with you, or did you
travel to pakisthan? Our mutton biriyani loving and basmathi loving
Kasab also needs your help. Mr. Antulay tried to help him. But you are
smarter then him.We forgot Afzal guru also needs your help.

Ishrat Jahan terrorist ??

By: anil bharali | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 9:39:07 AM

Let us note the aurguments how Arun Jaitley is going to defend CM
ModI ??

The Cannibals of India

By: Iquebal Ahmed | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 12:08:17 PM

For your information, Mr. Venkayya Naidu is on record. He says ' you
cannot hold responsible the CM for this act of
police' What a joke!

So will you hold your Omar CM for Kashmir Pandits pathetic condition

By: Suchithra | Wednesday , 9 Sep '09 14:33:46 PM

So will you hold your Omar CM for Kashmir Pandits pathetic condition ?
Also what about manipur fake ecounters?Why mum?

Sid Harth

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Gujarat HC stays Tamang report on Ishrat encounter
Agencies

Posted: Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009 at 2016 hrs
Ahmedabad:

Shamima Kausar, mother of Ishrat Jahan (inset), holds a group photo of
the family while standing with her daughter and son in Thane, Mumbai.

The Gujarat High Court stayed metropolitan magistrate S P Tamang's
report which had described as 'fake' the police encounter in which
alleged terror group operative Ishrat Jahan and three others were
killed.

Acting on a a Gujarat government petition seeking a stay on the
report, Justice Kalpesh Javheri said the observations made in the
report were beyond the jurisdiction of the judicial magistrate.

Justice Javheri also ordered the appropriate authority of the High
Court to look into the actions of magistrate Tamang and take necessary
action.

The next hearing of the case is on September 30. However, the court
has given liberty to Ishrat's mother to produce the report before the
three-member committee constituted by the High Court last month to
investigate the encounter.

It further said the report can be considered as evidence by the
committee.

The four persons, claimed to have been killed by the police in an
encounter on the outskirts of the city on June 15, 2004 were Ishrat,
Javed Ghulam Sheikh alias Pranesh Kumar Pillai, Amjad Ali alias
Rajkumar Akbar Ali Rana and Jisan Johar Abdul Gani.

Sid Harth

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Terrorists cannot be killed in cold blood: Union Home Secy
Smaller Agencies

Posted: Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009 at 2006 hrs
New Delhi:

The Ishrat Jahan killing in an alleged fake encounter took a new turn
with a senior official in the Law Ministry removed from his post in
the wake of controversy over the Centre's affidavit in the Gujarat
High Court while the Home Ministry stuck to its guns that the four
were suspects.

As a controversy raged over the killing of the four suspected
terrorists by the Gujarat police in 2004, the Union Home Secretary G K
Pillai, however, said that "terrorists cannot be killed in cold
blood."

Highly-placed sources in the Law Ministry said that the Law Officer,
who had failed to bring the affidavit to the notice of the ministry,
has been removed. The sources, however, did not explain the nature of
the action against the official.

The sources also said that the Home Ministry did not get the affidavit
vetted by the Law Ministry before it was filed in the High Court in
case arising out of a petition filed by Ishrat's mother against the
police.

A magisterial probe into the killing of the four people in June, 2004
on the outskirts of Ahmedabad had on Monday concluded that the
encounter was fake.

The Gujarat government had claimed on Tuesday that the encounter
against the four alleged operatives of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) was
carried out on the basis of information given by central intelligence
agencies.

"Whatever we have given in the affidavit is a fact available with the
Home Ministry...we are not backtracking from the affidavit," Pillai
told reporters in New Delhi.

However, he went on to add that "terrorists cannot be killed in cold
blood", indicating that due process of law had to be followed.

Pillai made it clear that nobody from the Central agencies was
involved in the "so-called encounter". "Home Ministry has nothing to
do with the encounter. We have given facts based on the Intelligence
reports. On that basis, we filed the affidavit in the court," he
said.

Pillai said the Home Ministry was not a party to decide on the
bonafides of the encounter and it was for the court to find out.

Gujarat government had rejected the report insisting that those killed
were LeT operatives and dragged the Centre into the row claiming even
it knew of their alleged terror links.

The Gujarat police had claimed that the four persons -- Ishrat, Javed


Ghulam Sheikh alias Pranesh Kumar Pillai, Amjad Ali alias Rajkumar

Akbar Ali Rana and Jisan Johar Abdul Gani were LeT operatives planning
to carry out terror strikes in the state.

They also claimed that the four persons were on a mission to kill
Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"These people had stayed in hotels as man and wife. If an unmarried
Muslim girl stays in a hotel at night with a married man with three
children, you have to draw your own conclusions," he said.

Sid Harth

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Sep 9, 2009, 3:32:33 PM9/9/09
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Guj govt opposes handing over Sohrabuddin case to CBI
Agencies

Posted: Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009 at 1904 hrs
New Delhi:

Gujarat government opposed handing over the probe into the killing of
Soharabuddin Sheikh in a fake encounter to CBI or Special
Investigating Team (SIT) even as the Supreme Court said there was a
need for going into the bottom of the case to erase all doubts.

"The state has to go to the bottom of the case. The investigation has
to be beyond all doubts," a Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee
and Aftab Alam said.

The Bench said the question of referring the probe to the SIT headed
by former CBI Director R K Raghavan has arisen as there have been
allegations that the investigations by the Gujarat police in the case
is just an "eye-wash" and an attempt to cover up the conspiracy
leading to the killing of Soharbuddin and his wife.

"This is no less disturbing when you admit that this is a fake
encounter," the Bench said when senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi,
appearing for Gujarat government, opposed the suggestion to hand over
the investigations of the case to SIT.

His submission was countered by senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who,
appearing for victim's family, alleged the investigating officer in
the case Geeta Johri, a senior IPS officer, also "betrayed" the trust
reposed on her by the apex court.

He said the victim's family has no trust in the Gujarat Police which
had filed a chargesheet in the case that will lead to the acquittal of
the accused police officers.

Rohatgi had submitted that when the state government has already
admitted that Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter and the
chargesheet has been filed in the case, the role of the apex court in
monitoring the probe comes to an end.

However, the Bench said it was examining the possibility of referring
the case to the SIT as "objectivity and integrity of the investigation
has been questioned".

"Till date, you did not explain how Sohrabuddin's wife Kauser Bi died.
Where is her body. What happened to her," the Bench said, to which
Rohatgi said she was also killed and her body burnt.

Undeterred by the strong remarks of the Bench, Rohatgi said everytime
it cannot be assumed that the Gujarat police are acting with prejudice
and even opposed the option of handing over the case to CBI against
the wishes of the state government.

The senior advocate said the issue relating to the jurisdiction of the
court to refer a case to CBI or any independent agency out of the
state is a matter pending before a Constitution Bench of the apex
court and this fact cannot be overlooked in Soharabuddin case.

However, the Bench wanted to know why the state government was
reluctant to refer the case to SIT as it had not expressed any
reservation when around 10 cases of post-Godhra riots were looked by
the SIT.

Comments (2) |

Have faith in state authorities

By: L.C.Bilandani | 09-Sep-2009 Reply | Forward

Undermining the state govts. authority in investigating gurjarat riots
and sohrabuddin murder case is only because of unnecessary breast
beating and hype bieng created by Human rights people and the press
and the congress alike.Let state govt. work properly on the case
without doubting its credentials.This is just fair deal to the state
investigating agency and if thier authority is undermined, god only
can maintain law and order and no one else can exceptions being Human
rights organisations and the likes.

Sohrabuddin Fake encounter case

By: Suja | 09-Sep-2009

Gujrat government doesn't want to transfer the case to CBI because
they know that truth will come to public if case goes outside the
state, as how truth came in the Ishrat Jahan fake encounter case.

Sid Harth

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Gulberg Society: Jaffri phone records missing, admits SIT
Express News Service

Posted: Wednesday, Sep 09, 2009 at 0348 hrs
Ahmedabad:

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday admitted in the special
fast track court hearing the Gulberg Society case that the telephone
records of slain MP Ehsan Jaffri are either missing or have been
destroyed.

Jafri was killed in the post-Godhra massacre of February 28, 2002, in
which 69 persons were killed.

Special Judge B U Joshi ordered further investigations in the case
under Section 173 (8) of the CrPC after S M Vora, the counsel for the
witnesses and Citizens for Justice and Peace, filed a detailed
application pointing out that SIT investigations were incomplete.

Vora said SIT had failed to complete investigations after the
statement of Tehelka journalist Ashish Khaitan, a witness in the case,
was recorded. It, Vora added, had also failed to investigate station
diary entries, fire brigade register and did not produce Jaffri's
phone diaries. He said questions still abound as to who destroyed his
phone records and when were they destroyed.

Vora, in his application, also detailed the slipshod manner of
recording the panchnamas in the case wherein the roles of several
policemen needed to be investigated.

Sid Harth

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Former Gujarat Minister Writes To SIT To Probe Modi's Role Into
Gujarat Pogrom By Jaspal Singh

Jaspal Singh in the letter has urged the SIT to investigate in details
the communalization of Gujarat and examine the participants (officials
as well as ministers) of the crucial meeting chaired by the Chief
Minister Narendra Modi on the day Godhra carnage occurred. In the
letter Singh named some officers who attended the meeting, and urged
the SIT to examine them

Sid Harth

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Sep 9, 2009, 3:45:37 PM9/9/09
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Ishrat Jahan encounter: Shabnam Hashmi asks Manmohan Singh to
apologize

Submitted by admin on 9 September 2009 - 2:55am.
By Shabnam Hashmi,

An Open Letter to Hon'ble Prime Minister

Dear Dr Manmohan Singh.

I had written a small article in The Hindustan Times in June 2004. It
was called ‘Come Shoot Me: I am a Terrorist’. It was to express my
anguish on Ishrat Jahan’s killing in Gujarat.

The Magisterial Enquiry, which is mandatory in every encounter case
(and which was never done in the Batla House encounter) has finally
termed it Ishrat jahan’s killing as a fake encounter yesterday in a
metropolitan court. It is not a matter of surprise for us as we knew
that she was killed in cold blood. Perhaps you will also agree that
such things are happening and happened in Gujarat under Modi. But I am
not writing to talk about how bad Modi is.

I am writing this to ask you a small favour.

I know you have absolutely hectic schedules and thousands of issues to
handle so I am putting down here the facts, gathered from various
media reports.

On June 15, 2003, the Ahmedabad city crime branch, then headed by the
now jailed IPS officer D G Vanzara, shot four young people –Ishrat
Jahan, Javed Shaikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjad Ali Rana and Jisan
Johar. It was propagated that these four young people were alleged
Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives who were allegedly on mission to kill
chief minister Narendra Modi.

Ishrat, was a 19-year old student of Khalsa College in Mumbra, a
Mumbai suburb.

Ishrat's mother filed a petition in the high court in 2004 demanding
death compensation and a CBI probe. Ishrat Jahan’s mother’s Petition
alleged that it was a fake encounter as one of the many that the
present government regime in Gujarat headed by Narendra Modi had done
to achieve Political Mileage to publicly create panic and sympathy
that the Chief Minister was sought to be assassinated.

The crime branch carried out the operation and the same agency
conducted investigation.

When the petition was heard by Justice KS Jhaveri , he immediately
proposed, almost on line taken by the Supreme Court in the infamous
Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, for which Vanzara was jailed along
with other policemen, that a five-member team - all of the rank of
additional DGP - should probe this case.

The encounter was done by the infamous D. G. Vanzara and his team who
are presently arrested under Orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in
the case of fake encounter of Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausarbi.
Sohrabuddin’s encounter has been admitted by the state to be fake and
recently on 11/08/2008, they have agreed to deposit an amount of Rs.
10.00 Lakhs as interim ex-gratia compensation for being paid to the
Kith and Kin of the two.

There are allegedly 28 encounters which were fake and have been
covered up.

In Ishrat Jahan’s matter the CBI was impleaded as a Party and it took
a stand that if the Court so orders they are willing to carry out
fresh investigations and unearth the truth. Such stand triggered panic
with the State Government and it seems even with some Officers of
Central Home Ministry. After UPA came to power some tainted CBI
officers placed in Gujarat during the NDA with questionable track
record were removed after a lot of pressure and almost two years but
they soon found plush positions in Delhi under UPA regime.

To our dismay we realized last month through the media reports that
the Ministry of Home Affairs in an affidavit stated that Ishrat, Javed
and two others Jisan Johar and Amjad Ali Rana were all operatives of
Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Maintaining that the four were terrorists, the Union government told
the high court, "No proposal for CBI investigation is under
consideration of the Centre nor does it consider the present case fit
for CBI probe."

Moreover, the Centre claimed that there is no question of independent
inquiry, as an additional DGP (CID & Intelligence) had carried out an
independent probe into the incident and the officer is neither working
with crime branch nor is he a subordinate to the crime branch, which
carried out the operation and later investigated the case itself."

If you remember Hon’ble prime Minister when I met you regarding the
Package for the Gujarat 2002 victims along with other activists from
Gujarat I had jokingly said, “The news that UPA has replaced NDA at
the centre has not reached your Home Ministry as yet’. I had said this
precisely in the connection of how the tainted officers promoted by
the BJP were still being pampered under the UPA.

The reason behind filing of the Affidavit by the Central Government
was to dissuade the Court from appointing a strong S I T and give a
message that even the Central Government had approved the act of fake
encounter. But for the magisterial enquiry the Central Home Ministry
had left no stone unturned to prove that Ishrat deserved to be killed.

The logic used always is what will happen to the morale of the
officers. My question is what happens to the morale of the officers
when they torture innocent young people, when they kill them, when
they illegally detain them, beat them. What happens to their morale
then? Do they just go home and sleep?

Why don’t we as nation stop playing the farce of being a secular
nation and why don’t we remove the article from the constitution which
says all citizens are equal?

The affidavit filed by the Home Ministry is a proof of the fact that
in Ishrat Jahan’s fake encounter case UPA has connived with the
Gujarat government in a blatantly communal manner. With 3 days to go
before assembly bye election in 7 seats in Gujarat 5 more innocent
boys have been picked up in Baroda and declared' terrorists'.

I do not know if this letter will be also lost on the way and find
itself in a dustbin as I have never received any acknowledgment from
your office, so I will be forced to circulate it to others to lodge a
strong protest against this blatant connivance of the Home Ministry
with the Gujarat government.

My request to you is that if your government has any political will
then please ask your home ministry to tender a public apology for
filing the affidavit against the innocent girl who was so brutally
murdered. It requires some courage and conviction.

You are fond of poetry.

Faiz ke chand lines apki nazar kar rahi hoon:

Tujh ko kitnon ka lahoo chahiye ae arz-i-watan, Jo tiray arz-i-berang
ko gulnaar karein
Kitni aahon se kaleja tira thanda hoga, Kitne aansoo tiray sehraon ko
gulzaar karein

(The blood of how many do you need O motherland;That which will
brighten your colourless earth; How many sighs will soothe your heart;
How many tears will cause your deserts to bloom.)

Sincerely Yours,
Shabnam Hashmi
Member, National Integration Council

Sid Harth

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Former IPS, Gujarat minister writes to SIT to probe CM’s role into the
riots
Submitted by mumtaz on 8 September 2009 - 12:34am.

By TwoCircles.net News Desk,

New Delhi: The mayhem in Gujarat was the result of a thoroughly
thought-out, elaborate and heinous strategy to communalise the society
at large in Gujarat, with a view to derive political benefits,” writes
ex-IPS and former Cabinet Minister of Gujarat Jaspal Singh to the
Supreme Court-appointed SIT that is looking into the role of Chief
Minister Narendra Modi and his ministerial colleagues and police
officers in the Gujarat 2002 riots.

Jaspal Singh, who has been Commissioner of Police and then Mayor of
Vadodara, wrote the letter on September 7, 2009 to Dr. R.K. Raghavan,
Chairman, Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Singh in the letter has urged the SIT to investigate in details the
communalization of Gujarat and examine the participants (officials as
well as ministers) of the crucial meeting chaired by the Chief
Minister Narendra Modi on the day Godhra carnage occurred. In the
letter Singh named some officers who attended the meeting, and urged

the SIT to examine them. They include: Smt.Swarnakanta Varma, IAS, the
then Acting Chief Secretary, Mr. Ashok Narayan, IAS, the then Home
Secretary, Dr. P.K. Mishra, IAS, the then Principal Secretary to the
CM, Mr. Anil Mukim, IAS & Mr.A.K.Sharma, IAS, Secretaries to CM and
Mr.P.C. Pande, IPS, then Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad.

Full text of Singh’s letter to SIT:

Sir,

Sub: Gujarat Riots of 2002 – Action thereon

Apropos my letter dated Jun 06, 2009, I write to compliment you for
pursuing investigations in to the Gujarat riots of 2002 with vigour by
recording statement of Mrs.Zakia Jafri, widow of late of Mr.Ehsan
Jafri, a former member of the Parliament, Shri R.B.Sreekumar, IPS
(Retd), former DGP of Gujarat, and Mr.Rahul Sharma a serving IPS
officer of Gujarat cadre. While the progress of the case does bring
some comfort to the victims of the genocide unleashed in Gujarat, lot
more remains to be done as expeditiously as possible, so as to instil
a sense of hope in the hearts and minds of Indians, that the rule of
law would be respected and no one would be spared for flouting it. The
happenings of 2002 have brought shame and disgrace of unfathomable
proportions, and only investigation by the SIT under your command can
redeem the honour of the country.

I list below some of the matters which need to be investigated in
detail in pursuance of trust reposed in you, and your team by the
Hon’ble Apex Court. Your efforts will assuage the terribly dented
image of our great country, and hence your responsibility is immense.
As a retired IPS officer I consider it a matter of pride that the job
to redeem the honour of the country has been entrusted to the SIT
headed by a IPS officer. The outcome of the SIT’s investigation and
actions following it may prove to be a benchmark in the history of our
country.

1. Communalisation of Gujarat: The mayhem in Gujarat was the result of
a thoroughly thought out elaborate and heinous strategy to communalise
the society at large in Gujarat, with a view to derive political
benefits. Towards that end the exclusivist, fundamentalist and
sectarian pseudo religious groups among Hindus and Muslims played a
leading role, aided and abetted by those at the helm.

2. Examiniation of participants in the crucial meeting chaired by the
CM – Narendra Modi:
Examination of the following persons is crucial for the purpose of the
SIT:
a) Smt.Swarnakanta Varma IAS, the then Acting Chief Secretary
b) Mr.Ashok Narayan, IAS, the then Home Secretary
c) Dr.P.K.Mishra, IAS, the then Principal Secretary to the CM
d) Mr.Anil mukim, IAS & Mr.A.K.Sharma, IAS Secretaries to CM
e) Mr.P.C.Pande IPS, then Commissioner of Police Ahmedabad
f) Shri K.Chakravarty, IPS, the then DG of Police, Gujarat
g) Shri G.C.Raiger, IPS, the then Addl. DGP of Gujarat
h) Shri Nityanand, IPS, Secretary in the Home Department.

3. Representative of CBI: The SIT must examine Shri Rajendrakumar, the
then Jt.Director, Central Intelligence Bureau (CBI) in charge of
Gujarat who had insisted on the state DGP to deem the burning of the
train at Godhra as a terrorist act mounted by the ISI.

4. Examination of Ministers: Examine all those ministers of Shri Modi
Government about the details of the meeting held at the residence of
the CM on 27.02.2002, including the then Minister of State for Home
Shri Govardhan Zadapiya who had admitted in the State Assembly about
the meeting convened by the CM. It may be mentioned that the State
Assembly was in session on the day the tragic events took place at
Godhra. This can be verified from the official records of the State
Assembly. This will clarify that the CM had directed the officers to
permit free play of Hindu revengefulness on the Muslims (Reference to
June 03, 2002 issue of the weekly – Outlook).

5. Whether prompt action taken: Examine whether there was delay in
requisitioning army and central para military forces with a view to
give free hand to the anti Muslim rioters.

6. Law and order Review meeting minutes: Examine the minutes of the
law and order review meetings chaired by the CM, the Chief Secretary,
and the DGP jointly, or otherwise and subsequent follow up action by
subordinate officers in the police department, and executive
magistracy from District Magistrates to Mamalatdars. If minutes were
not kept it would be obvious that monitoring of the implementation of
decisions could not haven been done.

7. Follow up action: Examine how the monitoring of the implementations
of the decisions in these review meetings was done by the CM to DGP
without minutes of these meetings.

8. Media reports – sources: Conduct deeper probe in to the source of
media reports about the meeting chaired by the CM, where the CM
directed the officials to be soft on Hindu rioters.

Investigation on the above lines could provide evidence of extra
judicial confessions.

Some further investigations that are necessary are:

a) Examination of documents on the communications between and among
the CM’s office, CS Office, Home department, DGP Office and the
Commissioners of Police of Ahmedabad, Baroda, and SPs of major riot
affected districts in the period from 27.02.2002 to 31.05.2002.
Similar correspondence from the relevant police stations to district /
commissionrate level officers also be examined to find out whether
there were major omissions and commissions to facilitate the Pogram
against the Muslims

b) Examination of documents on communications between the DGP and the
State Control room in Gandhinagar, and the Commissionarates, besides
offices of the DSPs, Addl. DGP (Intelligence)

c) Examination of entries in the registers and log books of the police
patrol vehicles in cities and important towns.

d) Examination of documents on various incidents and action reported
by DGP and CP Ahmedabad and riot affected districts to their higher
officers.

e) Examination of reports by DGP, Home department, Chief Secretary,
ADGO (Intelligence) to the Central Government and to find out veracity
of reports and efforts of anyone to suppress truth.

f) It is on record that the Gujarat State intelligence branch had sent
daily reports to Shri B.K.Haldar, Jt. Secy, MHA, New Delhi from
13.03.2002 onwards. Besides, daily reports which were sent on various
specific incidents that took place in Gujarat. A study of these
reports will indicate that there was anti-minority prejudice explicit
in the actions of the state police which prompted them to avoid arrest
of Hindu rioters and concentrating on penalising the Muslims. Analysis
of the statistics prepared by the Add. D.G., Intelligence, Gujarat in
the form of daily reports will reveal that the casualties in the
police action weighed heavily against the Muslims, as also the
destruction and damage to properties.

g) Action must be taken to procure data regarding representations from
the riot affected people and general public received through phone
calls, written complaints and personal representations from 27.02.2002
to 31.05.2002. It is also necessary to examine the quality and
character of response to these by the enforcing officers. In case
responses are found to be inadequate, and unprofessional, an adverse
inference can be drawn against the concerned officers.

h) Examination of documents on meetings held by CP, Ahmedabad and
other police commissionarates and affected districts during the same
period to find out the nature of instructions given and decisions
taken thereon and the extent of their implementation.

i) Examination of concerned officers from DGP to field officers at the
police station level on their failure to comply with the directions
and instructions on handling of communal situation in Gujarat as per
Gujarat State Police Manual Vol-III, Rule 21 to 31, and DGP Gujarat’s
booklet on “Criminal Riots – Strategy and Approach” forwarded to all
senior police officers by the then DGP Shri K.V.Joseph vide his letter
No. SB/49/1050/1175 dated 19.11.1997, compilation of Government
instructions captioned –“Criminal Peace”, and recommendations of
Justice Reddy Commission and the Commission headed by Justice Dave.

j) Officers in charge of areas where large scale violence happened
should explain the reason for their dereliction of duties in violation
of the provisions of Gujarat Police Manual Vol-III, Rules 24, 134, 135
and 136. It is relevant to note that such culpable connivance by
government functionaries with the rioters had prompted the Apex Court
to portray the Gujarat bureaucracy as modern day Neros and the Hon’ble
Supreme Court had actively intervened to correct the aberrations by
ordering :

i) Transfer of Bilkisbano rape case to CBI in April 2004
ii) Transfer of Bilkisbano and Best Bakery cases to Maharashtra in
April 2004.
iii) Review of 2000 odd closed cases (August 2004)
iv) Creation of SIT to reinvestigate 9 major carnage cases (March
2008)
v) Order of the Supreme Court to the SIT to investigate on all points
contained in the complaint filed by Mrs.Jafre (April 2009)

k) SIT should go in to the series of circumstances indicating criminal
motive of the CM, Gujarat and his collaborators in projecting the
Godhra train fire incident as an outcome of conspiracy by ISI and a
terrorist act. There is sufficient evidence to prove that even before
the investigating or intelligence agency had any information about
conspiracy behind the Godhra fire, the CM, Gujarat, a national leader
of BJP, declared it to be a consequence of conspiracy. This is the
starting point of anti minority carnage. The CM made a statement in
the state assembly that the Godhra train incident was a pre-planned
terrorist act and was a result of a conspiracy.

l) In fact the Gujarat police brought out the questionable conspiracy
element only by the end of March 2002. The Apex Court had not
supported the Gujarat State Government’s application of provisions of
the then prevailing POTA on the accused of the Godhra train fire.

m) Revelations by some witnesses in the Godhra train fire case in the
operation ‘kalank’ brought out by ‘Tehelka’ magazine about the Gujarat
police bribing them to give false evidence. The then Home Secretary
Mr.G.C.Murmu, and Government pleader Mr.Arvind Pandya tried to tutor
the then Addl. DGP. Shri R.B.Sreekumar to support Government’s
conspiracy theory during his cross examination by the Nanavati
Commission. The then Godhra Collector Ms.Jayanti Ravi openly stated
that the Godhra incident was criminal and she did not mention either
about the conspiracy or it being a terrorist act.

n) In fact in my view the ill motivated declaration of ISI being
behind this conspiracy was a part of the larger conspiracy to
perpetuate genocidal crimes against the minority community for
ensuring political consolidation of the majority community in favour
of the BJP to procure electoral dividends. Simultaneously the Sangh
Parivar could achieve their ever pursued hidden agenda of treating the
Muslim minority as second class citizens. Having denied proper relief
and rehabilitation in pre-riot vocations/trades, commerce and
agriculture, many riot victims were forced to compromise with the
perpetrators of the violence and consequently not even 25% of the
cases reviewed on the Apex Court’s orders could end up in prosecution
of accused persons.

o) Abnormality and impropriety in the following actions by Shri Modi
government after the Godhra incident need to be uncovered, as they are
linked to the plans to inflict maximum damage on the Muslims.

I. A condolence resolution was passed in the state assembly to condone
those who were killed in the train fire, though no person for whom
such resolutions are customary were killed.

II. No condolence resolution was passed to condone the death of Ehsan
Jafri, a former MP as was customary. This was in total violation of
legislative norms.

III. No discussion in the state assembly on the riots was held for
over 10 days as the assembly remained closed during the period.

IV. The CM and BJP leaders supported the Gujarat Bandh call given by
the VHP on 28.02.2002.

V. Neither the CM or any senior BJP leader made any appeal for peace
on the eve of the Bandh on 28.02.2002.

VI. Parading of dead bodies of Godhra fire victims in Ahmedabad city
was done in violation of all regulations in this connection. Please
enquire in to how the dead bodies were handed over to unauthorised
persons viz. VHP leaders and not the legally entitled kin of the
diseased. SIT should procure all documentary evidence about the whole
process viz. Which officer had released the dead bodies to the VHP.
Please procure and confiscate the relevant records immediately. Who
were the persons who received the bodies, why unidentified dead bodies
were also handed over to such unauthorised persons. The concerned
officers be asked to produce the details of Government order, if any,
in this connection. In case relevant officers take the cover of non
availability of records, they should be prosecuted for deliberate
destruction of evidence.

p) Mr.P.C.Pande the then Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad should be
examined on the following fatal acts of negligence facilitating the
blood bath in Ahmedabad city.

I. Non initiation of preventive measures as per numerous instructions
including those in Gujarat Police Manual etc. from 27.02.2002 onwards
when anti minority riots started.

II. Why imposition of curfew on 28.02.2002 was delayed up to 1300
Hours?

III. Why no redeployment of the SRP and additional police force was
not done on 28.02.2002? The SRP continued to be at the same places as
they were before.

IV. Please examine as to what follow up action he had taken on the
state IB reports as cited in the affidavits filed by the then Addl.
DGP Intelligence.

V. What further action did he take on his letters to the DGP, and the
Secretary Home, about the role of VHP in fomenting trouble and
extortion of protection money from miscreants.

q) Examine the officers of the state intelligence branch Ahmedabad
City and other major riot affected areas as to whether they reported
the anti minority stance of the police at the ground level during and
after the riots resulting in non registration of FIRs by the riot
victims. Misinformation of the intensity of crimes, clubbing of
numerous offences as just one single incident.

r) Not arresting Hindu accused promptly, and not taking them on remand
for collecting additional evidence, and recovery of looted or stolen
property.

s) Prejudicial stand of Special Public Prosecutors some of who were
office bearers of the Sangh Parivar.

t) Examine the officers in charge of the riot affected areas regarding
the instructions given by them in response to distress calls from the
riot victims, monitoring of the implementation of these instructions,
any disciplinary action taken against anybody for non compliance etc.
Examination of relevant documents in the CP or SP offices, Offices of
Range DIGs/IGs and SDPOs, and police station officers absolutely
imperative.

u) Electronic and print media had brought out graphically the pictures
of parading of dead bodies, ghastly scenes of riots etc. These be
procured and analysed, and further probes be done like arresting those
found indulging in violence.

v) Many Sangh Parivar leaders and accused in anti minority carnage had
boasted about their active involvement in the riots to Shri Ashish
Khaitan, the Tehelka correspondent in the video. Make further
inquiries about the information brought out in operation ‘kalank’.
These revelations are extra judicial confessions. The forensic test of
all these persons is also necessary.

w) Please examine state home department officials and DGP, Shri
K.Chakravarty about follow up action initiated by them on the state IB
reports regarding prejudices of the state police against the riot
victims. Please examine Home Secretary Shri Ashok Narain, as to what
action he had taken on the demand by the National Minority Commission
about highly inciting and incendiary speech of the CM in 2002.

x) Please examine the Secretary, Law Department for appointing
supporters and office bearers of the Sangh Parivar as Special Public
Prosecutors to present cases against the accused belonging to Hindu
community.

y) Please examine the District Magistrates of relevant districts as to
why they recommended supporters and office bearers of the Sandh
Parivar for appointment as Police Public prosecutors to the state law
department.

z) Please examine the Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi, about the
details of instructions given by him to the Chief Secretary, Home
department officials and the DGP during the riots and subsequently.
Did he notice any acts of omission or commission by such officers, if
so what action he had initiated to correct the system and discipline
those who derelicted their duties. Did the CM initiate any curative
measures to redress the grievance of the victims before the
intervention by the NHRC, the Apex Court, and the national level
bodies. If no such action was taken, then this must be deemed as part
of a conspiracy to perpetuate violence on the Muslim minority and
subversion of criminal justice system. Please examine Mr.Modi on the
action taken by him about malicious role of one of his cabinet
ministers, Mr.Bharat Barot in inciting anti minority violence as
reported by the CP, Ahmedabad.

It is quite likely that the Government functionaries who collaborated
with the CM and the Sangh Parivar in executing anti minority violence
will refuse to provide relevant evidence to the SIT. Therefore the SIT
will have to depend on the documentary evidence in Government and
police records heavily. Once clear picture about planning and
execution of conspiracy emerges, the relevant culprits should be
confronted and their forensic test be carried out.

I strongly feel that a few officers known for their competence,
professionalism and integrity need to be inducted in to the SIT from
the Gujarat Police. The supervisory officers in the SIT at present are
handicapped by their lack of knowledge Gujarati language. To overcome
this problem I would strongly recommend the induction of the following
officers in to the SIT.
1. Mr.Satish Verma, IPS 1986
2. Mr.Rahul Sharma, IPS 1992
3. Mr.Rajnish Rai, IPS 1992
4. Dr.(Mrs) Neerja Gotru Rao, IPS 1993 and
5. Mr.Hasmukh N. Patel, IPS 1993
For probing points contained in the complaint filed by Mrs Jafri.

Any failure by the Indian Judicial system to bring under the clutches
of law, the real planners and executioners of anti-minority genocide
in 2002 would further energise anti Indian forces internationally and
particularly those jihadi groups who have been denigrating the Indian
State authorities for their failure to protect the minority community.
The Islamic terrorists who had claimed responsibility for explosions
and terror acts throughout India since 2002 have declared their
dastardly acts as revenge and retribution for Gujarat genocide. These
groups will fully capitalise on any situation which will provide
immunity from prosecution to the CM, Shri Narendra Modi and his aides
and attract frustrated riot victims to their camps to the detriment of
our national interest.

Praying for expeditious actions on the above suggestions/requests.

Yours sincerely,

Jaspal Singh IPS (Retd)
4, Green Park, Akota, Vadodara 390020
Telephone: 0265 2332555
Email: jaspalo...@yahoo.com

[Photo: cache.daylife.com & lh4.ggpht.com]

.Very Good job

Submitted by Zia Rikarty (not verified) on 9 September 2009 - 1:05am.

Mr. Jaspal Singh you have done very great & Commendable job by giving
never ending detail list of special examination of various Government
officers and ministers involved in Gujarat riots of 2002.

If it was possible to me i would have written your appreciation in
Golden words.

Now i hope that SIT will take very serious note of your issues being
raised in Investigating the Gujarat cases in a very tranperancy and
give justice to the victims and Punish the culprits rigoriously.

Thank you very much Mr. Jaspal Singh

reply.hat's of to u jaspal sir u r

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 9 September 2009 - 5:29am.

hat's of to u jaspal sir u r a true indian not only by words but with
heart

reply.Why blame only modi, when he

Submitted by Dr.Tariq Hameed (not verified) on 9 September 2009 -
1:03am.

Why blame only modi, when he has so many friends n supporters in
central govt of cong? At least he is doin these things openly n what
his extremist hindu voters want him to do. But cong is back stabbing
muslims. They take their votes n file affidavits in courts making
innocent muslims terrorists. Cong is again back to its old ways. We
need to be extra careful as this snake is very dangerous but behaves
as nonpoisonous.

reply.Modi should be hanged in Public

Submitted by Prathiba (not verified) on 8 September 2009 - 2:52pm.

The notorious terrorist and criminal Narendra Modi's butcherism is
already exposed. Hundreds of Indians killed in fake encounters,
directed by Modi and executed by his Police officers.

If India has the ability to provide justice to the People of India, an
immediate trial - prosecution - should begin. If these notorious
terrorists found guilty, Narendra modi and his police officers should
be hanged in Public.

Still Central government is watching the game. How long they will
allow the rule of a terrorist and butcher in a state?

Before Indian people taking the arms, do the justice.

reply.Prathiba -go to Pakistan for public hanging

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on 9 September 2009 - 5:05pm.

Prathiba -must go to Pakistan for public hanging. It does not happen
in India. Mr MODI has adequate public support to keep him the CM of
GUJARAT eternally and may be make him the PM of India. India is NOT
Pakistan for BHUTTO like hanging.

>>Hundreds of Indians killed in fake encounters>>>

What about 1000s of innocent Indians killed by ISLAMIC TERRORIST???
Could it have been possible for the Islamic terrorist to strike
without "local support" including the 26/11 attack?? India is NOT
resorting to MISSILE attack to kill terrorist like AFPAK is doing
killing everyone including women and children.

reply.Dear Anonymous Why are u so

Submitted by Zia Rikarty (not verified) on 9 September 2009 -
11:50pm.

Dear Anonymous

Why are u so scared of mentioning your name if u r an true Indian like
us then u must mention ur Name while commenting on such issues, why r
u doing things like back stabbing while commenting on such
importantsue by hiding your identity.

Why u r so angry when sister Pratibha suggested for public hanging for
real culprit Mr. Modi for killing thousands if innocent muslims in
riots and fake encounters.

Really its true that fake people like u wants to support the number
one terrorist who terrorised entire Gujarat during Communal riots in
2002 and make him the CM and now dreaming him to make even PM which
will always remain a dream.

Brother Anonymous please dont say ISLAMIC TERRORIST just say TERRORIST
because ISLAM is not preaching terrorism and whoever is responsible
for all recent Terrorist attacks for the killings of 1000s of innocent
Indians should be hanged publicly if found guilty by the court with
transperncy in prosecution instead of framing any Innocent for the
sake of acheiving results in terrorist attack.

when i have an oppinion of hanging the real culprits of terrorist
attcks then why should u get annoyed when some one suggest to hang mr.
Modi for his Terrorist acts of killing innocent Indian Muslims. which
actually u project him as a National hero for such Killings, very
good.

As far as 26/11 terrorist atttack iS concernend u r true it is not
possible without strong and highly influential locaL SUPPORT which
means very high level of support any TOM DICK AND HARRY cannot take
our cemmercial city at task without internal support of very high
influential people please go through in detail of it and what do u
think who had an enemity of Brave ATS chief Mr. Hemant Karkare Mr.
Kasab or some one else whom he was probing for different other
terrorist attacks in other parts of country please open your eyes dont
just simply believe what others are saying judge urself the truth.

Its true Pak is resorting missile attack to kill terrorist and other
women and children, what about enemies within our nation who killed
1000s innocent women and children who will punish them.

reply.India is a Great Nation

Submitted by Prathiba (not verified) on 9 September 2009 - 7:05pm.

Dear Anonymous,

Do you India? India's culture and civilization? India can't forgive
the terrorists like Narendra Modi, who contrlled the notorious killers
who stabed even pregnent women and take out the wombs by trishool and
burnt.

India can't forgive such incidents ever and the death merchant should
be hanged to death in public or stoned to death in public. Though he
has support from the uneducated people, one day the people will
recognize the devil in its right form.

Then our Great Indian people will chase that blood thirsty devil
terrorist Narendra Modi. Wait for the Dawn in India.

India is not for such womb eaters, let that devil go to somewhere, but
not in India.

...and I am Sid harth

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 6:10:56 PM9/9/09
to
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_tamang-a-hero-for-lawyers_1288692

Tamang, a hero for lawyers
Roshan Kumar / DNAWednesday, September 9, 2009 9:47 IST

Ahmedabad: Metropolitan magistrate SP Tamang who conducted the probe
into the killings of Ishrat Jahan and three others has become a hero
among the lawyers.

Tamang was promoted and appointed as metropolitan magistrate at
Gheekanta on June 11, 2007. Tamang, who hails from Darjeeling, has
lived in Ahmedabad since his birth as his parents had settled in the
city. His father was employed by Western Railway.

Tamang joined Bar and worked under advocate HL Joshi at metro court.
He, however, worked at Gheekanta for only two months and joined the
high court. In 1997, he cleared the examination for judicial services
and was appointed JMEC at Bhavnagar.

He lives in Chandkheda with his wife and a nine-year-old son. Lawyers
at metro court term Tamang as an honest and straightforward man.

Copyright permission mandatory to republish this article.
For reprint rights click here

...and I am Sid Harth

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 9, 2009, 6:48:34 PM9/9/09
to
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Editorial/Encounter-Killings/articleshow/4988427.cms

Encounter Killings

9 Sep 2009, 0216 hrs IST, ET Bureau

The latest revelation that top-ranking policemen in Gujarat murdered
four citizens — including Ishrat Jahan, a teenage college student — in
cold

blood for 'selfish motives', should lead to total abrogation of the
practice of 'encounters' in the country.

For, even as the backdrop of searing communal polarisation in Gujarat
under Narendra Modi's watch makes this particular case all the more
significant, and despicable, the issue itself is older and more
widespread.

There are too many past instances of the police, in various states,
resorting to fake encounters in the name of fighting terrorism or
ordinary crime, often killing innocents in the process. And nothing
can be more heinous, or signify a complete collapse of the most basic
democratic ideals, than when those charged with the protection of
citizens turn murderers.

True, India has been battling insurgencies and terrorists of many hues
for long. Yet, a system that almost institutionalises the use of
veritable death squads more befits ruthless dictatorships rather than
a country flaunting its democratic values and processes.

And the latter can only be genuinely preserved by an insistence on the
comprehensive enforcement of law and justice even for the most
hardened killer or terrorist. The ongoing trial of Ajmal Kasab, for
instance, is precisely what that means. The 'encounter' way of
'delivering justice' on the other hand, effectively reduces a state to
the level of the terrorist.

That this method of countering crime or terrorism has become almost
acceptable in public consciousness reflects a deep malaise in our
polity. Given the lure of rewards for such 'kills', police forces (or
other law enforcement agencies) have proven to be susceptible to
targeting innocent citizens.

And in the case of Gujarat — this being the second fake encounter case
involving the state police during Modi's rule that is being probed
again — that malaise has only manifested itself in an extreme form.

True, the government has refuted the findings of the magisterial
report — much as it did with earlier reports pointing to its
complicity in the carnage of 2002. It is also a moot point what
culpability all these probes will finally be able to establish. But
the wheels of justice, even if slowly, must surely grind forward.

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 10, 2009, 3:50:41 AM9/10/09
to
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Woman-moves-SC-for-probe-into-custodial-death/articleshow/4992292.cms

Woman moves SC for probe into 'custodial death'
TNN 10 September 2009, 02:50am IST

AHMEDABAD: The city police are in a spot after a writ petition
accusing them of custodial death was filed in Supreme Court. The
petitioner has sought thorough probe into the case and constitution of
a judicial commission to investigate all such custodial deaths,
including fake encounters.

The petitioner, Mariam Kasim Jaffer Hussain, has claimed that the city
police carried out a raid on a Hotel Royal on April 13, 2006 and
detained 18 persons, including her husband Kasim who had a tiff with
police officer JM Bharwad.

After being taken to Shahibaug, Kasim was brutally beaten up and taken
away from the detention centre. "Other people who were with my husband
were conveyed that Kasim had escaped from police custody. On April 17,
his body was found in Shahibaug area. A note was issued that an
unknown person has been killed in an accident and persons who know him
should approach police for identification," Mariam said.

She claimed that when they found the body, a bullet wound was found in
Kasim's head. She has alleged that her husband was killed during
police custody.

Mariam said she along with an NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace filed
a writ petition in the SC and urged the court to join them as party in
an application pending by Javed Akhtar demanding probe in all Gujarat
encounter killings.

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 10, 2009, 3:54:12 AM9/10/09
to
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Encounter-of-2-Hindus-reaches-SC/articleshow/4992286.cms

Encounter of 2 Hindus reaches SC
TNN 10 September 2009, 02:49am IST

AHMEDABAD: The case of Gujarat police's 2003 encounter of two men,
both Hindus, has reached the Supreme Court.

Police claim that Ganesh Khunte and Mahendra Jadhav, who were killed
on June 23, 2003 near Panchkuva by the city police, were terrorists
and planning to assassinate the then BJP minister Ashok Bhatt and
Dariapur MLA Bharat Barot allegedly to avenge the 2002 riots. Five
persons were tried later under Pota for providing logistic support to
Khunte and Jadhav, but the special court acquitted them in 2006 of
terror charges and punished them for possessing arms only.

Interestingly, the Pota court held that Jadhav and Khunte were not
terrorists, but held that the encounter was a genuine one.

Six years after the incident, Jadhav's mother Sumitra and the rights
organisation Citizens for Justice and Peace have filed a writ petition
in the apex court under Article 32 of the Constitution in public
interest. In their petition, it is claimed that the Gujarat police's
cold blooded killings are dubbed as encounter with terrorists and a
judicial inquiry should be instituted into these cases.

During a media briefing on Wednesday, Sumitra disclosed that her son
had come to Gujarat to find a job. He became a victim of a racket run
from jails, as a woman named Fatima offered him a job in Ahmedabad and
later informed the Gujarat police that he along with Khunte be killed
and dubbed as terrorists.

The family members also revealed that Jadhav was convicted for killing
a relative earlier and spent eight years behind bars.

The former DGP, RB Sreekumar, said that the state government had
adopted encounter killing as political strategy to gain sympathy for
the chief minister.

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 10, 2009, 3:57:58 AM9/10/09
to
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Magistrate-overreached-HC/articleshow/4992289.cms

'Magistrate overreached HC'
TNN 10 September 2009, 02:50am IST

AHMEDABAD: Proceedings in the high court lasted more than two hours
after the Gujarat government challenged the magistrate's report which
exposed its police officers in yet another encounter case.

The angry high court judge was of the opinion that the magistrate's
inquiry is "overreaching" the high court order. The state government
was banking on two senior counsels, including the advocate general, to
defend the policemen accused in the report for killing Ishrat and
raising questions on "propriety" of lower court judge's conduct. One
of the police officers involved in encounter - the then assistant
commissioner of police GL Singhal - wanted to become a party in the
proceedings, even as the high court kept pulling up the Centre's
counsels. All senior cops of the city crime branch were also present
during the hearing.

In the end, Ishrat's mother, Shamima Kausar's advocate had to defend
magistrate Tamang's report against comments that the judicial officer
had done his job in haste. After a heated discussion, the judge
refrained from making any observation against the magistrate.

chhotemianinshallah

unread,
Sep 10, 2009, 4:02:01 AM9/10/09
to
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4984109.cms

Disgraced cop's plot gone phut
TNN 8 September 2009, 02:12am IST

l Three days before Jagannath rath yatra in 2004, there were rumours
the Ahmedabad crime branch will do something "spectacular". Early on
June 15, now jailed IPS officer DG Vanzara and his men said four LeT
operatives out to kill chief minister Narendra Modi had been shot dead
after a dramatic chase

l Police said they found automatic weapons, ammunition, satellite
phones & "coconuts dipped in chemical", meant to be used as improvised
explosive devices during Rath Yatra

l The story Vanzara gave out then was that the encounter took place
around 4.30 am near Kotarpur waterworks after the police chased the
terrorists who were in a blue Indica

l The crime branch team was in a Maruti Gypsy, headed by ACPs Narendra
Amin and

G L Singhal, chasing the Indica which allegedly rammed into a divider

l The cops said "terrorist" Akbarali Rana jumped out and fired at the
cops from an

AK-56. He was gunned down immediately and the others were shot dead
while still inside

l The car bore several bullet marks and its windscreen and windows
were smashed. Blood was splattered all over the seats, with one pistol
lying on the back seat while another was near the driver's seat

l The cops escaped unscathed with only some bullet marks on the Gypsy
to bear testimony of this encounter. Vanzara said the encounter was
based on intelligence inputs regarding the movement of a fidayeen
squad

l The police said Javed Shaikh, alias Pranesh Pillai, who was among
those killed, was from Pune and had done a recce of Modi's resi-dence
and office at least three times. The girl was not identified
immediately.

l The other two, whose bodies were not claimed, were identified by
Vanzara as Jishan Johar alias Jan-baaz alias Abdul Ghani from
Gujranwala district and Amjadali Ak-barali Rana alias Salim from
Haveli Diwan. Both, he had claimed, were Pakistanis.

bademiyansubhanallah

unread,
Sep 10, 2009, 4:53:48 AM9/10/09
to
http://www.twocircles.net/2009sep08/centre_endorsed_gujarats_stance_ishrat_says_bjp.html

Centre endorsed Gujarat's stance on Ishrat, says BJP
Submitted by admin4 on 8 September 2009 - 8:55pm.
By IANS,

New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday said the centre
had endorsed the Gujarat government's stance that Mumbai collegian
Ishrat Jahan and three others killed in a 2004 Ahmedabad shootout were
terrorists. It insisted that a magistrate's probe report that the
Gujarat police shot them in cold blood was not final.

"The central government one month back accepted that Ishrat was a
terrorist....(the) Government of India and ministry of home affairs
came out clearly to say that they (Ishrat and three friends) were part
of the conspiracy," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad told
reporters here.

Insisting that the shootout was not fake, he said it was "correct" and
a "legally required encounter."

Earlier, the Gujarat government, citing a union home ministry
affidavit of last month, claimed that the four had links with Lashkar-
e-Taiba (LeT) and were tasked to organise terror attacks in India,
including in Gujarat and Maharashtra, besides targeting national and
state leaders.

On June 15, 2004, Ishrat from Mumbra in Thane district and her three
friends - Javed Ghulam Sheikh alias Pranesh Kumar Pillai, Amjad Ali
alias Rajkumar Akbar Ali Rana and Jisan Johar Abdul Gani - were shot
dead by Ahmedabad Police's Crime Branch (Detection) on the outskirts
of the city.

However, Ahmedabad's metropolitan magistrate S.P. Tamang's inquiry
report released Monday asserted there was no shootout between the four
youngsters and the police. The report added that the four students
were kidnapped from Mumbai June 12, 2004, and killed in cold blood two
days later, victims of extra-judicial killing by law enforcers.

Refusing to comment on the magistrate's probe report, Prasad said the
report "was not final."

Hinting at a political conspiracy, Prasad said: "Some people have
problem with (Narendra) Modi's (Gujarat chief minister) name because
he has done development work. But the democratic results of Gujarat
are well known."

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 4:57:01 AM9/10/09
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http://twocircles.net/2009sep09/appease_hindu_votes_maha_cong_govt_withdraws_cbi_probe_hari_masjid_firing.html

To appease Hindu votes Maha Cong Govt withdraws CBI probe in Hari
Masjid firing
Submitted by admin4 on 10 September 2009 - 12:15pm.
By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,

New Delhi: While Assembly election is in sight and BJP-Shiv Sena in
tatters, the ‘secular’ Congress-NCP alliance government of Maharashtra
wants to appease the voters of the communal parties. The state
government’s withdrawal of the ongoing CBI probe in the Hari Masjid
police firing case is the latest evidence of the Hindu appeasement of
the ‘secular’ parties.

The firing took place during the 1992-1993 communal riots in Mumbai.
Police sub-inspector Nikhil Kapse was indicted by the Srikrishna
Commission for unjustified firing at devotees inside the Hari Masjid
in Wadala. Six people were killed in the firing.

After years of refusing to take action against Inspector Kapse, the
Congress-NCP government finally gave in to the public pressure and
snubs from the Mumbai High Court, and agreed to hand over the Hari
Masjid case to the CBI in 2008.
While the probe was going on in full swing the state government two
weeks ago approached the Supreme Court to get a stay against the CBI
investigation. The apex court has granted the stay.

Media reports say that the government has submitted before the Supreme
Court that the “state has already initiated all essential action
against Nikhil Kapse and there is no need for an independent enquiry”
as he has already been given a clean chit.

Human rights activists and surviving victim of the Hari Masjid firing
today addressed media in Mumbai and demanded the state government to
reverse its move otherwise they will be forced to launch public
agitation on the issue.

Talking to TwoCircles.net Muhammad Aslam Ghazi, Member, Maharashtra
unit of Association for Protection of Civil Rights, said the state
government seemed to consolidate Hindu votes by this action.

“The state government seems to be confused. For years it did not take
action on the case. When pressure was mounted from public as well as
court it ordered CBI probe. Now reversing its own decision it
approached the Supreme Court for seeking stay on the CBI probe. The
move seems to consolidate the non-Muslim votes,” Ghazi said.

In the press confernce Ghazi demanded the state government to allow
CBI to continue its probe.
He said he and other human rights activists will launch mass awareness
campaign to highlight the double standard of the state government. As
last resort they are also planning to approach the apex court.

[Photo: images.google.co.in]

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 4:59:48 AM9/10/09
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http://www.twocircles.net/2009sep10/sign_online_petition_demand_judicial_probe_batla_house_encounter.html

Sign online petition to demand judicial probe of Batla House encounter
Submitted by admin4 on 10 September 2009 - 12:54pm. Indian Muslim


By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,

New Delhi: After the Ishrat Jahan encounter has been proved fake,
human and civil rights activists are again trying to build up pressure
on the Delhi and Central governments to order a judicial probe into
the Batla House encounter in which two ‘suspected terrorists’ were
gunned down last year by the Special Cell (notorious for encounters)
of the Delhi Police.

Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Association, which has been in the
forefront of the movement for judicial probe into the Batla House
encounter, has called upon people to sign an online petition in order
to pressurize the government to reverse its stand and order a judicial
probe in this encounter also. When the communal BJP-ruled Gujarat can
allow a judicial probe into Ishrat encounter, why the ‘secular’
Congress-ruled Delhi and Central governments can’t into Batla House
encounter, the rights activists ask. The online petition can be signed
on

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/jtsa2009/petition.html

A magisterial probe two days back concluded that June 2004 Ishrat
Jahan encounter was fake as besides Mumbai college girl Ishrat three
others were shot dead in cold blood by the Ahmedabad police. It was a
fake encounter staged by the top police officials for promotions, said
the probe. The police had described the four as members of Pakistan-
based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba out on the mission to
kill Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The Ishrat encounter report has given a boost to the human and civil
rights groups who have since Day One been demanding judicial probe
into the September 19, 2008 Batla House encounter that took place in
Delhi’s Muslim ghetto Jamia Nagar. Sajid and Atif, Azamgarh boys in
early twenties killed in the shootout, were described by the police as
masterminds of the Delhi serial blasts as well as other blasts in the
country. But locals, parents and human and civil rights activists
exposed loopholes in the police version about the whole Batla
encounter, and so demanded judicial probe which so far has been turned
down by the government.

A magisterial enquiry into this encounter has been blocked by the
Delhi government through the refusal of the Lt. Governor of Delhi to
allow for the same.
Meanwhile, a probe report by the National Human Rights Commission has
given a clean chit to the Delhi police for the Batla House encounter.
Parents of the slain Azamgarh boys and human and civil rights
activists have rejected the NHRC report as the commission prepared the
report without bothering to visit the spot and taking views of the
neighbours, rights groups and the parents.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:21:47 AM9/10/09
to
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Cong-blasts-man-eating-Modi-govt/articleshow/4988465.cms

Cong blasts 'man-eating' Modi govt
TNN 9 September 2009, 02:50am IST

NEW DELHI: The judicial inquiry into Ishrat Jehan encounter has
triggered a war of words between BJP and Congress, reminiscent of the
name calling that preceded assembly polls and which culminated in the
"maut ka saudagar" controversy.

Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari on Tuesday called the Narendra Modi
regime a "man-eating government", setting the tone for another
skirmish.

Tiwari called for a probe into all encounters in the state since 2001,
saying the government during this period had worked outside the ambit
of law.

Similar words came from Veerappa Moily who said if Modi was in another
country, he would have been in "some other place". The indirect
reference to jail came as he said that investigations would bring out
more skeletons from his cupboard.

Asked about Modi's role in the case, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu shot
back, "Why should Modi take a call? Do you think anything that happens
in a state, the CM is responsible? If anything happens in Delhi, is
the PM responsible."

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:27:51 AM9/10/09
to
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Even-Centre-called-Ishrat-a-terrorist/articleshow/4988424.cms

Even Centre called Ishrat a terrorist
TNN 9 September 2009, 07:32am IST

AHMEDABAD: An innocuous affidavit filed by the Union home ministry
last month in defense of a plea to institute a CBI inquiry into the
Ishrat Jahan encounter case, has now put the UPA government on the
mat.

Shaken by a magistrate's probe that held police officers guilty of
killing Ishrat and four others in cold blood and the fake encounter to
curry favour with Narendra Modi, the state government on Tuesday took
refuge in this 14-page defence.

Filed by an under secretary of the MHA on August 6 before the Gujarat
High Court, the affidavit confirms that Ishrat, Pranesh Pillai alias
Javed Shaikh, Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar as terrorists linked
with Lashkar-e-Taiba. The affidavit was filed on a plea by Ishrat’s
mother for a CBI probe.

Copies of the document were distributed to the media on Tuesday even
as Gujarat government spokesperson and state minister Jay Narayan Vyas
quoted from it extensively to say the government would appeal against
the magistrate’s damning inquiry report on the encounter that took
place on June 15, 2004 under supervision of now-jailed IPS officer D G
Vanzara.

While magistrate S P Tamang’s inquiry report submitted to the chief
judicial magistrate on Monday named several top IPS officers,
including retired director-general of police and then Ahmedabad police
commissioner K R Kaushik, Vanzara and 19 others, as part of a
conspiracy to fake the encounter of innocent persons, the MHA
affidavit supports the Gujarat police story that this was a genuine
encounter in which terrorists were killed.

Filed by R V S Mani, under secretary, internal security-VI in MHA, the
affidavit states, ‘‘It came to the notice of the security agencies of
the Union government that Javed was in regular touch with LeT
operatives particularly Muzammil to carry out terrorist actions in
Gujarat’’. A major part of the affidavit dwells in the story of how
Pranesh Pillai converted to Javed Shaikh, kept two passports and was a
‘‘rowdy character with several criminal cases against him’’.

The affidavit, instead of providing solid evidence against the
‘terrorists’, gets into a detailed inquiry of the relationship between
Javed and Ishrat and how their parents, Gopinatha Pillai, and Shamima
Kausar, had not clearly stated ‘‘what were their activities’’, in
their respective petitions before the Supreme Court and Gujarat HC.

The affidavit mentions the two ‘Pakistanis’, Amjad Ali Rana and
Zeeshan Johar, on how they had infiltrated into India and were in
touch with Javed to carry out terror activities in Gujarat.

Sources told TOI that the MHA has taken serious note of this
embarrassing legal blooper and may take action. It was also learnt
that the man behind its content is IPS officer Rajinder Kumar, who was
posted in Gujarat as the state IB chief between 2002 and 2005 and is
now an Intelligence Bureau joint director in New Delhi. Most of the
intelligence inputs on Gujarat encounters were provided by his
office.

Leader of Opposition in Gujarat assembly Shaktisinh Gohil told
mediapersons, ‘‘The affidavit is based on intelligence reports of 2004
by IB officials under the NDA regime. Let investigations begin and the
role of these officers be examined.’’

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:31:11 AM9/10/09
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http://blogs.straitstimes.com/2009/9/9/fake-encounters-of-the-brutal-kind

Fake Encounters of the brutal kind
September 09, 2009 Wednesday, 04:47 PM
Rupali Karekar discusses extra-judicial killings by security officials
in India.

ISHRAT Jahan, a teenage college student from Mumbra, India, died of a
bullet whose trajectory was impossible to fathom.

According to the post-mortem report, the bullet that killed Ishrat in
2004 entered below the mastoid on the left side of her neck and went
upward through the temporal lobe.

This trajectory is inexplicable considering that at the time of her
death, she was supposedly sitting in a car with closed doors with
three other "terrorists".

All four were killed in an exchange of gunfire with senior police
officers from the Indian state of Gujarat.

An investigating team probing the killings reported later that all
four victims were barefoot at the time of their deaths and no one had
any trace of gunpowder or ammunition on them.

All four also had their true identity cards in their pockets. In fact,
Ishrat was wearing her college I-card around her neck all the while
during the encounter with the police.

The police claimed that the four were linked with Pakistan's terror
group Lashkar-e-Taiba, and insisted that they were planning terror
strikes in Gujarat, including the assassination of state chief
minister Narendra Modi.


Four "terrorists" were accused of planning the assassination of
Gujarat's state chief minister Narendra Modi, pictured above. A report
later found all four innocent of the charges.

On Monday, S P Tamang, a local magistrate probing the killing,
released a report which held that the entire episode was in fact a
"fake encounter" involving senior police officers of Gujarat.

It was carried out to secure promotions and appreciation of chief
minister Modi. Justice Tamang also absolved Ishrat Jahan of charges of
being an LeT operative and has pinned the blame on the police
officers, one of whom has since been jailed for his role in another
fake encounter case.

A defiant Modi-government, which is under the scanner for its role in
the 2002 communal riots in the state, has rejected Justice Tamang's
report, and plans to challenge the report's findings.

Whatever the final outcome, the murky world of "fake encounters" has
once again come into focus.

So what exactly is a fake encounter?

The term refers to extra-judicial killings of individuals by security
officials. Previously, such encounters reportedly used to target
criminals if there was a possibility that they escape the rule of
law.

Now such killings are not just restricted to anti-social elements and,
more often than not, are immediately linked to terrorism.

While the practice is not the norm, fake encounter killings occur
frequently in India.

According to a report released last month by Human Rights Watch,
Indian police are usually the only eyewitnesses to these alleged
encounters, which are typically carried out by junior and low-ranking
officers.

"Considering the long history and scale of this practice, it is likely
that state officials and senior police are not only aware of these
killings, but allow, unofficially sanction or even order these
killings," the report says.

The 118-page report, "Broken System: Dysfunction, Abuse and Impunity
in the Indian Police," also says that criminal prosecution has the
potential to check police abuse, but victims often do not file cases
because they fear police retaliation.

Another major obstacle is section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code,
which provides immunity from prosecution to all public officials
unless the government approves the prosecution.

While not excusing the abuses, the HRW cites abysmal conditions for
police officers as contributing factors of such and other violations
by the police.

Police officials are required to be on-call 24 hours a day, every day,
remain separated from families for days and have to live in tents or
filthy barracks at police stations. They often lack necessary
equipment, including vehicles, mobile phones, investigative tools and
even paper on which to record complaints and make notes. To add to
their woes, the pay is low.

With this backdrop, it is not surprising that some police officers
told HRW that they use "short-cuts" to cope with overwhelming
workloads and insufficient resources.

"No one is born corrupt. It's a tailor-made system: if you're not
corrupt, you won't survive," one officer told HRW.

The current scenario is sad, but much can be done to improve the
situation.

The HRW report recommended that the police machinery be taught some
basic rules which they need to follow.

For instance reading suspects their rights upon arrest or detention,
excluding from court any evidence that police obtain by using torture,
bolstering independent investigations into complaints of police abuse
through national human rights commissions and improving training and
equipment for the cadre.

But, age-old laws make it easy for state and local politicians to
rampantly interfere in police operations, however routine.

The HRW report says, such interference may include directing police to
drop investigations against certain people with political connections,
or ordering them to harass political or personal opponents with false
charges.

In 2006, India's highest court mandated reform of police laws. But the
central government and most state governments are yet to implement the
court's order.

Malpractices by law enforcement agencies have been recorded
worldwide.

Corruption is rife among Mexico's local police forces and officers who
have not only protected drug cartels, but also murdered their rivals.
Ten police officers were arrested earlier this year for the torture
and murder of 12 federal agents who were investigating a drugs
cartel.

In Britain, Jean Charles De Menezes, 27, was shot dead by police at a
London tube station in 2005, when he was mistaken for a suicide
bomber. No police officer has ever been charged in connection with the
fatal shooting.

Last month, Ali Dizaei, a Metropolitan police commander, was accused
of threatening a businessman by purporting to arrest and detain him
and then falsely claiming unprovoked assault after a row in a
restaurant.

Such incidents may not be the norm but they do occur in countries
around the world.

Stringent rules and their strict implementation can curb such corrupt
behaviour but it may not be eliminated all together. The onus will
finally rest on the individual to apply proper standards to his
profession.

When and if such a day comes, innocents like Ishrat Jahan or Jean
Charles De Menezes will not have died in vain.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:36:13 AM9/10/09
to
http://www.hindustantimes.com/homepage/maharashtra/Ishrat-loved-this-country/451996/H1-Article1-451704.aspx

‘Ishrat loved this country’
Susamma Kurian, Hindustan Times

Thane, September 08, 2009

First Published: 23:53 IST(8/9/2009)
Last Updated: 00:09 IST(9/9/2009)

A day after Ahmedabad Metropolitan Magistrate SP Tamang stated in his
probe report that the encounter in which Mumbai college student Ishrat
Jahan and three others were killed in 2004 was fake, her family
members demanded the most stringent of punishments for those
responsible for her death.

Ishrat Jahan, Javed Ghulam Sheikh alias Pranesh Pillai, Amjad Ali
alias Rajkumar Akbar Ali Rana and Jisan Johar Abdul Gani were killed
in an encounter by the Ahmedabad police, led by the then Deputy
Commissioner of Police DG Vanzara, on June 15, 2004. The police had
justified the killing, saying the four were Lashkar-e-Tayyeba
operatives.

“We have been saying since day one that Ishrat was killed in a fake
encounter. She loved this country as much as you and I do. No force
can make my sister come back but we are happy that we have got
justice... We don’t know why Ishrat was killed. But we want those
guilty to be punished severely so that nobody else’s sister is killed.
So many innocent people have been killed in fake encounters in
Gujarat,” said Ishrat’s younger sister Musarrat Jahan (22), a
receptionist at an office in Mumbra, 25 km east of Mumbai.

Said their mother Shamima Kausar (45), “Nothing can compensate all
that we have lost in these five years because of my daughter being
called a terrorist. My children’s careers and education were affected
due to the blot on our family.”
Though the family has not pointed fingers at anyone, Rauf Lala of My
Mumbra made some startling revelations.

“Our lawyers came to know that Ishrat was picked up from Mumbra with
the help of an encounter specialist in Maharashtra. The magistrate’s
report states that the police had killed Ishrat and the others to
appease the head of the state. But it is to be seen whether the police
team had done the encounter on the orders of the head of the state. We
think it was not only the police officers but the entire system which
was involved in this,” said Lala.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:40:41 AM9/10/09
to
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/postishrat-report-top-cop-amin-back-in-news-for-all-wrong-reasons/515118/

Post-Ishrat report, top cop Amin back in news for all wrong reasons
Syed Khalique Ahmed

Posted: Thursday , Sep 10, 2009 at 0103 hrs
Ahmedabad:

Following the S P Tamang’s report on Ishrat Jahan encounter, the
spotlight has shifted again to Narendra Kumar Amin, the suspended
Deputy Superintendent of Police, currently imprisoned in the Sabarmati
Central Jail.

Amin is in the jail along with controversial police officers D G
Vanzara and Raj Kumar Pandian in connection with fake encounter of
Sohrabuddin Sheikh and murder of his wife Kausar Bi.

Along with Vanzara, Amin is also involved in the killing of Ishrat
Jahan and three others.

Amin has often landed in controversies. In October 2004, when he went
to Hyderabad to arrest Maulana Nasiruddin, the man accused of hatching
a conspiracy for murder of former Minister of State Home Haren Pandya,
his family members and supporters had protested. But Amin refused to
stop and had fired shots from his service revolver killing one Mujahid
Saleen on the spot. The incident had created tension in old Hyderabad
city.

Two years ago, Amin was arrested in connection with the disposal of
the body of Kausar Bi

In December 2008, Amin created a sensation by submitting an affidavit
to Principal Additional Sessions Judge P B Desai through his advocate
V D Gajjar, saying a conspiracy was being hatched to eliminate him
because he was privy to vital information in the fake encounter case.

Amin had claimed to be possessing CDs containing vital information
about the fake encounter case that could create problems for several
ruling party politicians, including a minister in the Narendra Modi
government.

He had also accused Inspector General of Prisons Keshav Kumar of
torturing him in jail.

Amin’s name surfaced again last month when a magisterial court in
Umargaon in Valsad district issued an arrest warrant against him on
the charges of custodial murder of former Colonel Save. Save was
leading an agitation against setting up of a private port by a
multinational company.

The agitation led by Kinara Bachao Sangharsh Samiti headed by Save had
turned violent on April 7, 2000. The police had arrested two persons,
including Save in this connection.

Save, who had valiantly fought in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, was
allegedly tortured at the Umargaon police station by Amin and others.

Save, whose condition had worsened, was rushed to the Hinduja Hospital
in Mumbai where he succumbed to his injuries after 12 days.

Though an inquiry was initiated into the incident with IPS official
Rahul Sharma probing it, Sharma was relieved of it after a few days.

The probe was handed over to DIG (Crime) Anil Pratham who did not find
any evidence of custodial torture. He closed the case by filing a
summary in the court in February 2006.

But the court rejected Pratham’s probe and ordered a fresh inquiry in
which Amin was found guilty and a case under Section 302 and114 of
Indian Penal Code was registered against him in August this year with
the Umargaon police station.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:43:52 AM9/10/09
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http://www.indianexpress.com/news/upa-plays-politics-with-its-affidavit-home-backs-it-law-pulls-up-author/515277/

UPA plays politics with its affidavit: Home backs it, Law pulls up
author
Amitabh Sinha , Maneesh Chhibber

Posted: Thursday , Sep 10, 2009 at 0503 hrs
New Delhi:

A day after the Gujarat government waved a Central affidavit backing
its claim that Ishrat Jahan and her associates were linked to the
Lashkar-e-Toiba and were planning a terror strike, the Union Home
Ministry stood by the contents of its affidavit but the Law Ministry
sent out a completely conflicting signal by initiating action against
the law officer who had filed that affidavit.

The Law Ministry today decided to take action against Assistant
Solicitor General P S Champaneri for failing to bring to the notice of
the ministry the contents of the affidavit filed by the Home Ministry
in the Gujarat High Court, sources said.

In the affidavit filed last month, the Home Ministry told the High
Court that it had indeed passed on information to the state police on
the suspected terror links of Ishrat Jahan and her three companions
who were gunned down in June 2004.

Home Secretary G K Pillai said the affidavit was based on facts in
possession of the Intelligence Bureau and the government was ready to
substantiate the information provided to the court in the affidavit,
if asked. He made the distinction between information on terror links
of the victims provided to the state government and how the Gujarat
police acted on that information.

“The affidavit only states the facts that were discovered about the
victims through investigations. The facts are clear that the victims
had suspicious links with terrorist organisations. Based on the
information that the Intelligence Bureau had about these people, the
Gujarat Police had been alerted about their movements,” Pillai said.

“What the Gujarat Police did after receiving that information from the
Home Ministry is not something that the Home Ministry can be held
accountable for. As far as the government and the laws of justice in
the country are concerned, even a terrorist has the right to get
arrested and be put on trial,” he said.

With the Modi government pointing to the Central affidavit, the Law
Ministry decided to penalise Champaneri for failing to apprise it of
the contents of the affidavit and getting it vetted. Until evening, no
formal orders against the ASG had been issued. Champaneri, on his
part, said he had only filed the affidavit which was prepared and
handed over to him by a Home Ministry official.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:55:18 AM9/10/09
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http://www.indianexpress.com/news/awarding-encounters/515263/

Awarding encounters
The Indian Express

Posted: Thursday , Sep 10, 2009 at 0449 hrs

On June 15th 2004, the Gujarat police announced that four operatives
of the dreaded Lashkar-e-Toiba had been killed in an encounter in
Ahmedabad. Photos of their bodies, lined up in front of the blue
Indica car in which they were allegedly travelling, did the rounds.
But, such being — sadly — the reputation the Gujarat police force has
earned for itself, allegations of a fake encounter were bound to
arise.

In that narrative, Ishrat Jahan, a student of a well-known Mumbai
college, was picked up in her home town and killed, along with three
of her friends, in police custody — all for the awards that terrorist
kills bring law enforcement officials. Ishrat’s mother filed a
petition in the Gujarat High Court seeking a CBI probe into the
killings, a petition that is still being heard. In court, the Centre
filed an affidavit stating that the four dead were indeed LeT suspects
— though the Centre was silent on the manner of their killing. Now
comes the latest twist: a Gujarat magistrate tasked with investigating
custodial deaths has held that encounter was faked. Ishrat was killed
in cold blood. The Gujarat government has been swift to oppose the
magisterial report.

This is a mistake, for there are two distinct questions here: First,
were Ishrat and the three others terrorists? And second, was the
encounter staged? These are very different questions. The Centre’s
claim that they were LeT suspects, even if true, doesn’t justify
murder-for-honours by the state police. That is not the rule of law;
it is the mockery of it. The BJP has been quick to add that Modi
cannot be held responsible for everything that happens in the state.
But the Gujarat government’s decision to instinctively back its men
sends the reverse signal: that innocent or guilty, the Gujarat
government is in this together. As the high court decides on its next
move, Narendra Modi must know that India’s eyes, not to mention those
of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team, are on him.

CORRRPTION IS ROOT CAUSE

By: BAKA | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 18:10:43 PM

Root cause is CORRUPTION. Hindu/Muslim/terrorist are cover up name of
POLICE/politician corruption. Name a single political leader(Including
NM) or Police or Bureaucrat w/o CORRUPTION...........to add agony
modern media = TRP CORRUPTION.

well the views here are odd from some folks

By: SAFFRON SECULARIST | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:18:25 PM

this is a reasoned article and what we really need to know are the
sequence of events. i do recall that the central investigation people
had also given a ishrat some cause for concern. now - the simple logic
is how were they involved in a gun fight? if there is a cover up then
let the long arm of the law take over.... i am surprised that hindu
names her are demanded hanging of mr modi.... surely the premise that
we are all innocent until proven guilty applies to all ciizens of
bharat including ishrat as well. i feel the religious NGOs are behind
the stirring that goes in the media. what india needs is progress and
basic human dignity for her people.... then why after so many years of
congress have the people of india remained poor? modi is doing his
best for his people of gujarat.... can someone also tell me was godhra
a fake encounter by the islamic facist jihadis? muslims in india see
themselves as guests and this same applies all over the world. when
will islamists grow up?

Ishran and 3 friends (2 of them were Paki all accepts that)

By: Ashish Patel | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:16:45 PM

Article is half or may I say qtr of the truth. There may have been
staged encounters, it fails to highlight that 2 of the 3 friend of
Ishran were Pakis and most importantly regardless the party ruling in
centre or state they have all endorsed the fact that 4 of them were
LeT members.Now don't say that there were no evidence of their
terrorist activity. We all know what LeT's publicly acknowledged
objectives are and begin member of such organisation makes India your
enemy and vice - versa. Killing such enemy proactively doesn't amount
to crime only the self-defence, as Bush use to say it.

RE: this comes from Centr,Non BJP party

By: srini | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:13:36 PM

You miss a point here. Even if the center says that they are LeT
suspects, the police still cannot do a fake encounter and kill them.
And if you support fake encounters for all terror suspects, then we
need to have a different discussion altogether. Fake encounters for
promotions is a serious issue that needs to condemned!

Mumbai Avoided

By: JC Mula | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 18:02:15 PM

The point is stopping Islamic Terrorism. The police did it effectively
otherwise there would have been another case like Mumbai. Only because
of Shri Narendra Modi's policy of not having any truck with
Terrorists, unlike congressis funded by rome and dawood, another
Mumbai did not happen in Gujrat

Receiption ofL E T Terrorists.

By: Dr R C Dikshit | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:33:09 PM

Does it mean we have to receive terrorist at various states after
receving information from I B with Kumkum and tilak and offer
briyani!!! Why shed lives of Jawans in Kashmir. They too are LET
terrorist.

Why she was with others?

By: SC | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 16:59:52 PM

Dont blame the Government of Gujarat, Police officers, Narendra Modi
of BJP. Ishrat was a student in a Mumbai school. What did she travel
with other innocent friends being alleged as terrorists?

I have a question too!

By: JC Mulla | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:59:47 PM

What was she a true follower of Islam doing inside a car with three
guys? I heard the guys who died had a hindu lineage. Their parents or
grandparents or grandgrand parents were Hindus who were converted
under sword either in 1947 or when Aurangzeb etc were active.

awarding terrosists

By: indukumar | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 16:54:04 PM

your article has enlightened me that a proclaimed LET martyrs, which
was declared four days after the killings, and was subsequently
published in leading newspaper currently as become a national hero,
whereas those awarded in daylight encounter in manipur are wishfully
forgotten in the name of secular humanism. i would like to remind you
number of encounter in manipur is highest in asia according to human
rights commission

All they want is money.

By: M. J. Shaikh | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 16:18:35 PM

The problem is not communal or politics. Nor are such encountors done
to protect the nation and it's citizens, nor is this due to Muslim
bias. All this is just for money and money. They demand money, they
seek money and they kill for money. A jobless uneducated son of any
ordinary havaldar drives a Honda City Car. Ofcourse his father has
cannot provide him all this with the salary he gets from the
government, he has to kill somebody to keep his son happy....it is a
bit difficult with the Hindus, Muslims one can always call them
terrorist and kill them if they don't pay up.

Awarding Encounters

By: Nandani | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:43:51 PM

The whole problem will be solved if Narender Modi will be hanged in
public or somebody should cut his throat in cold bloded. This HARAMI
has no right to stay in this World.

Modi is a Killer

By: Hemant trivedi | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:00:16 PM

Narendra modi is a killer.Responsible for thousands of death.Because
of him there must be hundreds of people who must have become terrorist
and also when they indulge in bomb blast mostly hindus die, indirectly
or directly modi is also responsible for all the deaths of hindus in
gujarat.He should be hanged in public and thats the only thing a
vicous snake like modi deserves.

Talibanis are Here We need Encounters

By: JC Mulla | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:15:48 PM

Partition was the joint effort of Muslim League of Jinnah, Congress of
MK Gandhi ML Nehru "GANERU CLAN", third grade British Christians. Why
India's territory was lost is because we forgot to let common sense
rule supreme

Truth Never Fades

By: Satya Prakash | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 13:44:08 PM

Fight till death in Shri Narendra Modi's struggle against Islamic
Terrorists, poverty and protection of Bharatwasis whose existence is
challenged by followers of religion who believe in right of non
Existence of persons who do not fall in their religion. We stand for
protection of our right to have full independency of thought and
actions which are directed towards building a peaceful, harmonious and
strong Bharat and no slavery to faith based craps. We do not want
elements whose foundations and basic purpose of life is faith based
crap exorting them to kill everyone who is not from religion of Osama
Bin Laden or General Dyer or not born with the surname Gandhi. Long
Live Sri Narendra Modi.

CommentsPost comment30 Comments |Awarding encounters

By: Sanjay | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 13:09:05 PM

Well writen article may not suit for fascist, but indeed true Indian
police perticularly gujrat police instead of protecting the citizens
are became murderers, just for some medals and promotion five
innocense lives are lost, these communal fascist will come to know
about the pain and deliema about the family of killed when somebody
from their family will die in cold blooded encounter

this comes from Centr,Non BJP party

By: suchithra | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:01:05 PM

You need to get updated with the news.Just see what Home ministry says
about encounter today.Home Ministry affidavit submitted in the Gujarat
High Court that Ishrat's friends were members of the Lashkar-e-
Toiba.Remember this comes from Centr,Non BJP party

Blame the messenger

By: Ram | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 12:21:17 PM

Number one strategy to win arguments, 'Blame the messenger'. People
are killed in cold blood in 'Encounters'. The press reports the same.
So who is at fault? No, of course not the killers. It is the press who
is at fault for trying to 'malign' the political party. Guys who blame
Indian Express and NDTV, when will you grow up?

why no comments on KAsmir,Manipur

By: Indian | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:03:44 PM

When will you

Rule of Law must prevail

By: Kishan | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 12:21:01 PM

O.K. No compromise on that.But as everyone knows does it actually
prevail? Those who have money bend the rules and the law to their
advantage.Is it any surprise that the public welcomes the elimination
of well known criminals because it knows that they have the means to
slip out of the grip of so-called rule of law.The police and the
courts are deliberately kept overworked so that the ruling class can
get away with murder.Only in exceptional cases like Jessica Lall's the
media is able to create pressure to bring the powerful to justice.But
the media has its own biases.

one sided report.

By: M.S | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 12:18:29 PM

I think my mail on the Pilot Editorial was spoken too soon. You next
editorial, is once again so contrived to conceal the center's role of
inaction in this Ishrat Jahan case. At least a line or two on the
centers lethargy would have lent more credibility to your editorial. I
remember when the govt. failed to lodge the protest against CBI in
2004 in the Bofors case for removing the red corner notice NDTV and
the editor-in-chief of IE were pouncing on the BJP ministers for the
inaction. why did EIC of IE not notice the tardiness of the UPA govt?

Oh Narendra bhai, my heart goes out to you

By: Sandeep | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 11:41:02 AM

The High Court stay on the Tamang report is a tight slap on the faces
of the so called secular brigade led by NDTV

Congress a laughing stock on Ishrat case

By: Chandrakant Marathe | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 11:04:54 AM

It is amusing to watch reporting on Ishrat case in Indian Express and
their partners NDTV. The news reporting is so carefully done that
public openion is created in favour of the ruling party at center and
by hook or crook BJP is maligned. See how the important question of
Congress government not filing the details for 3 years of Ishrat and
her friend Javed being linked to JeM which was verified by two home
secreteries at center. This action of congress was part of their
minorities appeasement plan to win elections. Yesterday although there
was a discussion on this twist but no BJP representative was called
since it would have been advantage BJP. Some irrelevant illogical
speaking activist was given time to keep denying everything which goes
against Ishrat case. We are sick of our insane media which is
protecting one party and bletantly creating ill feelings against the
strongest opposition. God save our country from such media
terror !!!!!

Convoluted arguments

By: Anand Prakash | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 13:25:20 PM

When the faked encounters took place the government in Gujarat was
that of the BJP. Rather than castigating the BJP government of
Narendra Modi, you somehow find reasons to pull up the UPA government
for not following up on the Ishrat case. Had the UPA government pushed
the BJP into a corner on this case, you and the other BJP arse kissers
would xream that the UPA is scoring political points and appeasing the
minorities. When the UPA does not earnestly follow up the case you
again claim that this is a case of minority appeasement and you let
off the maut ka saudagar, Narendra Modi. And, then you finally blame
the media...The BJP and its cohorts were always known for such
convoluted logic. Grow up, the electorate are not fools. The RSS
headquarters has been selling a book for years which says Jinnah is
not the one responsible for the partition. When Jaswant Singh sings
the same tune, the BJP and its parent organization develop spasms of
indignity and sack Jaswant Singh. When will this party gets its logic
and reasoning in place?

Compare with Rajiv's comments post Sikh roits.Shameless

By: suchithra | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:14:48 PM

Since Guj roit happened during Atalji's rule,he wanted to take
responsibility

so-called seculars are attacking Modi every day.

By: suchithra | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:12:57 PM

What happened in Guj was sad

Dont talk of logic

By: suchithra | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:10:54 PM

Its just not JInnaj,Nehru too was equally responsbilble for
partition.Better dont talk of logic

Rule of law must prevail and is non-negotiable

By: Anil Kohli | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 10:14:00 AM

No arguments, rule of law being supreme and its application without
exception all across the country at all times.However what is galling
is the singular vilification campaign mounted against an individual
for past 7 years by the English Print and Visual media. This mass
hysteria of our media, has even the most sober and liberal Indians,
who do not come on any public platform to express their views, since
they do not count for much the media has already pronounced it
Judgment on the CM of Gujarat. The is question why has not one media
personality of group or house been able to depose and bring charges
against this individual.What you set out to achieve, has actually
translated into dividing and polarising the society further,on a very
strident note and aggressive manner.Why has the Media not been as
vocal or persevering incase of other states and other political
parties and in particular the 1984 Sikh Genocide in Delhi.Indians need
reassurance, the media is neutral. Credibilty???

Home misnistry(centre,non BJP remember)has submitted in the Gujarat
High Court that Ishrat's friends were members of the Lashkar-e-Toiba

By: suchithra | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 15:06:22 PM

Anand,Get updated with the news before commenting.Home misnistry
(centre,non BJP remember)has submitted in the Gujarat High Court that
Ishrat's friends were members of the Lashkar-e-Toiba.Now talk crap
what ever.

Do not let anger blind you

By: Anil Kohli | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 17:19:12 PM

Please read what is written and then comment. Extra judicial killings
cannot be accepted. Will not be accepted by the people of this
country. At the same time nor will the people accept one sided
reportage by the press. A.P. Manipur,Maharashtra would also required
to be dealt in the same fashion and the Chief Ministers of those
states should also be held accountable just has the media want
Narendra Modi to answer for the deeds of the Policemen in Gujarat.

EVIL DIVERSIONALY ARGUMENT

By: G YAGNESWARAN | Thursday , 10 Sep '09 7:12:18 AM

It is piece of wishful imagination of Indian Express editorial staff
to come out with an editorial that the encounter was murdser for
awards operation. How much money has been paid to IE? On an earlier
occasion you came with concocted stories on a Hindu Monk for alleged
terrorist attacks and when the investigating agency absolved her you
showed no sesne of remorseness. Shame on you Mr Shekar Gupta

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:57:17 AM9/10/09
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Gujarat-HC-transfers-Gopinaths-petition-to-judge-hearing-Ishrat-case/articleshow/4995503.cms

Gujarat HC transfers Gopinath's petition to judge hearing Ishrat case
PTI 10 September 2009, 06:38pm IST

AHMEDABAD: The petition of Gopinath Pillai, father of one of the four
persons killed in 2004 police encounter, was transferred to the judge
hearing the Ishrat Jahan case, by the Gujarat High Court on Thursday.

Justice H N Devani, looking into the plea of Javed Gulam Mohammad
Shiekh alias Pranesh Kumar Pillai demanding CBI inquiry into killing
of his son, said that since similar matter is being heard by Justice
Kalpesh Jhaveri, the petition should be transferred to that court.

Justice Jhaveri is hearing a petition by mother of Ishrat Jahan, a 19-
year-old college student, who was killed along with Pranesh and two
others. The court has also constituted a three-member committee to
investigate the matter.

Four persons, including Pranesh and Jahan were killed in an alleged
fake encounter on the outskirts of the city on June 15, 2004. The two
others were Amjad Ali alias Rajkumar Akbar Ali Rana and Jisan Johar
Abdul Gani.

Police had claimed that the four were Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives
on a mission to assassinate Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

Gopinath, in his petition, had demanded that the investigation into
the death of his son be transferred to CBI as the officers of present
agency probing the case were themselves involved in the alleged fake
encounter.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:03:26 AM9/10/09
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/ahmedabad/Cops-may-face-Vanzara-fate/articleshow/4988666.cms

Cops may face Vanzara fate
TNN 9 September 2009, 06:21am IST

AHMEDABAD: After the scathing inquiry report of the metropolitan
magistrate, the next logical move for the state government would be to
register an FIR against the police officers charged with plotting the
fake encounter which killed 19-year-old Ishrat Jahan, Javed Shaikh,
Amjad Ali Rana and Zeeshan Johar on June 15, 2004.

The case obviously becomes one of custodial death and should ideally
follow the same inquiry pattern as Sohrabuddin Shaikh encounter of
2005 in which 14 policemen, including IPS officers DG Vanzara,
Rajkumar Pandian and Dinesh MN from Rajasthan, are in jail.

In that case, the FIR registered by crime branch in 2004 would be
amended to make the official complainant — police inspector JG Parmar —
and 20 other officers, including then Ahmedabad city police
commissioner KR Kaushik, Vanzara and additional DGP PP Pandey, accused
in the new case.

Barring Pota, which was applied on Ishrat and rest, the police
officers would have to be booked for murder, kidnapping, illegal
confinement, conspiracy under IPC and use of unlicensed weapons (an
unlicensed AK-56 was used to kill them) under the Arms Act.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:06:11 AM9/10/09
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http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/09/stories/2009090960461000.htm

“Now my children can move ahead”

Staff Reporter

We have spent five years crying, says Ishrat’s mother

Ishrat Jehan who was killed in an encounter

Mumbai: Ishrat Jehan, who was killed in a “fake encounter” of 2004 in
Gujarat, had four sisters and two brothers. “The careers of my
children are finished. They all wanted to study. They have no one to
support their education. Today, my children can move ahead,” said
Shamima, mother of Ishrat Jehan, in a tearful address to the media.
Ms. Shamima remembered all that the family lost in its fight for
justice.

Highlighting the support from non-Muslims, Abdul Rauf Lala, a social
activist closely associated with the case, said there could not be a
bigger victory for secularism. “This case should not be seen from a
religious perspective but from a human perspective. It was a mother’s
fight for justice.”

At a time when none wanted to be associated with them, some leaders,
namely Jitendra Avhad of the Nationalist Congress Party, and advocates
Vrinda Grover, Mukul Sinha and Shilpa Shah took up their cause. The
family hailed them and the media as well for keeping up the pressure.

For five years, the family endured disgrace, despair and legal
demands. “We have spent five years crying. Only I know the agony we
have been through,” said Ms. Shamima.

“These five years were the worst period of our lives. It was difficult
for us to prove. We were disheartened,” said Ishrat’s younger sister
Musarrat.

The probe report of the magisterial inquiry had brought much relief.
Too overwhelmed for words, Ms. Musarrat read from a piece of paper:
“We had full faith we would win this fight. This was a conspiracy. We
have been saying from day one that our sister was innocent. She loved
this country as much as you do. No power can give her back to us. But
we are happy that we got justice. Those who doubted us, saw us with
suspicion, have lowered their heads.”

Not ruling out the connivance of Maharashtra police force in the “fake
encounter,” Mr. Lala said they had received some reports on the
involvement of an “encounter specialist.” Ishrat went out of the house
on June 11, 2004, and that was the last anyone saw of her. On June 16,
the family learnt of her death.

“When we went to collect her body, [the then Gujarat police DCP] D.G.
Vanzara and [ACP Narendra] Amin behaved deplorably and forced Ishrat’s
mother to confess falsely. We were detained for eight hours,” said Mr.
Lala. Tellingly, the court summons for August 21 arrived by post this
Monday, he said.

Mr. Lala said the post-mortem report indicated the day of Ishrat’s
death as June 14, while the police had stated the encounter date as
June 16.

Now all that the family wishes for is severe punishment for those who
carried out the heinous act. “They should be hanged so that no one’s
sister dies in such a brutal manner,” said Ms. Musarrat. Asked if they
wanted action against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, she said
they were not specifically asking for Mr. Modi to be indicted, but for
those behind the killing.

Ishrat was just 19 when she was “kidnapped,” shot “in cold blood” and
termed a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative. She was a second year B.Sc.
student aspiring to become a teacher. She was also teaching at a well-
known coaching centre. A day before she was “kidnapped” she had
applied for an educational scholarship.

“She was very intelligent and a good teacher. All of us had our dreams
back then, but we don’t anymore. Now hope has been lit, but time
cannot come back. The time to study and build a career has gone,” rued
Ms. Musarrat, who works as a receptionist.

Sheikh Anwar, Ishrat’s younger brother who is a computer engineer,
said, “When we heard the news of her death, we did not believe it. My
sister was very naïve. She was very nice. I was too small, but I knew
my sister could never have done this. She was scared of even a
cockroach,” he recalled.

The government has rejected the report of the sub-divisional
magistrate.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:09:26 AM9/10/09
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http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/09/stories/2009090954350801.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Ishrat Jahan issue

The reported fake encounter in which Ishrat Jahan and three more
persons were killed by the Gujarat police is a clear case of brutal
murder by the so-called protectors of law. It is a blot on the police
force which has been constantly accused of indulging in fake
encounters to serve its ends.

One wonders why so many top officials teamed up to do something so
horrendous. Was there a political angle to the killings? The
perpetrators of the heinous crime should be brought to justice
immediately.

Rahul Chandra Sheel,

Ahmedabad

The veracity of the police account of Ishrat Jahan’s killing raised
many doubts even in June 2004. It has taken more than five years for
the truth to emerge.

It is heart-rending to know that a group of police officials committed
such a heinous crime for personal gains. Not only was an innocent girl
picked up and ruthlessly killed her image too was tarnished.

K. Malikul Azeez,

Chennai

The fault lies with the system. Policemen seeking political favours
has become the order of the day. It is time civil society brought
pressure on the Gujarat government to take strict action against the
culprits.

Vaibhav C. Ghalme,

New Delhi

The metropolitan magistrate’s ruling that the killing of Ishrat Jahan
and three others was a fake encounter has dealt a serious blow to
democracy and secularism.

N.C. Sreedharan,

Kannur

One can imagine the state of fear in which the minorities live in
Gujarat. It would not be right to blame the police alone for the cold-
blooded murder of Ishrat and three others. They are said to have
indulged in the act allegedly to please the Chief Minister. If that is
true, I am sure many officers would act similarly. After all, everyone
would like to be promoted.

Abdul Subhan,

Bidar

The killing of Ishrat and three others in a stage-managed encounter
and accusing them of being terrorists are pointers to the state of
affairs in Gujarat.

The perpetrators of the shameful deed should be severely punished. The
heinous act has not only caused the death of innocent persons but also
put their families to severe hardship.

Mohammed Sadullah Khan,

Riyadh

More shocking than the fake encounter is the report that it was
perpetrated by police for personal gains. One can imagine the law and
order situation of a State in which the police, by killing innocent
people belonging to a community, expect to be promoted.

It has become common for the police to execute a suspect, and claim
that he died in a shootout that followed his bid to kill them. This
happens so often that all of us are familiar with the term
‘encounter.’ Punishing the men in uniform is not enough; the
politicians who have created such an environment also need to be
punished.

Irshad Ahmed,

Bangalore

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:11:25 AM9/10/09
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http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/09/stories/2009090954350802.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Intolerance indeed

This refers to the editorial “The state of intolerance” (Sept. 8).
That the Gujarat government is contemplating the idea of issuing a
second ban notification on Jaswant Singh’s book on Mohammad Ali Jinnah
after the High Court struck down the earlier notification is
unfortunate.

The freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution allows everyone
to express his or her views in any form. No one wanting to read Mr.
Singh’s book can be denied the right to do so.

S. Lakshmi Narayanan,

Cuddalore

The Gujarat government’s ban on Jaswant Singh’s book on Jinnah
certainly smacked of intolerance. The act appeared to be an attempt at
one-upmanship on the part of Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

K.D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore

The Modi government has claimed that it banned the book because it
contained some objectionable remarks about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
This has disturbing implications for the citizens’ right to freedom of
expression. But this has, unfortunately, been the trend in the country
in recent times. Any deviation from the norm in representation or
analysis of facts is treated as blasphemy. Authors, playwrights,
actors, artists, poets and musicians are regularly targeted by self-
appointed guardians of culture. One victim of such targeting is M.F.
Husain. You may or may not agree with Jaswant Singh, but in a
democracy all citizens have the right to express their opinions
without fear.

A.K. Shahinsha,

Dharapuram

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:15:55 AM9/10/09
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http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/10/stories/2009091058200100.htm

Come clean on encounters, Supreme Court tells Gujarat

J. Venkatesan

‘Why not agree to SIT probe in Sohrabuddin case?’

New Delhi: With the Gujarat government admitting that Sohrabuddin
Sheikh was killed in a fake encounter, the Supreme Court on Wednesday
asked the State to come clean on such incidents by ordering an
investigation to go to the root of the matter.

A Bench of Justices Tarun Chatterjee and Aftab Alam is hearing a
petition filed by Rubabuddin for a CBI probe into the encounter death
of his brother in the early hours of November 26, 2005 and the
subsequent killing of Sohrabuddin’s wife Kausar Bi. The present plea
is to refer the incident to the court-appointed Special Investigation
Team headed by R.K. Raghavan, who is probing the 2002 Gujarat riot
cases.

When senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Gujarat, strongly
opposed this plea, saying a charge sheet was already filed in the
case, Justice Alam said: “When you [the State] admit that it is a fake
encounter, the great concern of the State must also be to go to the
bottom of the matter. Why not put such encounter deaths beyond debate?
The State should come forward to go beyond all possible debate or
controversy. This is no less disturbing. Why don’t you agree to a SIT
probe?”

Mr. Rohatgi said conducting further or fresh investigation would
prejudice the prosecution case and delay the trial.

It would also mean lack of confidence in the trial court, the High
Court and the whole judicial system in the State, which would have
wide ramifications.

Justice Alam said: “The question of referring the matter to the SIT
has arisen as there have been allegations that the investigations by
the Gujarat police are just an eyewash and an attempt to cover up the
conspiracy in the case. The whole integrity of the investigation has
been questioned. Till now, you have not explained how Kausar Bi was
killed. Her manner of death is unknown.”

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:26:07 AM9/10/09
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http://blog.taragana.com/n/ahead-of-assembly-polls-vhp-distances-itself-from-bjp-163775/

Ahead of assembly polls, VHP distances itself from BJP

Ians September 9th, 2009 MUMBAI - Ahead of assembly elections in
Maharashtra, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Wednesday said it is
distancing itself from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for having
“failed to serve the cause of Hindus and Hindutva”.

VHP international president Ashok Singhal said that the BJP had
suffered reverses in the May 2009 Lok Sabha elections because it did
not do justice to the cause of Hindutva.

“If they continue in the same vein, they will face the same
consequences (in assembly polls),” Singhal told reporters.

He said that VHP has an 11-point charter, which includes construction
of Ram temple in Ayodhya, saving the Ganga river and protection of
cows. But none of the BJP candidates ever mentions these issues in
their election campaign.

“Now, we are seeing their plight,” he said.

When asked whether the BJP needed a change in leadership, Singhal
pointed out that it was an internal issue of the party and he was
neither associated with it nor was he speaking on its behalf.

“However, as far as the elections are concerned, the Hindus would
support those parties which will serve our 11-point charter. We are
not a political party, but we need a party which can save Hindus from
Islamic jihad,” he remarked.

Slamming BJP leader L.K. Advani, the VHP leader said that he undertook
the ‘rath-yatra’ in 1990 only to serve his personal political ends.

Singhal declined to comment as to why the BJP adopted double standards
in dealing with the issue of Pakistan founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah,
expelling former union minister Jaswant Singh from the party while
Advani continued to be its leader.

Sid Harth

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Sep 10, 2009, 10:28:47 AM9/10/09
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http://beacononline.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/new-delhi-has-indias-bjp-lost-the-plot/

NEW DELHI: Has India’s BJP lost the plot?
Posted by barunroy on September 9, 2009

FROM BBC NEWS SERVICE

NEWS SHARED BY ABDUL KALAM EZANI

In the past week India’s main opposition Hindu nationalist Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) has been wracked by infighting and a crisis of
leadership. Analyst Mahesh Rangarajan explains why this may be the
worst crisis facing the party.

Even seasoned observers of the Indian political scene have been caught
unawares by the speed with which the crisis in India’s main opposition
party is unravelling.

Ever since its second successive defeat in the general elections of
May 2009, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has embarked on a phase of
transition, most notably by introducing younger leaders into key posts
in parliament. But much of this work has come undone.

The party has expelled from its ranks one of its founder members,
Jaswant Singh, who had held the key portfolios of finance, foreign
affairs and defence. His book on Pakistan’s founder Mohammed Ali
Jinnah has also been banned by the state government in the party
stronghold of Gujarat.

Even as the party wrestles with issues of identity and ideology, it
seems in more disarray than ever in its nearly three decades of
existence.

Mass support

Founded in the summer of 1980 in the western city of Mumbai (then
Bombay), it was led by Atal Behari Vajpayee who espoused a centrist
strategy to act as a foil to the ruling Congress.

Once this strategy failed, it gave way six years later to a mood of
militant Hindutva, or Hindu-ness.

This was embodied best by his close associate LK Advani’s campaign to
build a temple at a disputed site in Ayodhya, which generated mass
support.

But the destruction of the disputed mosque at the site in 1992 led to
nationwide rioting and the party veered once again to the middle
ground.

This paved the way for Vajpayee-led governments.

The party itself has walked a fine line between posing as an alternate
pole of power and being a militant party defined by an ideological
core that stresses the Hindu-ness of India.

The latter has always been problematic in a country with a sizeable
population of other faiths including Muslims, Christians and Sikhs.

It eventually contributed to deep divisions between the party and its
regional allies, especially after the massacres of Muslims in Gujarat
in February 2002.

The general elections earlier this year saw the party lose for a
second time in a row.

Faced with a Congress-led alliance that emphasised welfare for the
poor and safety for religious minorities, the BJP came across as out
of touch with the times.

But what undercut the BJP was the eclipse of Atal Behari Vajpayee.

His successor, LK Advani, was unable to counter Congress charges of
having been party to a prisoners-for-hostages deal in December 1999 to
secure the release of passengers on a hijacked Air India flight that
was taken to Taliban-controlled Kandahar.

Meanwhile, in his own party, the octogenarian leader never recovered
from his praise for Mr Jinnah on a visit to that country in 2005.

Soft on terror, he was also seen as warming up to a historic figure
his own followers blame for the partition of 1947.

In a sense, the party and the wider cultural movement it is part of
are in a crisis of their own making.

In a country where seven of 10 people are below the age of 40, it is
the future and not the past that is a pressing concern.

Out of touch

Already in 2004, it lost as many as 17 of the 20 parliamentary seats
in the big metropolitan centres, a sure sign that it has lost its
sense of the popular pulse.

Further, a clutch of hitherto lower-caste groups has come to power in
much of northern India, undercutting the religious appeal of the BJP.

Where the party has retained power in west and central India, it has
done so with a mix of welfare and populist measures aimed at farmers,
women and the poor.

At the pan-Indian level, its “India Shining” campaign message of five
years ago failed to entice voters.

In a country where one in two children is malnourished it reinforced
its older image as a party of traders, priestly and the merchant
classes.

Mr Advani’s party is also out of touch with the wider shifts in the
mood in the region at large.

Religious symbols and icons continue to matter in politics but they
have a jaded air about them.

Religious polarisation last worked wonders for the party as long ago
as the Gujarat state elections of 2002.

Last winter even the terror strike on Mumbai known in popular parlance
as 26/11 did not polarise voters.

The leading religious trusts of Muslims in Mumbai refused to accept
the bodies of terrorists for burial on grounds that they had violated
the tenets of Islam.

If religion has less appeal in the political arena, so does the BJP’s
claim of being “a party with a difference”.

It has no leader who can challenge Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s
economic credentials.

On another front, it seriously underestimated the resilience of the
Nehru family, who with Rahul Gandhi as future leader make the middle-
aged opposition leaders look out of synch.

Dilemma

There is still room for the party to regroup; given the immensity of
the challenges the Congress-led alliance faces in governing India.

A drought due to the failure of the monsoon affects about half the
country. Prices of key food items are rising. The rapprochement with
Pakistan attempted by Prime Minister Singh has not won full
endorsement even in his own party ranks.

The BJP’s dilemma is that if it takes up the baton on Hindutva, it
will alienate not only potential regional allies but a vast middle
ground that has had enough of strife.

But the rank and file of the party and its affiliates is most at ease
with such emotive issues. Caught in this struggle between head and
heart, its leadership has been wavering ever since 2004.

Unlike Mr Vajpayee who was a master of saying little and being many
things to many men, his successors are caught in webs of their own
making.

The BJP is facing more than a crisis of leadership. It is facing a
crisis of direction.

chhotemianinshallah

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NEW DELHI: RSS keeps thinking cap warm for Jaswant’s son – Manvendra’s
silence earns him seat at meeting, Arun (Lewis Carroll) Shourie also
on list

Posted by barunroy on September 10, 2009

FROM THE TELEGRAPH

BY RADHIKA RAMASESHAN


Manvendra Singh

New Delhi, Sept. 9: Expelled BJP leader Jaswant Singh’s son Manvendra
Singh is on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s A-list of invitees for a
“thinkers meet” that began today in Utan, a north Mumbai suburb.

Arun Shourie, too, is on the list, though the former Union minister
had last month dubbed the BJP a Humpty Dumpty party and its chief
Rajnath Singh Alice in Blunderland, taunting the brass with words
borrowed from Lewis Carroll.

While the RSS has steadfastly backed Shourie, even after his stinger
missiles at L.K. Advani and Rajnath, the inclusion of former Rajasthan
MP Manvendra for the two-day session has drawn a mixed response from
the “parivar”.

“I am perfectly at home in the sylvan surroundings and look forward to
interacting with the RSS and BJP leaders in the meeting that’s about
to start,” Manvendra told The Telegraph.

BJP sources said Manvendra, a member of the party’s youth brigade, has
been attending this gathering for the past few years, including the
last held in 2004.

“I have not said or done anything against my party,” Manvendra said,
refusing to be drawn into the debate generated by his father’s book on
Pakistan’s founder Jinnah that led to Jaswant’s expulsion last month.

“This has not gone unnoticed by us and the Sangh,” a BJP source said.
“Manvendra could have easily spoken up for Jaswant Singhji but he lay
low. It boosted his ranking in the party.”

Parivar sources said the BJP-RSS hoped to blunt the criticism after
Jaswant’s sack and the ban on his book in Gujarat by “being nice” to
Manvendra.

After the Sangh’s endorsement, Manvendra, the sources said, is certain
to remain a member of the BJP’s national executive and mentor its
young MPs.

Other BJP leaders who figure on the “guest” list of 30 include
Rajnath, Sushma Swaraj, Murli Manohar Joshi and Bal Apte.

While Rajnath’s inclusion as party chief was self-explanatory, the
sources said, Apte unofficially functions as the RSS’s point man in
the party.

Joshi, regarded as a “loner” without a following, made it as an old
Sangh favourite. Sushma is seen as an Advani loyalist.

The list was personally drawn up by Sangh chief Mohanrao Bhagwat.

The objective, the sources said, was essentially to “broadbase” the
BJP representation and ensure every shade of opinion was articulated
at the meeting that is expected to focus on ideology, RSS-BJP equation
and the state of the party itself.

If Joshi is thought to represent the “conservatives” who believe that
ideology and governance cannot and should not be de-coupled, Sushma is
supposed to be closer to the Advani line of “de-ideologising
governance”.

Apart from members of the “parivar”, the invitees include sympathisers
and resource persons associated with it, the sources said.

Although the discussions would not be gridlocked by an agenda, the
sources conceded that the thrust would be on the BJP.

They expected a “positive” look ahead, grounded on two decisions the
RSS has more or less finalised: separation of the BJP’s parliamentary
and political wings and a state leader as the next party president.

The Sangh, it seems, has conveyed to Delhi leaders that if the BJP is
to retain its cadres, drawn principally from the RSS, they should give
Rajnath’s successor a “free hand” in organisational affairs and in
running the parliamentary party.

chhotemianinshallah

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SUARA KEADILAN'S BREAKING NEWSSeptember 5, 2009

Saffron Fascism: The rise and fall of the BJP UMNO WILL DISAPPEAR FOR
MISUSING THE MALAY ISLAM FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH

Filed under: Uncategorized — taxi2driver @ 5:14 pm

The deep crisis into which the Bharatiya Janata Party has plunged
itself in recent days should dispel fond notions about it which were
entertained in India as well as outside. People shut their eyes to its
dependence on the fascist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Hindu Liberation Army wants to rule the entire planet. Mr. Bharat
Verma is a strong proponent of the destruction of Pakistan and
conquest of Afghanistan

Why was the BJP set up at all when there already existed the Hindu
Mahasabha of the pre-partition days? The Mahasabha was founded in
1915, the RSS in 1925. But while the Mahasabha was avowedly a
political party, the RSS professed to be a ‘cultural’ one. Its culture
became apparent to Rajeshwar Dayal, chief secretary of the UP
government at the time of partition and later India’s high
commissioner to Pakistan.

As he mentioned in his memoirs, A Life of Our Times, he came across
damning evidence of the then RSS chief M.S. Golwalkar’s — L.K. Advani
& Co hails him as a ‘guru’ — plans to stage a pogrom of Muslims, with
maps and all. The chief minister, Gobind Ballabh Pant, refused to
order his arrest. He was arrested only after Gandhi’s assassination.

The sessions court acquitted the Hindu Mahasabha leader, V.D.
Savarkar, of the charge of conspiring that murder because the
approver, whose evidence was accepted, was not corroborated. Years
later, Savarkar’s aides deposed before a supreme court judge, Justice
Jeevan Lal Kapur, formerly of the Lahore bar, who held Savarkar guilty
of that conspiracy. L.K. Advani had Savarkar’s portrait hung in
Parliament House not far from Gandhi’s portrait.

Indian Hnduvata- Hindu extremism in India and beyond

Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, a member of Nehru’s cabinet, exerted every
nerve on behalf of his erstwhile mentor, Savarkar. He resigned after
the Nehru-Liaquat agreement on the minorities in April 1950. But he
could not return to the Mahasabha because he was party to a
constituent assembly resolution which urged a ban on communal parties.
He pleaded with the Mahasabha to open its doors to all; nominally, at
least. It refused. He then turned to the RSS.

A pact between Golwalkar and Mookerjee led to the foundation of the
Bharatiya Jan Sangh on Oct 21, 1951. He needed cadres for his
political platform. The RSS had the men, indoctrinated, disciplined
and amenable to its control. The RSS also felt the ‘need of a
political organisation which could reflect the ideology and ideas of
the RSS in the public sphere,’ wrote Mookerjee’s colleague Balraj
Madhok.

Golwalker is the founder of the RSS facists: Critics that accused
Golwalkar of fascism have often pointed to his extreme right-wing and
Anti-Muslim bigotry. In his 1939 book, “We, Our Nationhood Defined”,
Golwalkar expressed praise of Hitler, saying: To keep up the purity of
the Race and its culture, Germany shocked the world by her purging the
country of the semitic Races — the Jews. Race pride at its highest has
been manifested here. Germany has also shown how well nigh impossible
it is for Races and cultures, having differences going to the root, to
be assimilated into one united whole, a good lesson for us in
Hindusthan to learn and profit by.”

The RSS riveted its control over the Jan Sangh. Two presidents were
ousted, Madhok being one of them. After the emergency, the Jan Sangh,
with other major opposition parties, merged itself with the Janata
Party founded by Jayaprakash Narayan on March 1, 1977. But the issue
of dual membership could not be evaded. It led to the Jan Sangh’s
leaving the Janata Party and setting up the Bharatiya Janata Party —
as the real Janata Party. It had the honourable option of reviving the
Jan Sangh. It preferred subterfuge.

On Nov 6, 1977, when he was minister for external affairs in the
Janata government, Atal Behari Vajpayee said, ‘When we joined the
Janata Party, we had given up our old beliefs and faiths and there was
no question of going back.’ As Milton wrote, ‘Ease would recant Vows
made in pain, as violent and void.’ In 1985 he asked ‘When did we get
away from the Jan Sangh.’

Since it sailed under false colours the BJP had to initially adopt
slogans it did not believe in, such as ‘Gandhian socialism.’ Vajpayee
was its first president. The BJP won a mere two seats in the 1984
general elections. It bagged 85 in 1989. How? On Jan 31, 1986 the
locks on the gates of the premises of the Babri Masjid were opened. On
May 9, 1986 L.K. Advani became president of the BJP and made a Ram
temple on the site of the mosque an election issue. ‘I am sure it will
translate into votes,’ Advani predicted on June 11, 1989.

The next year he went on a rath yatra from the Somnath temple in the
former state of Junagadh to the Babri Masjid. The campaign culminated
in the mosque’s demolition on Dec 6, 1992 for which Advani still faces
criminal proceedings. A magistrate and a sessions judge found him
guilty prima facie. The trial is yet to begin. The BJP reaped an
electoral harvest securing 180 seats in 1998 and 182 in 1999 and
formed a ramshackle coalition government. In 2004, the gains fell to
138 and in 2009 to 117.

Wanted dead or alive Lal Krishna Advani

The temple issue cannot be revived; the soufflé rises only once
Hindutva has lost its charm. L.K. Advani promised to step down as
leader of the opposition but reneged on his word. In 2005 the RSS had
ejected him from the office of the president of the BJP after his trip
to Pakistan. His remarks on Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah offended
the RSS and almost all in the BJP. Now he stands stripped of moral
authority.

The RSS supremo Mohan Bhagwat has been trying to devise as dignified a
succession as the circumstances permit. The term of the BJP president,
Rajnath Singh, expires this year. Three posts are up for grabs — the
BJP’s president and the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha (the
crucial lower house) and the Rajya Sabha.

Very many in India and a significant few in Pakistan, including a
couple of able diplomats who ought to have known better, hoped that
the BJP would emerge as a strong rightwing party which would provide a
stable government at home and follow a liberal foreign policy; witness
Vajpayee’s visit to the Minar-i-Pakistan. They overlooked two factors.
Both were well described by authorities of distinction.

Terrorist Wanted dead or alive: Bal Thakery

The French scholar Christophe Jaffrelot pointed out in his excellent
book The Hindu Nationalist Movement in India, that ‘a division of
labour then (in 1989) took place between Advani and Vajpayee who
presented a more moderate face of Hindu nationalism.’ Vajpayee joined
the RSS in 1939. As late as on Aug 11, 2000 he took the RSS pledge.
‘The Sangh is my soul,’ he once asserted. The RSS could force him to
decline a portfolio to someone it did not like.

The second factor was described by Walter K. Andersen and Sridhar
Damle in their work The Brotherhood in Saffron: ‘The BJP for its part
will try to develop into a national political force, but it is
questionable whether it can do so with a cadre drawn largely from the
RSS.

‘On the other hand, it is questionable if the BJP could survive
politically without the RSS cadre, and the cadre will not stay unless
the leadership of the party stays firmly in the hands of the
brotherhood.’ Kuldip Nayyar. The writer is an author and a lawyer.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sangh Samachar

BJP chief admits to RSS running the BJP

Posted in Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh by ravi
on July 31, 2007

Why is this newsworthy? Because the Sangh is admitting the truth!
Here’s an excerpt from the Outlook interview.

Question: On January 29 this year, you had removed Modi from the BJP’s
highest decision-making body—the parliamentary board. At the same time
Arun Jaitley was removed as chief spokesperson of the BJP. Did you act
under RSS pressure or advice?

Rajnath: The media made too much of it. These were routine changes.
Okay, the RSS was consulted. In Modi’s case it was 70 per cent RSS and
30 per cent my decision. In Jaitley’s case the responsibility was
50:50.
As pointed out by the Times of India,

The statement undercuts the denials by both BJP and RSS about the
latter’s involvement in the party’s decision making. While organically
linked, BJP has preferred to keep up the pretence of autonomy vis-a-
vis Sangh, while Sangh itself professes disinterest in the affairs of
the party.
Here’ s the rest of the TOI report (all emphases mine):

The Sangh leadership was, naturally, not amused by the statement which
can be a weapon in critics’ hands. Approached by TOI, RSS leader Ram
Madhav said, “He has to clarify what he means by 70% and 30%.
Decisions are taken by the party. You can consult anyone including the
RSS, that’s a normal practice, but on what basis do you say that the
decisions were taken by the Sangh… of course there is a possibility
that he (Singh) may have been misquoted.”

The controversial statement comes in the aftermath of the perception
about RSS getting increasingly involved in the routine affairs of BJP
under the current leadership. Singh took over the party’s reins from L
K Advani who was asked to step down by Sangh leadership because of his
controversial remarks on Jinnah.

Advani had made his displeasure known by complaining about Sangh’s bid
to micro-manage party affairs. While his protest did not evoke much
support, the perception about Sangh’s interference has led to
heartburn.

While no one has gone public, it is only because of the reverence for
senior Sangh leaders. Murmurs against RSS functionaries who have been
imposing their choices have been on the rise. Their role has been
called into question also with regard to the recent UP polls. Party
circles lament that while they have got the flak, Sangh functionaries
who interfered at every stage have gone unscathed.
If the RSS is not happy about an open acknowledgment of its
relationship with the BJP, Rajnath’s statement has got to be
retracted, right? This is exactly what the BJP has done. Here is its
letter to Outlook, reproduced in full:

Dear Shri Mehta,

The Bharatiya Janata Party and its National President are deeply
distressed over the cavalier manner in which your magazine Outlook
(dated 06 August 2007) has published the interview of Shri Rajnath
Singh ji. The interview contains certain statements which he never
made, his observations have been deliberately distorted and quoted out
of context and there is a palpable attempt to maliciously convey a
negative image.

It is evident that there appears to be a motive behind this distortion
and the fact that the interview of Shri Rajnath Singh ji was given in
Hindi and has been published in English; has been conveniently
manipulated and distorted to suit this purpose. In particular, I would
like to emphasize that Shri Rajnath Singh ji never made the
uncharitable comments or statistical reference in the decision making
process against his party colleagues and the two senior leaders of the
party Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Shri L K Advani. Many of the
observations about the RSS were either not made by Shri Rajnath Singh
ji or have been quoted out of context.

The party would like to place on record its contradiction and
condemnation of the objectionable manner in which your publication has
gone ahead and distorted the interview.

Yours truly

(Ravi Shankar Prasad)
Spokesperson

I can only hope Outlook recorded the interview, and can call the BJP’s
bluff! If your appetite hasn’t been whetted yet, here’s another juicy
excerpt from the Outlook interview (all emphases mine).

Question: Your critics say that some RSS leaders have begun to have
second thoughts about your leadership and that you will be nothing
without the RSS…

Rajnath: The media is really trying to create a story. The RSS is
united and does not have factions. I am loyal to the RSS and it backs
me completely. I have worked for the Sangh from my early youth. I have
propagated their ideology from the beginning. Yes, you are right I
would be nothing without the RSS.

bademiyansubhanallah

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http://www.livemint.com/2009/09/10223703/CPM-RSS-8216sharpening-com.html?h=B

CPM: RSS ‘sharpening communal passions’According to the CPM, such
communal passions are aimed at causing polarization, with the aim of
reaping benefits in the forthcoming assembly election in Maharashtra

Ruhi Tewari

New Delhi: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM has accused
the ideological parent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—the
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of “sharpening communal passions in
the country.” In an editorial in the forthcoming issue of its party
mouthpiece—People’s Democracy, the CPM says the RSS appears to have
assumed the reins of direct control of the BJP after the latter’s
continued internal dissesions.

“This, we had apprehended, would bring the aggressive hardcore
Hindutva agenda to the fore which cannot but sharpen communal passions
disturbing peace and harmony,” the editorial states, claiming these
apprehensions have come true with the simmering communal tensions in
the districts of Sangli and Kolhapur in western Maharashtra.

According to the CPM, such communal passions are aimed at causing
polarization, with the aim of reaping benefits in the forthcoming
assembly election in Maharashtra.

“A week after communal riots broke out in western Maharashtra’s Sangli
and Kolhapur districts, the saffron combine derived much wanted
political mileage out of it ahead of the assembly polls,” the
editorial adds.

The piece further questions the ruling Congress-NCP combine in the
state for its inability to prevent these tensions from escalating.

bademiyansubhanallah

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Embarrassed Centre sacks law officer for Ishrat affidavit

Submitted by admin4 on 10 September 2009 - 9:38pm.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,

New Delhi: Embarrassed with the revelation that its own affidavit had
endorsed the Narendra Modi government’s position in the June 2004
Ishrat Jahan encounter – which has now been proved fake by a
magisterial probe – the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre
yesterday sacked its Ahmedabad-based law officer who was responsible
for the affidavit.

The Union Law Ministry has removed the law officer, whose name the
ministry has not disclosed, from the panel of law officers appointed
to represent the Centre in the Gujarat High Court. Media reports say
some more heads could roll since the Centre was not kept informed with
the developments related to the encounter case.

Mumbai college girl Ishrat Jahan and three others were killed in an
encounter in Ahmedabad on June 15, 2004. After killing the four the
Gujarat police had claimed that they were Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives
on a mission to kill Chief Minister Narendra Modi. When the parent of
Ishrat approached the Gujarat High Court for a CBI probe the Centre
had opposed it in an affidavit and said that the four the suspected
terrorists.

Now that the Ahmedabad Metropolitan Magistrate SP Tamang has concluded
in his report that the four were innocents and they were killed in
cold blood by the top police officials of Gujarat just to please Modi
and ensure promotions, the central government’s affidavit has come to
haunt it.

bademiyansubhanallah

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:. Modi's vampires again

Ishrat 'encounter' probe report pinpoints the rot in system and
society

The term 'fake encounter' has been so over-used and misused that by
now it has come to partially hide the heinousness of the crime
involved in this act of brutal murder. The frequency and scale of
'fake encounters' has nearly dulled common sensitivity to the extent
that the perpetrators of the inhuman act and their protectors have no
compunction in offering justification for taking human lives with
utter disregard to law, justice and decency. The shocking revelations
contained in the latest judicial inquiry report about ghastly murder
of Ishrat Jahan and three others by the notorious gang of killers in
Gujarat police uniform comes on the heels of a similar case involving
the very same gang-of-four in the murder of another innocent Indian
citizen. The judicial report leaves nothing to guess about why these
habitual killers had let themselves loose and who were they looking up
to for 'reward'. Skeletons tumbling out of his cupboard have by now
made Narendra Modi-led Gujarat government a byword for practising
naked communal hatred, patronising licensed killing of innocent
citizens and vulture-like gratification in doing the 'deed'. The
judicial probe has boldly held that Ishrat, 19 year college girl, and
her friends had been targeted for brutal killing 'because they were
Muslims'. The motive, according to the judicial magistrate's findings,
was to gratify the chief minister (Modi), obviously because of his
known anti-Muslim bias and to secure 'award' for eliminating
'terrorists'. The report totally dismissed the theory that Ishrat and
her three companions travelling in a car from Mumbai to Ahmedabad on
that fateful day in 2004 were armed and that they had fired upon being
challenged by the Gujarat police who were lying in wait. The judge
cited solid evidence to reject the contention that the victims had
planned to kill Modi.

What is more disturbing is that these four police officers had felt
encouraged to commit one murder after the other by being rewarded for
it instead of being put in the dock. Far from questioning their
conduct, they had become the face of the Modi regime. With the chief
minister himself resorting to unabashed Muslim baiting,
notwithstanding universal condemnation of his role in the post Godhra
anti-Muslim pogrom in Ahmedabad , his administration had let loose
these killers to 'practice' what he preached. Thus a pattern was
adopted to produce 'terrorists' and eliminate them in 'encounter'. For
sure, Gujarat is not the only state where this has been happening.
Underworld-related encounters in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra
are a case in the point. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have their own
versions of this saga. In Jammu and Kashmir it is such a familiar
routine of anti-insurgency operations that one does not talk about it
anymore. Even so, Gujarat retains the dubious distinction of giving a
free licence to its killers and rewarding them audaciously. That is as
good as cocking a snook at everything that a civilised society is
supposed to stand for-morality, constitution, law, justice and
fairness. It is like rubbing salt into the wound to see Gujarat
information minister Jaynarain Vyas and his BJP patrons in Delhi
coming forward to decry the findings of a judicial magistrate
belonging to the Modi government itself and going on to defend the
killers who are already behind bars for their involvement in a similar
earlier case. The familiar pattern is to somehow cook evidence to
create 'terrorists' out of innocent Muslims, stage fake encounter,
weave a sensational story and be done with it.

Unfortunately, as it turns out in the particular case of Ishrat, even
the Congress government at the centre allowed itself to become Modi's
accomplice, though only partially. The central government had in its
affidavit endorsed the Gujarat police version that the 19 year college
girl was a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant. That support was enough for the
Modi regime to justify criminal murder in fake encounter. Mercifully,
the judicial magistrate has trashed both the state and central
governments' contention and held that none of the four including
Ishrat was a terrorist and that they did not carry any firearms as
claimed by the Gujarat police nor was there any evidence of cross
firing. The report has left nothing to doubt what the encounter
actually was---a criminal act of murder of innocent citizens because
they happened to be Muslims and had the misfortune of straying into
Modi's Gujarat. The big question now is to see how the system goes
about delivering justice. Modi government and the BJP have given
enough indication of their intention to derail any such action. They
have succeeded so far. Only the time can tell whether with Ishrat's
innocent blood on their hands these habitual killers get what they
deserve or manage to go scot free as in the past. The outcome will
determine whether we are a civilised society or not. That is the stake
involved in this case.

[editorial-Kashmir Times-Sep 10, 2009]

Posted on 10 Sep 2009 by Webmaster

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 8:16:12 PM9/10/09
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Killings are 'state policy' for some in the govt

11 Sep 2009, 0046 hrs IST,

Between September 2002 and April 24, 2007 when DIG Gujarat Rajnish Rai
arrested the cops designated by Gujarat’s top political brass “to kill
some Teesta Setalvad Secretary, Citizens for Justice and Peace people
to prove that Gujarat police is strong”, 21 persons were unlawfully
shot dead by a gang in which DIG Border Range, Vanzara played a
proactive part.

Two months later, DSP Gujarat NK Amin met the same fate and since
then, this scourge of extra judicial killings to “protect the lives of
CM Narendra Modi and BJP chief LK Advani” miraculously stopped.
Killings by policemen in cold blood are sadly not the sole preserve of
the Gujarat police. Unaccountable actions by law enforcement agencies
fed by our intelligence, happen all across India. They are not simply
guilty of taking innocent lives but enjoy protection from
prosecution.

What is unique to Gujarat is an unabashed celebration of this unlawful
state of affairs. Gujarat minister Jaynayaran Vyas’ aggressive
response to a judicial magistrate’s report that exposed the lies in
the killings of Ishrat Jahan and three others proves the point.

The state government was unable to make the requisite distance between
the state executive and its police, owning completely the actions of
its men. In early 2007, when IG Geeta Johri and her team investigated
Sohrabuddin’s and Kauserbi’s killings, a trail that led to the
farmhouse of Girish Patel, Gujarat’s home minister responsible for
internal security (sic), Amit Shah tampered with the probe that has
since ground to a standstill.

There is a reason for the state government’s brazen ownership of these
actions. As far back as June 28, 2002, within months of the genocidal
pogrom, the state’s chief secretary, Subha Rao instructed then ADGP RB
Sreekumar that “we (Gujarat police) should eliminate persons who try
and disturb social peace and that such a policy is a decision of the
CM”.

When the officer did not oblige, he was transferred. Within weeks the
first killing was reported. Sections of the Gujarat government are not
simply culpable but have adopted “encounter” killings as state policy.
The policy woven at the top was executed by a small coterie who then
curried favours, collected wealth and enjoyed promotions.

The basic issue is about the highest in the land being accountable to
Indian law and being punished if they cynically wield their power.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:10:28 PM9/10/09
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RSS invites Shourie, Jaswant's son to its 'intellectual conclave'
Poornima Joshi

New Delhi, September 10, 2009

After the BJP's chintan baithak at Shimla last month, it's the RSS's
turn to hold an exclusive meeting.

The 'intellectuals' meet' of the Sangh began in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The two-day meeting is an annual affair, organised by the former RSS
spokesperson Ram Madhav.

The list of invitees is long and exhaustive, including some
interesting choices such as the BJP's resident rebel Arun Shourie and
Jaswant Singh's son Manvendra Singh. The names of the usual suspects
such as Swapan Dasgupta, Chandan Mitra, Tarun Vijay, Sheshadri Chari
et al is there in the list, of course.

Among the BJP's top leaders, L.K. Advani, Rajnath Singh and Sushma
Swaraj were invited.

Shourie continues to be a favourite of the RSS despite his outbursts
against the BJP top brass. Shourie, though, has reportedly decided
against attending the meeting.

Rajnath, too, has decided not to go. The recent turbulence has perhaps
made top BJP leaders wary of intellectual churnings of the kind that
happened in Shimla.

But Manvendra has made a point to attend the meeting. The former MP is
apparently steering clear of the virtual war between his father and
the BJP. "I am with the BJP. I am here to attend a meeting. I have no
information about who else has been invited," Manvendra said.

Courtesy: Mail Today

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:13:58 PM9/10/09
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RSS chief meets Bal Thackeray, discusses Assembly polls
PTI

Mumbai, September 10, 2009

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray at the
latter's Matoshree residence in suburban Bandra on Thursday and
discussed matters related to state Assembly polls among other issues.

In a brief meeting with Thackeray, Bhagwat inquired about his health,
Sena sources said.

The duo also discussed issues related to the state Assembly polls,
scheduled on October 13, they said.

Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray, Sena leader Subhash Desai
and BJP General Secretary Gopinath Munde were present.

Bhagwat was in Mumbai to attend a two-day meet of senior RSS and BJP
leaders.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:17:53 PM9/10/09
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Advani fights back RSS with 'supremo' plan
Poornima Joshi

New Delhi, September 6, 2009

L.K. Advani is not to be brow-beaten into retirement. The old warhorse
is believed to have figured an ingenious method to survive the
generational change that the RSS is bent on effecting in the
beleaguered BJP. The contours of a brilliant survival strategy that
establishes Advani in a slot equivalent to Sonia Gandhi's position in
the Congress parliamentary party are now visible.

He is believed to be more focused on becoming the supreme leader of
the BJP parliamentary party rather than fading into the sunset as
chairman of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), a post so far
occupied by senior BJP leader and former prime minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee.

So, while Advani has reportedly conceded to the RSS that he would
relinquish the post of the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha in favour
of Sushma Swaraj, the wheels have also been set in motion to amend the
BJP parliamentary party constitution.

In the Congress parliamentary party, the chairperson (at present,
Sonia Gandhi) is supreme while there are leaders in both the Houses of
Parliament. However, the BJP constitution provides for only two
positions - the leader of the legislature party (a member of the Lower
House) and the deputy leader (from the Upper House).

Advani, the senior-most BJP member in the Lok Sabha, is the leader of
the legislature party. Since the BJP is also the largest Opposition
party, Advani became the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

"If Swaraj has to replace Advani as the Leader of Opposition," a BJP
source said, "he has to step down from the post of the leader of the
BJP legislature party because, according to the BJP constitution, the
legislature party leader is also the leader of the Lower House. Swaraj
should be the BJP's leader in the Lower House in order to become the
Leader of Opposition."

Advani is believed to have anointed Swaraj as his successor, and the
belief was that he would resign as leader of the legislature party and
let Swaraj take over. But this is where the script takes a twist.

Sources said intense lobbying has begun in the parliamentary party to
amend its constitution to create the post of chairman of the
parliamentary party for Advani as well as having a leader each in the
Upper and Lower Houses.

In the Congress, Pranab Mukherjee leads the Congress parliamentary
party in the Lower House, while Manmohan Singh is the leader of the
Upper House. Sonia Gandhi is chairperson of the Congress parliamentary
party and the supreme leader. This allows her a seat next to the Prime
Minister and Pranab Mukherjee in the front row of the Lok Sabha.

If the new plan is approved, Advani will be chairman of the BJP
legislature party, with Swaraj as leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha
and Arun Jaitley as leader of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha.

A BJP source said: "This move is aimed at re-establishing Advani's
supremacy in the legislature party, and also to ensure parity in the
second- rung BJP leadership which will be disturbed if Swaraj takes as
over as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha as well as being the
leader of the BJP legislature party. With Advani as chairman, both
Swaraj and Jaitley are kept reasonably at par." Interestingly, the BJP
parliamentary party constitution provides for such a move. The Advani
camp does not even have to seek approval of the BJP's national council
or its national executive. The amendment can be approved by the
parliamentary party itself.

However, there are two problems for Advani - the RSS and BJP president
Rajnath Singh.

The RSS will certainly not approve of this move. Its Sarsanghchalak
Mohan Bhagwat has already indicated in no uncertain terms that Advani
must retain moral authority by not holding on to any post.

Also, Rajnath Singh still has a hold over the procedural aspect of
this plan. According to the BJP constitution, for election to the
parliamentary party, a general body meeting has to be convened by
giving a 15-day notice.

More importantly, the election is to be conducted by a person
authorised by the BJP president.

"Advani is not to be outdone by the RSS so easily," a BJP source said.
"Even in the face of a public takeover by the Sangh, he has collected
his band of followers and will launch a counter-offensive."

Courtesy: Mail Today

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Marketing the RSS
Priya Sahgal

September 5, 2009

Their ideology and policies have not changed but it seems that the RSS
is realising that in order to spread its message it needs to change
its image in keeping with the times. The new chief Mohan Bhagwat may
be as rigid as his predecessor Sudarshan but he appears more benign
and grandfatherly, giving TV interviews with rolled up sleeves,
offering 'suggestions' to the BJP with a smile . This makes a change
from the surly Sudarshan lashing out at Vajpayee-Advani duo. Bhagwat
is also more accessible to the media and has increased the number of
spokesmen to six. Also, the medium of communication is being upgraded,
with door-to-door knocks by old men in khaki shorts having been
replaced by e-shakhas and prachars by appointment (that is a corporate
style of functioning but as a RSS worker said, it works better in the
condiminiums of Gurgaon ! ) Apart from a website, the RSS is there on
various social networking sites. There are also rumours that the
khaki shorts may go in for a make-over. Clearly its catwalk time at
Keshav Kunj.

More than One CM in Delhi

There seems to be more than one CM office in New Delhi. Call the
Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his office answers the phone with a
'CM's Office' greeting. While, the CM stands for Commerce Minister,
why is Sharma forgetting his other portfolio that of Industry? Or
would that spoil his favourite daydream of being a CM one day. Never
mind, if he cannot be chief minister of Himachal. He gets to be CM of
a little corner plot in Udyog Bhavan.

Birds of a feather don't flock together

There is a turf war going on in the Congress between two middle-aged,
middle-rung ministers who all have the same USP - articulate, adept at
crafting speeches and very media savvy. And of course they both have
the same target -- courting favour at 12 Tughlaq Lane. Since both have
the same USP they were both key players in the Congress war room
strategising for the Lok Sabha win. Of course that they took pot shots
at each other ensured that this was a war room in more ways than one.
Soon after both have got plum portfolios in the ministry but the
potshots at each other have not stopped.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 10, 2009, 9:37:00 PM9/10/09
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Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Saffron brotherhood in disarray

Z.A. KhanTHE saffron's road to the top was mapped mainly by those who
believe in Hindu revivalism as they apprehended that Hinduism was
endangered. This conclusion has been drawn basing on the perception
that "the political assertiveness of minority groups like the Sikhs
and Muslims, efforts to convert the Hindus to other faith, suspicion
that the political authorities are 'pandering' to minority groups and
the belief that foreign political and religious ideologies undermine
Hindu community bonds."

Rashtriya Swayamsebak Sangh (RSS), which is considered as the steel
frame behind the recent fillip that Hindutva got in India, is feeling
restive at the sight of the insularity that Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) -- an amalgam of the pro Hindutva political forces -- has
plunged itself into. The current murky situation, which stems from the
severe blow that it received in the last national election, has
shattered the confidence of the leadership, and a feeling of being
rudderless is prevailing among the rank and file of the party.

We have observed in India a spate in the growth of religious
revivalism in the last few decades, which is also noticeable in the
other countries of the South Asian subcontinent. This religious
revivalism is not only spreading its wings in the political domain,
the countdown of the spread of its influence began in other sectors of
national life as well since the '80s of the last century --
reflections of which can also be felt in the social and cultural
fields. Religion is being used as a bargaining chip to make political
gains.

Some of the revivalist groups speak of defending the traditional
religious orthodoxy while some others are favouring an integration of
fundamental religious tenets with more adoptable and time and space
friendly revisions. Thankfully, so far, no report of discord between
the revivalists traditional orthodoxy and the revisionists' passionate
liberalism has come about to cause major concern. To many, both the
groups have much more to do to gain political mileage.

The recent national election in India gave the verdict against the BJP-
RSS nexus. One might be inclined to blame the BJP's hyped emphasis on
promoting Hindutva for this appalling performance in the election. The
massive mandate in favour of the Congress stemmed from BJP's clinging
to traditionalist politicians, who refused to budge from playing
Hindutva card, which they played deftly in 1999, by whipping up
religious feeling of the majority Hindus through RathYarta from
Shomnath Temple to Ayodha. This culminated in the demolition of the
Babri Mosque, which they think was built on a site where there was a
Ram Temple.

Although the RathYarta gave them the dividend of ruling the largest
democratic country in the world, it alienated the second largest
religious community who felt unsafe at the government's patronisation
of Hindutva. Muslims were constrained to face a massacre in Gujrat --
the home of a few stalwarts of BJP including L.K. Advani -- during BJP
rule. Religious intolerance in Mahatma Gandhi's -- the prophet of non-
violence -- country of took heavy toll and tore apart the fabric of
communal harmony, which was not much savoured by many across the
communities.

This made the opposition Congress draw up the strategy of territorial
nationalism as a compromise, and it was able to woo the regions that
did not have a predominance of Hindus, or places where minorities
lived hand-in-glove with the majority community that believe in
liberal religious bias. Insofar as political outlook is concerned, the
non-BJP parties, unitedly or singly, ruled the roost despite intense
efforts of BJP to win the majority community faction of the region.

The other reason for the failure attributed to the BJP is the upsurge
of militancy among the Hindu following the much-publicised conversion
of low caste Hindus to Islam or Christianity in the poorer regions of
India. Deep regional, linguistic and social division among Hindus, as
well as inability to enliven their religious institutions because of
local opposition, has acted as an impediment in catching up with
majority voters. The regions largely populated by the low caste Hindu
found the BJP-RSS combine intensely "aggressive and tended to reflect
Kshatriya (warrior) world view."

The Congress, which had carefully crafted its political agenda, made
sure that it did not hurt the renegades of Tilak (regarded as BJP's
spearhead) who thought that Gandhi's ahimsa (non-violence) "nearly
uprooted the very principal of Hinduism and Aryan philosophy, which is
against the Hindu ethics, and proposed that the sacred canon made self-
protection (probably of religious faith) a higher duty than ahimsa.

BJP's past guru Kurtkoti Shankaracharya was of the view that ahimsa,
as employed by Gandhi, undermined Hindu self-respect and encouraged
the Muslims to dominate the Hindus. The national election of 2009 has
revealed to BJP how serious is its lack of understanding of modern
India, which is a partner in the globalisation program that gives
primacy to economic development and partnership among the global
family -- where faith alone should not be the guiding agenda for
political culture.

The recent infighting within the BJP leadership exposes its weakness
in handling the views that contradict its traditional orthodox
outlook. "The Hindu Mahashava, formed as a forum for protecting the
variety of Hindu interests (e.g. cow protection, Hindi, Devangri
script, caste reforms etc), which renamed itself as BJP and
amalgamated itself with Bishwa Hindu Parishad and its youth outfit RSS
could not divorce itself from the orthodox tradition.

Although it rose like a rocket in the late '80s and in the early '90s,
it fell like a hot brick in recent years. As a consequence of the
remarks of India's former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh about Mr.
M.A. Jinnah of Pakistan, BJP got embroiled in a bitter debate, which
led to the expulsion of one of the prominent members of the BJP
hierarchy. It has created shock waves in both the hierarchy and the
lower echelon, and brought to fore its embedded weakness.

Mr. Rajnath, Mr. Advani, Mr. Naidu, Mr. Narendra Modi and the likes of
them are known to be hardliners who favour pursuance of Hindutva
despite the negative verdict that it received in the last election,
but are on the wane at the national level. Volleys of flak from all
round have targeted them, and it is just a matter of time before they
are dispatched to oblivion.

The upcoming leadership of BJP does not promise much to lead the party
to its past glory. The sliding BJP is now sniffing to find new
leadership to match its arch-rival, the Congress. The disarrayed BJP
hopes that further shocks may not come to crumble its Hindutva edifice
built over the years, much to the dislike of secular segments of
India. If leaders like Varun Gandhi are entrusted to lead the party,
it may peg the last nail on its coffin before long.

Only now have people realised that BJP's image as the party of "holier
than thou" people is a facade and a mere build up. The expulsion of
Singh and banning of his book in Narendra Modi's Gujrat state are but
indicators of BJP's scepticism about its future. Its outlook about the
freedom of expression proved negative because of the expulsion, which
is destined to be despised in fiercely democratic India.

Z.A. Khan is a former Director General of Bangladesh Institute of
International and Strategic Studies.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 12:24:16 AM9/11/09
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Sangh keeps thorns away
- Duo left out to ensure ‘neutral’ talks

RADHIKA RAMASESHAN

New Delhi, Sept. 10: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh left two of its
point men on the BJP out of its “thinkers meet” for fear that their
presence would hit the credibility of its efforts to “clean up” the
party.

Senior swayamsevak Madan Das Devi and Sangh No. 3 Suresh Soni are
perceived to have often pursued their own agendas instead of the Sangh
mandate and, in the process, got sucked into the BJP’s “coterie”
politics.

The two-day sitting in Utan, a Mumbai suburb, that ended today was
meant to discuss the state of the BJP and draw the outlines of a
revival plan through “free-wheeling” discussions, sources said.

Sangh chief Mohanrao Bhagwat was apparently keen that his message of
“will advise the BJP only if it is solicited” should not get diluted
through the presence of “politicking” representatives. “He wanted the
discussions to be neutral,” a source said.

Devi was the Sangh’s conduit to the BJP when the NDA was in power.
K.S. Sudarshan, then Sangh chief, was said to be unhappy with the
numerous truces Devi struck with the Vajpayee government just when
Sudarshan and hard-line parivar lobbies hoped to take a tough stand on
issues such as Ayodhya and PSU divestment.

“There was a feeling that Devi had departed from the directives from
Keshav Kunj (the Sangh headquarters),” a source said.

Soni is seen as having played BJP factions against each other. Uma
Bharti has accused him of scuttling her plans to return to the BJP.

Soni is said to have catalysed Rajnath Singh’s appointment as party
president but “abandoned” him mid-stream and cosied up to his rivals.

Devi’s well-wishers, however, argued he was one of the few within the
Sangh who understood a coalition government’s compulsions.

Devi, a “lateral entrant” from student wing ABVP, was also accused of
being “alien” to the Sangh’s “culture of iron discipline”.

“He pushed appointments in government and patronised friends and
acquaintances,” a source said. Devi was not available for comment.

Devi had been crucial in making L.K. Advani the Deputy Prime Minister
and has been, willy-nilly, dubbed a “friend of Advani”.

He never regained the clout he had during the six years of NDA rule.
He is now a “pracharak pramukh” and out of Bhagwat’s “panchayat”.

However, in the past month or so, when Bhagwat involved himself with
the BJP, Devi had resurfaced, hoping to leverage his links with the
leaders to regain importance.

“It seems the sarsanghachalak (Bhagwat) has nipped his ambitions,” a
source said.

Soni, a joint secretary, continues as the Sangh’s interface with the
BJP but Bhagwat had asked him to stay out of the party’s Shimla
“chintan baithak” to retain the Sangh’s “non-political” veneer. His
colleague Dattatraya Hosable got invited to the Sangh “thinkers”
conclave.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 12:33:55 AM9/11/09
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Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:09:35 AM9/11/09
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ishrat-case-Intelligence-not-enough-proof-for-killing-people-says-PC/articleshow/4997621.cms

Ishrat case: Intelligence not enough proof for killing people, says PC
PTI 11 September 2009, 10:13am IST

WASHINGTON: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday attacked the
BJP government in Gujarat on the affidavit in the controversial Ishrat
Jahan encounter case, saying Central intelligence inputs cannot be
used as conclusive proof for killing people.

"If a state government acts as though intelligence inputs are evidence
or conclusive proof, I am sorry for that state government... Certainly
no one suggested that based on an intelligence input you should kill
someone," he told a press conference here joining issues with the
Gujarat government over the central government affidavit in the state
High Court relating to the encounter killing of Ishrat and three of
her companions in June 2004.

"I think too much is being attributed to that affidavit if it is meant
to defend the government of Gujarat against the excesses that may have
been committed by its police. I am sorry for the government of Gujarat
and the manner in which it runs its police administration," he said.

"What did the affidavit say?," he asked and added: "To the best of my
knowledge the affidavit says that intelligence inputs were shared with
the Gujarat government."

On Monday, a report of the investigation conducted by magistrate S P
Tamang said Ishrat and three others were gunned down in fake encounter
by police officers for selfish motives.

However, Gujarat government rejected the report saying the Union
Government's affidavit clearly stated that Ishrat and the other three
were LeT operatives and were planning terror strikes in Gujarat.

That affidavit must be read in the context, Chidambaram said when
asked about the controversy on the affidavit filed by the Center in
the Gujarat High Court in the Ishrat Jahan and the other three
encounter case.

"You cannot read into it what it does not say. I think it is self-
evident that intelligence inputs are not evidence, much less
conclusive proof. They are just inputs. They are shared with
governments on a regular basis. That is not evidence. That is not
conclusive proof," he argued.

The four persons, claimed to have been killed by the police in an
encounter on the outskirts of the city on June 15, 2004 were Ishrat,
Javed Ghulam Sheikh alias Pranesh Kumar Pillai, Amjad Ali alias
Rajkumar Akbar Ali Rana and Jisan Johar Abdul Gani. Gujarat Police had
also claimed that the four persons were on a mission to kill Chief
Minister Narendra Modi.

...and I am Sid Harth

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:15:40 AM9/11/09
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Their Kasab, Our Kasabs

By Dr. Shah Alam Khan

10 September, 2009
Countercurrents.org

Ajmal Kasab, the Butcher of Mumbai, is a house hold name in India and
Pakistan. It can be safely argued that after Mohammed Ali Jinnah,
Ajmal Kasab may be the only name in the subcontinent which raises
equally avid feelings and blistering debates across the Radcliffe
line. He was trained to kill and he did his job with frightening
exactness and in cold blood. He killed and broadened the horizon of
savagery for future generations. He killed because he was primed to
kill. Whatever the reasons for his killing hundreds of innocent
Mumbaikars, to me he was a product of a system which is now
established in Pakistan. The system of failure. However maligning it
may sound to my friends across the border, the failure of Pakistan as
a state is too evident to be ignored. The failure of democratic
issues, freedom of speech, cogent leadership and failure of coherent
thinking in the Pakistani administrative set up is barefaced. The
social fabric of Pakistan as a nation has been split open by forces
born out of its misadventures of the past. These forces now threaten
to annihilate the country.

Well we can add more adjectives to the failure of Pakistan. But just
before we do that lets focus on “our” Kasabas. The Indian Kasabs. The
men who were born in an authentic democratic set up, nursed and
nurtured by the so called righteous political class of our country.
Men brought up in “shining India”. Men who are innately Indian but
behave like the Kasabs of Pakistan. Can we ignore them? Surely not.

The recent report of the magisterial enquiry into the encounter of
Ishrat Jahan is a grim reminder of our Kasabs. The metropolitan court
has alarmingly called the killing of this 19 year old girl as a fake
encounter. It is important to remember that her death at the hands of
our Kasabs is a matter of great concern in a civilized society. She is
not the only one. Sohrabuddin Sheikh, Kausar bi, Ranbir Singh, Rabina
Devi, Ch. Sanjit are just few of the names which epitomize the
presence of werewolves in the Indian administrative machinery.
According to one report, there are allegedly 28 fake encounters in
Gujarat alone. The Indian Kasabs are surely working overtime!

We justify (and rightly so) the likes of Ajmal Kasab through the
failed state theory. But can we apply the same to his Indian
counterparts? I wish I couldn’t. To me India hasn’t failed as a
democracy as long as it comes to organizing elections and electing
peoples’ representatives. Roots of democracy as a process of elections
are deeply ingrained in our psyche and any attempt at uprooting this
thought process is met with stiff resistance. Then what went wrong?
Why did we breed Kasabs in the land of Gandhi and Buddha? The answer
to this question is complex and painful.

Unfortunately our democracy starts and ends with elections. The
broader meaning of democratic rights and duties is lost in the mayhem
of electing men and women who conveniently forget the virtues of a
democratic setup. Democracy as classlessness, as egalitarianism, as
social equality never existed in our country. We were too much in awe
of organizing an election in a country of one billion plus people to
really focus on the key issues which threaten India’s democracy.

The collusion of political class with corrupt administrative machinery
is one of the most dangerous and disastrous outcomes of our democratic
set up. It was this colluding apparatus which tasted blood in Gujarat.
The communal political class, represented best by Narendra Modi, has
given free hand to our Kasabs, namely policepersons D.G Vanzara and
R.K Pandayan to carry out their agenda of liquidating targets which
could be conveniently wrapped under the covers of “fight against
terrorism”, an abridged version of the American rhetoric of “war
against terror”. But there is a difference. The Americans kill others
in the name of war against terror; our Kasabs kill our own men and
women in their fight against terrorism.

The outcome of fake encounters by Indian Kasabs is even more
disastrous. It gives birth to more Pakistani Kasabs. It opens new
avenues for Islamic fundamentalists to recruit young blood in this
game of death. In short, our Kasabs and their Kasabs form part of a
cycle of hate, a man eating machinery, which is oiled by the likes of
Narendra Modi on our side and Hafeez Saeed on their side. There would
be many who would argue that democratically elected Modi is different
from a branded terrorist like Hafeez. To me it is a difference without
meaning because the outcome of their actions is the same. The means
may be different but both represent the end point of a product which
is disastrous to the civilized society. They are the mandarins in this
festivity of death and destruction.

It’s time that we, the democratically inclined masses of this great
land manifest our might in bringing sanity in this chaos. The Kasabs
are working hard on both sides of the border. Unfortunately we cannot
do much about their Kasabs but we can surely rein ours. The leash of
peoples’ power is too strong to ignore. Democracy is a process of
constant evaluation and implementation of the principles of equality
and justice. The checks and means are built in. We suffer because we
fail to use these means. We are pained because we let the leash go
into unworthy hands. We bleed because the custodians of our democracy
give us wounds which take centuries to heal.

The man eaters of India have to be exterminated before they become too
colossal to conquer. We do not want more Ishrats. We cannot afford
Sanjits. The blood of innocent children of this great land is too
precious to go waste. Their Kasabs held the nation to ransom for three
days; our Kasabs can do that for a thousand years. Their Kasabs were
armed with AK-47s; our Kasabs are armed with service revolvers and
carbines bought through your and my money. Their Kasabs meant to
create havoc and terrorism in Mumbai. Our Kasabs have a broader
agenda. The country is on their target and innocent Indians their
victims.

I feel threatened. I am a Muslim, I have friends across the border,
and I am a common Indian. I would surely make good recipe for lunch!
Not long ago, we were told that we had made a tryst with destiny.
Today the very dream is at stake. Terrorists from across the border
had made life difficult; terrorists from within have snuffed the light
out. We have to wake up now or their and our Kasabs will bleed the
country white.

Dr. Shah Alam Khan
Associate Professor
Department of Orthopaedics
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
New Delhi, India

Their Kasab, Our Kasabs By Dr. Shah Alam Khan

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:31:10 AM9/11/09
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Families of other victims speak up, demand judicial inquiry

Express News Service
Posted: Sep 10, 2009 at 0606 hrs IST

Ahmedabad Amid the din created by Judicial Magistrate S P Tamang’s
report holding 21 police personnel responsible for the extra-judicial
killing of Ishrat Jahan and three others, relatives of two others —
Mahendra Jadav and Jaffer Qasim — came here from Mumbai on Wednesday
and demanded a judicial inquiry into their killing by the Gujarat
Police.
Sumitra Jadhav, Mahendra’s mother and Mariam, widow of Jaffer, both
residents of Mumbai, have already moved the Supreme Court through
Mumbai-based NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), with the same
request.

The two have also asked the apex court for direct action, including
initiation of criminal proceedings against officers of the state for
unconstitutional act and ask the state to pay compensation for what
they say were extra judicial killings.

They also demanded that the Gujarat Police personnel, some of whom are
involved in illegal action, should not be involved in any inquiry
ordered by the apex court.

Speaking to mediapersons in the presence of Teesta Setalvad of CJP and
former Director General of Police R B Sreekumar, they said Mahendra
and Jaffer were brutally murdered by the state police just to promote
the image of Chief Minister Narendra Modi and get some personal
benefits for themselves. The duo added they will not accept a probe by
the state police, as they themselves were the killers and a probe by
them would not be fair.

Denying that Mahendra had any links with terrorists or underworld,
Sumitra said her son had come to Gujarat in search of a job offered to
him through one Fatima in Mumbai.

She said her son was held by the crime

branch sleuths at Ahmedabad railway station, was kept in custody for
three days and then shot dead on June 22, 2004, near Panchkuwa in the
Kalupur area.

The police had claimed that Mahendra was on a mission to kill Modi,
the then Law Minister Ashok Bhatt and Dariapur MLA Bharat Barot. She
claimed that even the postmortem report had not confirmed death in
police encounter.

Mariam said her husband Jaffer was among 18 people on a religious
visit to Hussain Tekra in Mehsana district. Jaffer and others had
stayed in Hotel Royal in Sarkhej on the outskirts of Ahmedabad on
April 13, 2006. She said a police team comprising 17 persons descended
on the hotel and took away Jaffer forcibly after a scuffle. “We were
not informed about Jaffer’s whereabouts for three days,” she said.

Mariam added she was initially told that Jaffer had escaped from
police custody. But on April 17, she was told that he had died in a
road accident and the body was kept in the Civil Hospital.

She further said there was no accidental injury anywhere on Jaffer’s
body, except a bullet wound on the head and blood flowing from one
side of the mouth, along with beating marks on the chest and
shoulders.

However, crime branch official Ashish Bhatia wrote on December 14,
2006, to her that her husband was killed in a road accident and it was
not a murder case.

Quoting information culled through an RTI application in April 2007,
she said that Bhatia had written to the Mumbai police seeking to know
if some Irani gang was operating in Mumbai ostensibly to cover up
their misdeeds. Jaffer belongs to a small group of Irani Mulsims
living in Mumbai.

Regarding the post-mortem report, she said she was given the report
seven months after the incident and it did not mention the cause of
death.

Sreekumar who was present along with the kin of the victims said the
state government spokesperson Jay Narayan Vyas’s remarks about the
judicial magistrate S P Tamang’s report “amounted to contempt of
court”. Sreekumar said that “encounters were done by the state as a
matter of policy.”

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:34:18 AM9/11/09
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Parliament rocked by Guj fake encounter killings
Agencies
Posted online: Monday, May 07, 2007 at 1734 hours IST

New Delhi, May 7: The fake encounter killings in Gujarat on Monday
rocked both Houses of Parliament with a belligerent Congress,
supported by RJD and Left allies, disrupting proceedings demanding
Chief Minister Narendra Modi's resignation.

Trying to put the BJP on the backfoot, Congress and Left parties'
members in Lok Sabha with the backing of RJD, attacked the Modi
government for its alleged involvement in the killing of Sohrabuddin
in a fake encounter in November, 2005, and his wife, Kauser Bi a few
days later.

In Rajya Sabha, the House was adjourned for the day soon after lunch
break with the Congress and its supporting parties insisting on a
discussion on the Gujarat killings.

The House had been adjourned twice earlier following vehement protests
by Left parties on a letter of US lawmakers to Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh on India's ties with Iran and how it could impact on the India-
US civil nuclear deal.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee made repeated attempts to restore order but
these proved futile during the morning session.
In the din, the BJP demanded an apology from Shipping Minister T R
Baalu accusing the minister of "misleading" the House over the
Sethusamudram project. The minister had said the matter was sub judice
but the BJP had taken a different view.

When the House re-assembled at 1400 hrs, SP, Left and some Congress
members shouted slogans against the Modi government and sought
discussion on the matter. Following persistent demands, Deputy Speaker
Charanjit Singh Atwal allowed SP member Ramji Lal Suman to speak.

But as soon as Suman demanded dismisswal of the Modi government, BJP
and BJD members strongly protested. BJP members also raked up the
Nandigram issue.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:39:22 AM9/11/09
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‘Fake’ encounter: FIR against cops

Express News Service

Posted: Aug 11, 2009 at 0232 hrs IST

Lucknow The Chief Judicial Magistrate of Lucknow has ordered an FIR
against unidentified policemen involved in death of Shakeel alias
Abrar, who was gunned down in an encounter in January in Lucknow.

Shakeel’s wife Shama Parveen had filed an application before the
court, stating that her husband was murdered by cops after he failed
to fulfil their demands for money.

On August 6, the court directed the Hazratganj police to lodge the
case.

Besides Shakeel, his brother Ghulam Ghaus Khan and Shamshad, a
resident of Allahabad, were also gunned down in the encounter, which
took place in Shaheed Path, Sarojini Nagar, on January 4.

“We moved court after no police officer gave us a hearing,” said Shama
Parveen’s lawyer Sayed Waqar Hussain. They filed the application in
the court on April 13, requesting a case against the policemen.

According to Waqar, they informed the court that on January 3, Shakeel
came to Lucknow in connection with a case. He took part in the court
proceedings and signed on the court record and left around 2 pm.

While on his way to Barabanki, he was kidnapped from near Clark Awadh
Hotel in Wazirganj. The police, Waqar said, switched off his mobile.

When Shakeel did not return the next morning, his family contacted the
policemen attached with the Sarojini Nagar police station in Lucknow,
who said that no person was brought in for questioning.

Two officers posted there knew Shakeel and often called him to demand
money, said Parveen. She also mentioned in the application that then
in-charge of the Talkatora police station in Lucknow had also demanded
money from Shakeel.

The application stated that Parveen’s brother-in-law was also killed
to make the situation appear like an encounter. The bodies, she
alleged, were not handed over to the family.

On their part, the Lucknow police claimed that the three persons
killed in encounter were members of Hawa Singh gang and were wanted in
several criminal cases. According to the police, on January 4, they
spotted a Maruti van with a blank registration number plate in
Hussainganj. Though Station House Officer signalled the car to stop,
it sped away.

The officers chased the car for about 15 kms before teams from
Hussainganj, Ashiana, Banthra, Manak Nagar and Sarojini Nagar police
stations managed to encircle it. Struck between the police teams, the
criminals moved towards an under-construction road at Shaheed Path.
When the car reached a dead end, the miscreants tried to flee.

The police then tried to stop them and engaged in an exchange of fire,
in which three persons died. Three countrymade pistols and several
cartridges were recovered from their possession.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:41:41 AM9/11/09
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Fake encounter accused Vanzara attempts to ‘learn’ human rights

Parimal Dabhi

Posted: Jan 17, 2009 at 0130 hrs IST

Ahmedabad In what can be called an irony of sorts, D G Vanzara,
suspended IPS officer and an accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake
encounter case, is spending his time in the Sabarmati Central Jail
studying human rights.
Vanzara is lodged in the jail along with some other senior police
officers for allegedly killing Sohrabuddin and then murdering his wife
Kausar Bi to conceal evidence of the fake encounter.

According to sources in the jail, Vanzara has applied for two
certificate courses — Certificate in Human Rights (CHR) and
Certificate in Computer (CIC) — through Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU) centre in the prison premises. He even took the
examination for CHR in December last year.

The correspondence course is of six-month duration and results are due
in three months. The course consists of topics like Human Rights,
Society and Development, Human Rights & India, and Human Rights in
Everyday Life.

Vanzara’s appearance in the examination of human rights has surprised
noted lawyer and human rights activist Girish Patel. “This is the
irony of our society. Human rights for whom? Those who have violated
rights like never before are studying it and those whose human rights
are violated are not able to study,” Patel said.

“I think his decision to study could have proved to be a challenge for
his tutors, and he could have learnt the lessons on his own of not
getting detected after violating human rights,” he added.

During his tenure at the Ahmedabad City Detection of Crime Branch as
Deputy Commissioner of Police and at the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad
as Deputy Inspector General of Police, Vanzara had many alleged
encounters to his credit. In the Sohrabuddin case, even the Gujarat
government has admitted before the Supreme Court that the encounter
was staged.

Apart from Vanzara, suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police Dr
Narendra Amin has also applied for CIC examination and has demanded a
laptop for the same.

Generally, these examinations are available only for convicts,
although with special permission, even the undertrials can appear in
the examinations conducted by two open universities— IGNOU and Dr
Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University.

“After certain controversies arose after Dr Amin applied for the
examination, the jail authorities have decided not to grant permission
to any undertrial to appear for the examination,” said a senior jail
official.

“Vanzara had appeared for the examination in December, as he had
already filled the form; but now, he won’t be allowed to appear for it
in future,” he added.

Suspended cop seeks bail

N V CHAUHAN, suspended sub-inspector and an accused in the Sohrabuddin
Sheikh fake encounter case and murder of his wife Kausar Bi, on
Friday, moved an application seeking interim bail on medical grounds.
Chauhan, who is lodged at the Sabarmati Central Jail, has applied for
bail from the Additional Principal Sessions Judge, P B Desai. Chauhan,
who appeared as party-in-person before the court, stated that he
underwent lythotripsy operation for kidney stone at the Civil Hospital
on January 12 and requires clean atmosphere for recuperation. He said
that the cell in which he is lodged has an open toilet, which could be
infectious. He contended that the Total Dissolve Solids level in the
drinking water is also over 1,500, so, he should be granted interim
bail. The court has posted the mater for further hearing on January
21.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:43:40 AM9/11/09
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Probe Modi's role in fake encounter case, says HRW

Agencies

Posted: Dec 08, 2007 at 0000 hrs IST

Constitutional breakdown in Gujarat, say...Refrain from criticism in
public: Advani...PRP gets recognition as state party in A...Congress
leader Rajkumar Patel expelled ...

New York, December 8: A US-based human rights watchdog has asked the
Indian government to investigate the role of Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi in fake encounters in the context of his reported
statement "endorsing the extra-judicial execution of a terrorism
suspect" by police.

"Modi's remarks send a green light to the police that executing
terrorism suspects is fine with his administration," said Brad Adams,
Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"The government in Delhi should immediately investigate this seeming
incitement to violence."

The Gujarat Chief Minister was referring to the killing of Sohrabuddin
Sheikh in 2005 by police, which at the time claimed that he was a
terrorist and killed in an encounter.

But since then it has become clear that there was no evidence to pin
him as a terrorist and that he was killed in a fake encounter.

Recalling the incident, the Human Rights Watch said that his wife is
still missing.

Rejecting Modi's explanation that he was responding to the allegation
by Congress President Sonia Gandhi branding his government as
"merchant of death," Adam said Modi cannot hide behind accusation of
provocation to justify remarks "endorsing a murder".

"He used similar excuses after the police participated in a killing
spree of Muslims in 2002, but his pretexts were as hollow then as they
are today," he added.

"Modi's defenders say that his speech is being misrepresented, and
that politicians make exaggerated remarks during election campaigns,"
said Adams. "But endorsing a police killing sends the wrong message at
all times, and especially during an election."

Human Rights Watch noted that in response to Modi's comments, India's
Election Commission has served notice to Modi saying that the speech
"amounts to indulging in activity which may aggravate existing
differences, creating mutual hatred and causing tension between
different communities."

It said that it had found that the attacks on Muslims in 2002 were
planned and organized with extensive police participation and in close
cooperation with supporters of Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party
and the state government.

Modi had justified those attacks at the time, saying, "Every action
has an equal and opposite reaction," referring to the Godhra incident
which had sparked the riots, the watchdog recalled.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:46:01 AM9/11/09
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Sohrabuddin fake encounter case: Further investigation ordered

Express News Service
Posted: Sep 06, 2008 at 0438 hrs IST

Ahmedabad, September 5 ‘It is a very significant order. It has given
us hope that truth will ultimately prevail’

A city district and sessions court ordered further investigation into
the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case on Friday. The court passed
the ruling after accepting an application filed by Sohrabuddin’s
brother Rubabuddin under section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In his application, Rubabuddin stated that the chargesheet filed in
the fake encounter case of his brother did not mention some important
aspects.

Rubabuddin also raised questions about the ownership, custody and
possession of the motorcycle in which Sohrabuddin was travelling when
he was gunned down by the Gujarat police Anti-Terrorism Squad officers
in Ahmedabad.

In his ruling, Additional Principal Sessions Judge P B Desai ordered
the state CID (Crime), the investigating agency in the case, to
further look into the case and submit a report before the court within
90 days.

Amrish Patel, Rubabuddin’s advocate said, “It is a very significant
order. It has given us hope that truth will ultimately prevail”.
Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter on the outskirts of
Ahmedabad on November 26, 2005.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:48:07 AM9/11/09
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Fake encounter: Vanjhara, Pandian seek bail

Press Trust of India
Posted: Oct 20, 2007 at 0000 hrs IST

Ahmedabad, October 19 Two IPS officers, including D G Vanjhara,
accused in the Sohrabauddin Sheikh fake encounter case, have filed
bail applications in a local court, their advocate said on Friday.

The hearing on the applications of the suspended IPS officers, Vanjha
and Rajkumar Pandian, will be taken up bythe court on Monday, advocate
Ajay Chowksi said. The two moved the court for bail after the third
IPS officer accused in the case, Dinesh M N, was released on bail
recently.

Vanjhara was the head of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) when the
fake encounter took place and is also charged with having masterminded
the killing of Sheikh's wife, Kausar Bi.

Pandian, who was Vanjhara's deputy, had brought the Sheikh couple and
another person to Ahmedabad from Hyderabad. He was allegedly present
at site when the encounter was staged. Both the officials have spent
about six months behind the bars after their arrest by the state CID
(crime), which is investigating the matter.

Apart from the two IPS officers, two other accused Ajay Parmar and
Santram Sharma, members of the ATS, and two policemen from Rajasthan,
Himanshu Singh and Shyam Singh, part of the controversial joint
operation team, have also applied for bail.

The local court had earlier granted bail to suspended deputy
superintendent of police N K Amin, one of the accused charged with
having helped Vanjhara in the killing of Kausar Bi and subsequent
disposal of her body.

Sid Harth

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Sep 11, 2009, 6:50:14 AM9/11/09
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Fake encounter case: SC issues notice to Narender Modi

Agencies
Posted: Sep 03, 2008 at 1715 hrs IST

New Delhi, September 3: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices
to Gujarat Government and Chief Minister Narender Modi on a petition
seeking CBI inquiry into an alleged fake encounter in which a youth
was killed in 2004.
The petition filed by Kerala-based M R Gopinath Pillai alleged that
his son Pranesh Kumar Pillai alias Javed Shaikh was gunned down by the
Gujarat police for having links with terrorist groups but even four
years after the incident there was no evidence to the effect.

A Bench comprising Justices Tarun Chatterjee and Aftab Alam also
sought response from state Home Minister Amit Shah relating to the
June 15, 2004 police encounter in which Javed along with three persons
including a woman were killed in Ahmedabad.

The court also issued a notice to the state government on another
petition filed by poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar seeking a probe by a
special investigation team into the alleged fake encounters in Gujarat
claiming that innocent people, particularly from Muslim community,
were being targeted as terrorists.

The petition citing news reports and a sting operation done by a news
magazine into the killing of criminal Sameer Khan in October 2002,
alleged it was a fake encounter and there was an attempt by the
Gujarat government to hush up the incident.

Khan, who was in police custody, was killed on the intervening night
of October 21-22, 2002 when he allegedly snatched the revolver of a
policeman who had accompanied him with a team to a spot where he had
murdered a constable.

An FIR was registered alleging that Khan was involved in a conspiracy
hatched by Pakistan's ISI and Jaish-e-Mohammed to assassinate Modi and
other leaders.

chhotemianinshallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 8:35:00 AM9/11/09
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Bhagwat,Modi,Keshubhai:Glimpses of RSS meet at Adalaj(VIDEO)
Adalaj/Ahmedabad, 7 September, 2009

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Ex-Chief Minister Keshubhai
Patel, Gujarat BJP President Purushottam Rupala, Gujarat University
Vice Chancellor are some of the prominent people visible in this video
above, singing ‘Namaste Sada Vatsale Matrubhoomi’ the song of RSS. The
occasion was Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh’s Sarsanghchalak(Chief)
Mohan Bhagwat’s address organized at Adalaj based Dada Bhagwan
Trimandir near Ahmedabad on Sunday. This function was attended by over
five thousand Swayamsevaks. Shri Mohan Bhagwat’s speech was impressive
and patriotic. This is Shri Mohan Bhagwatji’s first visit to Gujarat
after becoming Sarsanghchalak. The video above has some glimpses of
the event.

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:01:47 PM9/11/09
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http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=A+disturbing+trend+of+fakes&artid=/Sl57fU/lpI=&SectionID=RRQemgLywPI=&MainSectionID=RRQemgLywPI=&SectionName=XQcp6iFoWTvPHj2dDBzTNA==

A disturbing trend of fakes

The New Indian Express
First Published : 11 Sep 2009 11:56:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 11 Sep 2009 12:53:49 AM IST

When Ishrat Jahan was killed in a hail of police bullets in Ahmedabad
on June 15, 2004, along with three others, few suspected they were
anything but terrorists planning to murder Gujarat chief minister
Narendra Modi. Ahmedabad Metropolitan Magistrate S P Tamang believes
otherwise. In his report of September 8 he says clearly that the
killing was ‘staged’ by the police with an eye on ‘promotions’. The
report names then police commissioner K R Kaushik and D G Vanzara, the
DIG who is already in prison over the Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter in
which three people were killed. It is chilling to note that the Ishrat
encounter has been described as motivated by a desire to ‘flatter’ the
CM.


Extra-judicial killings are not new in India. But the proliferation of
Dirty Harry(s) in every part of the country is reason for everyone to
be worried. ‘Encounter’ and custodial deaths seem to be increasing,
the latest being in Chennai, where A Lakshmanan died in a lock-up
after alleged third-degree interrogation.

Few people have heard of Sanjit (killed in Manipur last July), Abdul
Rehman (2007), Sohrabuddin Sheikh (2007), Manorama Devi (2004), Sadiq
Jamal (2003) and Sameer Khan Pathan (2002). Their deaths were a clear
violation of human rights. In light of this, the dangers of the anti-
terror bill passed by the Modi government, which makes confession made
before a police officer admissible in a court, become dismayingly
obvious. The statement by Justice (Retd) C Upendra Singh last Saturday
that extra-judicial killings are a reality add weight to the
concerns.

The Union ministry of home affairs’ affidavit supporting Gujarat’s
claim that Ishrat and the others were terrorists seems to be, at best,
a result of complete lack of co-ordination among the agencies
concerned with national security; at worst, a case of back-scratching.
Such incidents should also draw our attention to the dire need for
reforms in the police. Perhaps it is a truism but it is one that has
to be repeated; the police have to be protected from political
interference.

A more serious problem is that every encounter death raises a storm of
protest, but soon enough it is business as usual. The juggernaut rolls
on unchecked. It is each individual’s duty to ensure that the dead do
not become mere statistics. Our indifference is helping to create a
Frankenstein that could eventually swallow us as well. Too many
Ishrats have died. It is time to cry ‘no more’.

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:20:38 PM9/11/09
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http://indianmuslims.in/hindutva-indian-elections/

Hindutva And The Upcoming Indian Elections

By Bhupinder 1,968 views Published: March 29,
2009

(11 votes, average: 2.73 out of 5)

Twenty five years ago, for the first time since Indian independence, a
political party came to power at the center by whipping up a mass
communal hysteria. That party was the Congress and its leader was
Rajiv Gandhi, who commented that the “earth shakes when a big tree
falls”, as if the anti- Sikh pogrom was the most natural phenomenon.
He was soon to backtrack from such a frontal communal posture towards
balanced communalism. He let open the locks of the Babri Masjid and
simultaneously supported the Muslim Law Bill. In both cases, he
provided a shot in the arm to the regressive sections among the Hindus
and the Muslims.

The BJP- a relatively minor political entity in the 1984 elections,
had been long gestating in various garbs for over six decades. It was
quick to learn the technique from the Congress’s 1984 performance and
catapulted itself to seize power at the center by whipping up a frenzy
of mass hysteria leading to the destruction of the Babri Masjid in
1992. Rajiv Gandhi was no longer on the scene by then, and it was left
to PV Narasimha Rao to be remembered for the infamy of 6th December
1992. Nowadays, it is also often overlooked that the destruction of
the Babri Masjid provided a larger fillip to Muslim fundamentalism in
South Asia- in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

The 1984 anti- Sikh pogrom was also the last time that the Congress
party was able to use its total monopoly of the mass media. From the
days of Sanjay Gandhi when he used the Doordarshan to show the popular
flick ‘Bobby’ on the same day as JP was to address a meeting at the
Ram Lila grounds in Delhi, the new Congress under Rajiv switched to
showing Ramayana and Mahabharta during prime time television. The
Congress’s flirtation with the age of the color TV was to take a
beating with the emergence of the audio and video cassettes that the
Hindutva movement initiated and en- cashed.

Fascist movements in Germany and Italy too had proved themselves to be
very effective and early adapters of the then modern means of mass
communication- the loudspeaker and the radio. Recent advances in
technology have made it possible, however, to take on and dent- to
whatever limited extent- the monopoly of the few on media. This is
borne out in the case of Varun Gandhi’s recent speeches that have put
him in the dock now.

The contrast between 2004 and 2009 is exacerbated by the accidental
infamy that Varun Gandhi has gained in the last few days. It points to
the fact that it has been left to a hitherto a very minor leader of
the party to articulate what the Sadhvi Ritambaras during 1989- 1992
and then Narendra Modi and the late Pramod Mahajan took up later. The
central BJP leadership is no longer using the appeal of hard Hindutva
during the national elections.

New media- including the emergence of a new generation of journalists-
and the sheer proliferation of new technologies including easy access
to video filming (as in case of Varun Gandhi’s speeches) and the
competition among the television channels makes it more difficult for
anyone party or agenda to monopolize. Of course, it was just five
years ago that the same media shrilly cried that India was shining.
How the media operates and how technology can be harnessed and used as
a democratic tool has a reciprocal relation to the kind of government
that is in power. A by and large secular government at the center in
the last five years is in sharp contrast to the previous six long
years of Hindutva.

The credit for this sharp contrast between the run up to the 2004 and
2009 elections goes by and large to the political acumen of Mrs Sonia
Gandhi. It needs to be remembered that she took up the reins of the
Congress in 1998 when BJP sought to form the government at the center
in a 13 party coalition. She was then able to stem the large scale
desertion by rank and file from the Congress to the BJP. In 2004, she
led the Congress from the front taking up the Hindutva bandwagon
almost single handed-ly so much so that in Gujarat it was seen as a
contest between Narendra Modi and Mrs Gandhi. In Gujarat, as in much
of India, there is little to distinguish between state level leaders
of the two parties. A former RSS pracharak Shankarsinh Vaghela could
hardly be an ideological antidote to Narendra Modi.

What the UPA has done in the last five years on the question of
communalism is not so much to take on Hindutva head on, as to deflect
it from the center of political discourse. The end result is very
evident- in the absence of communalism- and in some cases like in
Karnataka, boomeraging with many of its support base especially among
the urban middle classes- it has been practically left without a
Unique Selling Proposition. The economic agenda is practically common
between the Congress and the BJP (and even the CPM practically
endorses it in West Bengal).

Gone are the days when the BJP leaders masqueraded as gods and when
Vajpayee anointed Advani as Ram and the late Pramod Mahajan as
Lakshman, Advani likened himself to Arjuna and the increasingly
sidelined Uma Bharti compared herself to Eklavya !

The other achievement that Mrs Gandhi needs to be credited is that for
the first time in the history of independent India, a non- Brahmin
prime minister has completed a full term of five years.

Again, it was Narasimha Rao who re- established the dominance of
Brahmins in an increasingly Mandalized polity.

Writing in 2003, veteran journalist Saeed Naqvi asserted :

When Rajiv Gandhi came to power in 1984, in a House of 544 there were
198 upper caste members of Lok Sabha. Of these, 79 were Brahmins. By
1990, mandalisation had so stirred up society that in the 1991
elections,upper castes, particularly Brahmins, fell like nine pins.

P.V.Narasimha Rao took swift rearguard action to keep the Brahmin from
political oblivion. …

Rao played no mean role in virtually handing the baton to Atal Bihari
Vajpayee. And when Vajpayee completes his five year term, he will have
sustained a tradition set by Nehru. Every Brahmin prime minister has
either completed his full term or exceeded it. Of the 56 years since
Independence, the Brahmin has been at the helm in New Delhi for over
50 years.

As a corollory to what Naqvi states above, one needs to point out that
in the past, prime ministers who have lasted the full term have only
been Brahmins. The Congress itself has given the country a sequence of
Brahmin prime minsters- Jawaharlal Nehru, Shastri, Indira Gandhi,
Rajiv Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao. The BJP gave the country another
Brahmin prime minister- Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The non- Brahmin prime
ministers- Charan Singh, VP Singh, Chandrasekar, IK Gujral and Deve
Gowda have come from the non- Congress and non- BJP outfits. None of
them managed to complete their term. Incidentally, between 1984 and
2004, the number of Brahmins in the Lok sabha has declined from 20% to
9%.

Dr Manmohan Singh is the first non- Brahmin prime minister to complete
a full five year term. That he should come from the Congress party is
another unique aspect. Ashish Nandy has pointed out somewhere that for
the non- Brahmin Mohandas Gandhi, a bania by caste, he needed to take
a larger than life persona- that of a Mahatma- to emerge as the leader
of the freedom movement. This underscores how difficult and crucial it
is to overcome one of the strongest structural fault- lines of Indian
society- that of caste. By insisting on Dr Singh’s candidature and
providing full support to him in the last five years, Mrs Gandhi has
also succeeded in winning back the confidence of the Sikhs and other
minorities.

By scoring this double whammy, Mrs Gandhi has proved her early
detractors wrong and skeptics like Uma Bharati correct. Two years ago,
Ms Bharati had warned the BJP that it will be swamped by Mrs Gandhi.
Her leading role is also announced in the Samajwadi Party leader Amar
Singh’s candid admission that no secular government is possible at the
center without Mrs Sonia Gandhi. What a far cry from the days when she
was seen as another ‘gungi gudiya’ and much worse! That kind of
language and personal attacks on Mrs Gandhi are now conspicuously and
thankfully absent.

In this process, Mrs Gandhi carried forward not so much the legacy of
Jawaharlal Nehru as that of Mahatma Gandhi. This started with her
decision not to accept the prime ministership that she so richly
deserved as the leader of the leading party.

In a speech two years ago, Mrs Gandhi remarked on a seminar on “Peace,
Non-violence and Empowerment, Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st
Century”:

Ms. Gandhi said the real issue was not the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi
but “our preparedness for him and whether we are ready to embrace him
once again. It is not a question of going back to Mahatma Gandhi as
much as it is of going forward with him. This is not as simple as it
sounds. While he fascinates and enchants, we have to admit that it is
difficult to emulate him. It is easy to make him an icon. But
infinitely more exacting to make him our beacon. He did not provide us
with final answers, he wanted us to find our own and make our own
experiments with truth,” she said.

Historically, among the educated Indian elite, the dislike towards
Gandhi is not new. From Sripad Dange’s denouement in his defence
speech in 1920 later published as Lenin vs. Gandhi (in which Lenin
emerged victorious, in case you were wondering), to Golwalkar’s A
Bunch of Thoughts, Gandhi was not the image in whom some among the
Indian upper and middle classes saw themselves. The loin cloth was not
exactly their idea of making a fashion statement, whatever those
peasants might have thought.

The Hindutva’s dislike for Gandhi had bordered on fanaticism, no
surprise, therefore, that he was assassinated by a former Hindu
Mahasabha member. Later, in an irony of sorts, the political inheritor
of Hindutva, the BJP, flirted with Gandhian Socialism when both Gandhi
and Socialism were still in vogue in the late seventies. However, it
was the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci who best interpreted the
political genius of Gandhi’s un- theorized strategy. The Hindutva
movement has effectively used the same tactics- that Gramsci called
‘war of position’ and the ‘war of movement’ to advance its political
agenda. Mrs Gandhi, in her own manner, has returned to that strategy.
She has extended the possibilties of Gandhism today in context of
rabid communal discourse of the sangh parivar.

Given her achievements in the past five years in turning the tide as
far as Hindutva as an election platform is concerened, her words need
to be taken seriously, and with the respect that she, and her
achievements in countering Hindutva, richly deserve.

Photo: Indian Flag Colors

32 Comments on "Hindutva And The Upcoming Indian Elections"

In Praise of Sonia Gandhi « a reader’s words on Sun, 29th Mar 2009
4:54 pm

[...] posted at Indian Muslims Possibly related posts: (automatically
generated)“We locked away Gandhi on Feb [...]

bhavananda on Sun, 29th Mar 2009 5:04 pm

“Nowadays, it is also often overlooked that the destruction of the
Babri Masjid provided a larger fillip to Muslim fundamentalism in
South Asia- in Bangladesh and Pakistan.”

For some myopic columnists, history began in 1992. Without trying to
count the destruction of temples in India prior to 1992, let me just
point out to a glaring fact: Hindus were being driven out of Kashmir
valley from 1989 and by end 1992 (when history began) there were
hardly any Hindus left in the valley. Is there an irony that the year
1989 also coincides with the withdrawal of Soviets from Afghan leading
to the unemployment of a large number of “holy warriors”? Of course,
these aspects are not to be remembered, nor reminded.

But, I will submit that the post is correct on the contribution of
Congress party to growing communalism in India as well as the
observation that without Hindutva/minority appeasement, the difference
between Congress and BJP is not much (policy-wise, at least to common
voters)

vtpcnk on Sun, 29th Mar 2009 7:42 pm

i have a question for muslims. sometime back on this blog i read about
lalu prasad yadhav was a hero since he protected muslims from hindu
fanatics etc. likewise with mulayam, sonia etc. do muslims think that
these politicians really care about the welfare of muslims? most of
these politicians are known crooks with multiple corruption charges
hanging against them. when they do not care about the people of their
own religion who they ruthlessly exploit, why would they go out on a
limb to do anything for the muslims? let us suppose that these
politicians support muslims in whatever way because of votebank
concerns. likewise if the hindus manage to form a counter votebank
(which would naturally be much larger) where do you think the loyalty
of these politicians would turn?

Hindutva And The Upcoming Indian Elections | Indian Muslims on Sun,
29th Mar 2009 10:57 pm

[...] Continued here: Hindutva And The Upcoming Indian Elections |
Indian Muslims [...]

M Naqqaad on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 6:03 am

vtpcnk & bhavananda,

Both of you intend to limit the thoughts of Muslims whereas it is
about being Indian. I too think that Bhupinder is there for Sonia and
not for Indian. You must certainly be for the BJP because instead of
the topic you tried to do a ‘Red Herring’.

The moot question to $vtpcnk$ is that why he is boiling for Laloo
being a protector of the weak, Muslim or Yadav. A positive thinker
must ask as to why we need a Muslim leader or a Brahmin for that
matter once we have a secular polity. Though the praise for Sonia by
Bhupinder sounds political, there is lot of information for all of us
to know how things work in the castesist Hinduism which Muslims of
India cannot wish away. Take the example of Maneka Gandhi, she pointed
out a Police Inspector to be behind the Pilibhit disturbance with the
same assertion her son has done in his infamous speeches. She talks
about the policeman being under their eyes as if they target a lowly
policeman. What is this mentality? It is simple, ‘you need to live by
our law’ which they practice with statute being used to say they are
not communal. The early people like you rise off your slumber better
for India because the havenots are more than you would have likes to
desimate. Being a Fauji I know how the agencies ask you which mosque
you visit. This unchecked ‘intelligence’ has failed India and we
cannot expect the terrorist to adhere to our failures while
undertaking any task. No mosque going Muslim would do harm to the
motherland if he is not profiled in the manner people are being done.
The Maneka and Parvez Mian story is about making a standard fascist
society which we need to guard against. She should be taken to task
for policing a govt servant while not a govt agent.

Milind Kher on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 9:39 am

It is demeaning to think of the vote of a community as a votebank.

All talks of a Muslim votebank are actually the result of a subliminal
propoganda by BJP to project Muslims as a commodity which can be
bought.

Parties like the BJP are a source of shame for our nation and the
support they get an indication of how low our polity and society has
sunk.

Bhupinder on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 10:01 am

@bhavnanda: I mentioned that only in context of economic policies the
Congress, the BJP and even the CPM for that matter do not have any
major differences, even though the Congress has had a much longer (and
better) understanding of economics going back to the critique of
economic colonialism in late 19th century.

As far as the Congress and BJP are concerned, they do have fundamental
differences when it comes to things outside economic policies.

@vtpcnk: I don’t see how your comment is related to this post.

NiceAnand on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 11:13 am

@Milind,

You yourself had been proposing for Muslims to vote together so their
vote doesn’t get divided. How can you blame others for “thinking”
Muslims as vote bank?
bhavananda on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 12:53 pm

@Bhupinder:

” … even though the Congress has had a much longer (and better)
understanding of economics going back …”
Of course! Why not? Isn’t the “better” economics policies responsible
for miraculous economic development of India till early 90s? And then,
lo and behold! India suddenly became bankrupt? Am I missing something
here?

“As far as the Congress and BJP are concerned, they do have
fundamental differences when it comes to things outside economic
policies.”

Yeah? Like what? Secularism? Like congress killed Sikhs and BJP killed
muslims? Or, congress appeases Muslim votebank and BJP appeases Hindu
votebank?

That said, I agree that there are some differences between the two.
I’m not sure that I’d say they are fundamental, especially for the
common voters.
Bhupinder on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 3:20 pm

@bhavnanda:

> Am I missing something here?

I think you are missing a lot. One has to look at a very large time
frame to make generalizations. The fundamental premise of public-
private sector cooperation is, I believe, a far better approach.
Recent events in the US and global economy substantiate that
direction. In that sense, the path chartered by Jawaharlal Nehru is
fundamentally correct and far better than the neo- liberal assault
since 1991 that the current INC and BJP leaderships are unable to get
past.

> Like what? Secularism?

Yes. Secularism. The Congress has traditionally been wedded to a
secular India. At times, it has indulged in ‘balanced communalism’ as
I mentioned in passing in the blog. The BJP is wedded to the RSS
concept of Hindutva which excludes Muslims and Christians as Indians.
Yes, the Congress is responsible for the anti- Sikh pogrom but it is
also capable of having Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of the
country. This would not be possible without its roots in secularism
derived from Mahatma Gandhi and consolidated by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Merely comparing the Delhi of 1984 with Gujarat 2002 is not enough,
one needs to look at a far bigger time frame.

bhavananda on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 5:22 pm


@Bhupinder: No matter when you want to start looking, be it 1885 when
Hume founded the party, or yesterday, it is a *fact* of history that
India went bankrupt under the watch of Congress party. Although I
agree with you on public-private sector cooperation, we surely vary on
the extent. That said, I won’t go into a raw debate of socialism-vs-
capitalism, because it is endless and also history tells us who “won”
it so far. Plus, you tactfully avoided to respond the previous charge
that India *did* go bankrupt because of failed policies (no matter
when history started for you).

As to the other point, I deliberately dropped the “secular” word,
because I know that is exactly how far the secular lobby can go.
Frankly, this debate is also meaningless because this has been done a
zillion times i.e. secular vs pseudo-secular, vote-banks, etc. Or,
more like “balanced communalism” vs “imbalanced communalism” whatever
you say. I believe we can be happy with our own POVs.

That said let me drop some notes on your last comment, that I’m sure
an intelligent an incisive blogger will understand. For example:

“Yes, the Congress is responsible for the anti- Sikh pogrom but it is
also capable of having Dr Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister of the
country.”

By the same logic BJP installed a Muslim president, a Hindu prime
minister, a Christian defence minister and a Sikh deputy speaker
(Rajya Sabha). I cannot recall the last time such a multi-religious
group of people was in charge of a country. May be you can enlighten
me on that?

“Merely comparing the Delhi of 1984 with Gujarat 2002 is not enough,
one needs to look at a far bigger time frame”
Yeah you are right on that. Because there is indeed no comparison. For
example, in the riots “790 Muslims and 254 Hindus” died, including
some shot dead by the armed police (source Wiki). And … let’s see …
the number of non-Sikhs killed in ‘84 was … hmm … umm …. zero! Zilch,
right? Of course, 3000 Sikhs died (source wiki again). Please do the
math! And do not forget to use “official figures”. And, if you are
really inclined to use “unofficial figures” please extrapolate the
numbers for *both* riots.

As for looking at a bigger time frame (your last few words) I’m ready
to count the riots happening under congress’ watch. From Gujarat
(Hitendra Desai, ‘69), Meerut, Bhagalpur, and so on. Oops, my bad! I
forgot about a bigger time frame, start from the partition? How about
Noakhali in Bangladesh? Let me know if you are interested in a
detailed list.

vtpcnk on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 6:34 pm

>All talks of a Muslim votebank are >actually the result of a subliminal >propoganda by BJP to project Muslims >as a commodity which can be bought.

and i guess manmohan singh was totally sincere where he said “the
minorities have the first claim for the resources of the nation”!

the congress party is the numero uno culprit – and criminally so – in
making the muslim community as a votebank, putting a noose around its
neck and effectively keeping the muslim and hindu communities at
loggerheads.

for the congress party everything including national interest is
secondary to grasping/wielding political power.

let the muslims try to vote for other parties. then we will see the
true face of the so called secularists and their “affection” for the
muslims.

the muslims today are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
on one hand the secularists have manipulated them into a votebank
(there has been some manipulating by the muslims leaders as well to
sustain their own interests). this has effectively fueled the rise of
hindutva which mistakenly targets the muslims more than the real
culprits – the secularists. if the muslims were to abandon the
secularists for whatever reason, then the secularists lose the
incentive to protect them from the hindutvawaadis.

wherein lies the solution for this?

vtpcnk on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 6:44 pm

>The BJP is wedded to the RSS concept >of Hindutva which excludes Muslims >and Christians as Indians.

this is blatantly false. from what i understand even the vhp merely is
against those of the minorities who are anti-hindu. it merely wants
muslims and christians to acknowledge the hindu culture of the land
and not be against it (as evagalical chritianity or extremist islam
is). beyond that it is perfectly willing to let muslims and christians
practice their faiths and be equal/loyal citizens of the country.

i am neither a rss or vhp supporter. but i can clearly see a
deliberate trend of maligning the hindutva groups to rouse paranoia
amongst the minorities and keep the conflict raging. this i believe to
be against national and soceital interest and only serves the
interests of certain political parties.
vtpcnk on Mon, 30th Mar 2009 6:53 pm

>This would not be possible without >its roots in secularism derived from >Mahatma Gandhi and consolidated by >Jawaharlal Nehru.

this has nothing to do with secularism. rather it is the ethos of the
land. as long as a person is capable and honest most indians do not
have a problem in being led by the person – whether it be mm singh or
abdul kalam. that’s also the reason that the british ruled india with
sparse opposition for a long period of time and even today have their
defenders amongst the indian populace.

>Recent events in the US and global >economy substantiate that direction. >In that sense, the path chartered by >Jawaharlal Nehru is fundamentally >correct

you cannot use the screwups of the last 10 years in the west to
justify the economic blunders of india for the first 40 years of its
existence. i would rather india be as wealthy as the usa and face
recession today, than be the land where people go without even two
square meals a day.

satwagunam on Tue, 31st Mar 2009 3:09 am

Too much a praise of sonia. She has desisted from not showing rahul as
the next due to non-acceptance by the alliance and also his in
capability to be a mass leader like his father.

His father got the head start with the assisination of indira gandhi
which he could not sustain the next term.

Already the sycophants like amar singh, pranab are asking rahul to
take the reins.

Author has mentioned that jawaharlal nehru as a brahmin and going by
that it is once again a brahmin who is holding the power with a front
end mask called manmohan singh.

abhilash shastry on Tue, 31st Mar 2009 3:32 pm

“The Congress itself has given the country a sequence of Brahmin prime
minsters- Jawaharlal Nehru, Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and
PV Narasimha Rao.”

I wonder why people cannot get even basic facts straight before waxing
eloquent. FYI. Shastry was a Kayastha. Nehru was an atheist. Rajeev
Gandhi was born of a Parsee father and was never given janoi.
sanjay on Tue, 31st Mar 2009 9:36 pm

I was out for the past week for some work and visited three states-
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh—all BJP Strongholds.

I found that the ground situation is totally different and the real
culprit is the electronic media. Either electronic media is out of
tune or has its own agenda.

Hindutva is losing ground and is no more a vote-getter. BJP is strong
in the above three states not because Hindutva is ruling the hearts
and minds of the people but because the only opposition party Congress
is in tatters. It has virtually no state leaders and Sonia/ Rahul
appear to be standing on the Moon. Barack Obama appears to be more
closer than Sonia/ Rahul.

Congress has some organisation and leaders is Rajasthan. In Gujarat
there is none and in MP there are half-a-dozen regional satraps.

Hindutva alone cannot bring BJP into power this time or any time in
near future.

In my opinion, Hindutva is overhyped. It doesnt have much market
value.
vtpcnk on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 6:02 am

>You must certainly be for the BJP >because instead of the topic you >tried to do a ‘Red Herring’.

the congress has traditionally tried to portray itself as the
protector of the minorities.

but how true is this?

with hindutva already well risen with claims of minority manipulation
etc what sense does it make for manmohan singh to say that the
minorities have the first claim to the resources of the nation?

would it not infuriate the average hindu (leave alone the
hindutvavaadi) – a lot of whom are already struggling in our
developing country?

but mms and the congress have a motive in saying what they did.

first it infuriates the hindutva groups who then target the muslims as
the manipulators of indian polity.

in the ensuing conflict, the muslims necessarily have to seek the
protection of the other large rival political party – the congress –
which naturally then binds the community to it.

but who benefits from all this? and who loses?

in truth how much benefits do the muslims really get from the
congress? what is the percentage of doctors or engineers or lawyers in
the society who are muslims (will the dominant hindu castes like bc/
obc etc really allow the muslims to have first claim to the nation’s
resources)? apart from meaningless sops like haj subsidy , personal
civil code and other “given in’s” to the mullahs, what have muslims
really got?

bhavananda on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 6:13 am

@Sanjay:

“Hindutva alone cannot bring BJP into power this time or any time in
near future.”
You are right on that.

Where you are ABSOLUTELY wrong is that nobody in BJP said that
Hindutva **ALONE** can win elections. So, Hindutva is there to stay!

Bhupinder on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 10:21 am

@bhavnanda/vtpcnk/satwagunam: I may point to Ram Rahman’s article on
the difference between the Congress, BJP and others on the issue of
communalism. It would save me responding to your comments on the
subject.
@abhilash: I stand corrected on Lal Bahadur Shastry.
@Sanjay: One factor I have not dealt with is the masses’ reaction to
the neo- liberal economic policies of both the Congress/UPA/ BJP/NDA.
Every party or coalition at the center has been defeated at the
general elections since 1991.
vtpcnk on Wed, 1st Apr 2009 11:29 am

muslims should open direct channels of communication with the hindutva
groups. too many middlemen (secularists, politicians etc – especially
those who portray themselves as protectors of the muslims and speak
for them) are hijacking the agenda for their own hidden motives and
deliberately confusing the situation. the secularists colour the
perception on both sides – building paranoia and making the situation
pretty much irreconcilable. if muslims and hindutvavaadis have issues
– they should talk directly. where is the need for middlemen?

Sudie on Thu, 2nd Apr 2009 7:23 am


The onus lies on right wing groups like BJP to put across a
progressive view of their nationalist agenda without preaching hate.
Minorities, especially muslims will tend to be insecure, whenever
Hindutva votaries want some sort of “revenge” for the perceived
insults of over the 800 years of “muslim rule”.

We need nationalists who look forward to an aggressive stand at
dealing with the nation’s problems while carrying everyone together.
Congress with its electoral mathematics does not have an inclusive
agenda as it assumes that there is no Hindu votebank to be wooed. It
only wants caste dynamics on its side so proposed sops like
reservations and the notion of “first right to nation’s resources”.

Sudie on Thu, 2nd Apr 2009 1:35 pm

In fact Iam looking for a time when someone from an ordinary but
educated Indian middle class family, perhaps an SC/ST or a Muslim be a
part of an Indian nationalist party and give a speech like this –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6NS9unm-OQ&feature=related

This will be a party where ones lastname need not be a Gandhi or a
Scindia but maybe an Advani, a Vajpayee, a Mahajan, a Sidhu or a
Hussain or Abdullah or Kalam.
Basil Mohsin on Thu, 2nd Apr 2009 10:24 pm

About the issue of Brahmin prime ministers due to caste system of
India, I am afraid India’s history doesn’t confirm to writers views.
The ruling caste in India has been the Kshatriyas, the fighter caste
and not the Brahmins. Brahmins have merely functioned as the advisors
to the rulers and not the rulers themselves. So if we go by Indian
caste system, then the post-Independence trend has simply nothing to
do with the caste structure of India and in reality is even against
it.

On Sonia Gandhi’s refusal to become the Prime Minister – Her refusal
was not due to her magnanimity but due to a compulsion, due to a law.
We must all remember that as soon as the election results came in
2004, Mrs. Gandhi was all elated to become the Prime Minister and in
fact did not give any hint that she was not going to be the Prime
Minister in the following day or so. But after a secret meeting with
the President Abdul Kalam Azad, she suddenly announced of her
sacrifice and newspapers started becoming emotional ’bout her ‘amazing
grace’.

Actually, it was a law which stopped her from becoming the Prime
Minister and not her magnanimity. According to Indian Constitution, it
behaves exactly the same to a foreign born Indian resident as the
country of that person’s origin treats Indian citizien. And as it is
not possible for an Indian citizen to become the prime minister of
Italy so automatically it is impossible for an Italian born Indian
citizen to become the prime ministr of India.

vtpcnk on Fri, 3rd Apr 2009 5:01 am

>The onus lies on right wing groups >like BJP to put across a progressive >view of their nationalist agenda >without preaching hate.

i agree. and muslims must also be more open to the rappochment/
reconciliation with hindutva groups and also be wary of secularists
queering the pitch to serve their own agendas.

satwagunam on Sat, 4th Apr 2009 12:48 am

@basil mohsin.

You have pointed out correctly. It is one of the reason that the
congress ensured that the abdul kalam did not get re-elected for
second term as the went by book and constitutional experts advice,
which obviously sonia gandhi did not like.
Adal on Sat, 4th Apr 2009 3:53 am

From the very first General Elections in 1951-52 till 1977, Grand Old
Party -CONGRESS- was ruling the centre and many states.Indira Gandhi’s
paranoia led her to declare “internal emergency” and atrocities
connected there with.Lok Nayak JP Narayan mustered the public for a
second revolution.the great Indra was defeated by a political clown!
Morarjee was the PM and the Govt. was Janata Party Govt.It was busy
haunting Indra!

Morarjee wanted the Jan Sanghis to give up sangh parivar
memebership.the result the first ever Non-Congress Govt. was toppled
after 2 years 4 months and4days!

consequent to that Indra came back sweeping the polls and ruled till
1984.BJP got just TWO MP seats!Rahul succeeded her mother and ruled
till 1989.During the election, Rahul was assasinated!VP Singh formed
the National Front Govt.To checkmate singh’s Mandal Report, Advani
went on Rath Yatra and sowed the seeds of communal hatred. The second
non-Congress Govt. fell after 11 months and 8 days!In the 1991
election PV Narasimha Rao became the lastCongress
PM.On 6th December,1992,the heritage Babri Masjid was demolished under
Advani’s orders, as per his daughter-in-law’s written statement
published in The Hindu! thanks to the goodwill earned by Ataljee the
BJP led NDA could rule for six years. Advani’s failure to contain
Gujarat riots led to the defeat of NDA in 2004.Advani will be like the
parrot which patiently waited for the silk cotton fruit to burst and
eat the seeds. When it did get burst the sedds were swept away by the
wind!

vtpcnk on Sat, 4th Apr 2009 4:59 am

>The ruling caste in India has been >the Kshatriyas, the fighter caste and >not the Brahmins.

the so called power of brahmins has been overhyped – primarily by
colonial/church interests in their effort to divide and subvert hindu
society. they simply quote out of context verses from texts like
manismiriti to support their arguments – but seldom mention that the
same manusmriti confers honours on the brahmin only if he embraces a
life of poverty to preserve the dharma.

>Brahmins have merely functioned as >the advisors to the rulers and not >the rulers themselves.

but this is atbest only a miniscule segment of the brahmin community.
the great majority have often been poor or atbest middle class.
serving as priests, clerks, teachers etc.

but a lot of them fought colonial rule – and so earned the ire of the
british which blackened the community’s name – especially so in
tamilnadu where the so called “dravidian” movement was covertly
sponsored and directed by the church.
satwagunam on Sat, 4th Apr 2009 9:23 pm

@vtpcnk

It is true. Brahmins never were powerfull nor rich. As per the
tradition of the brahmins as per vedas, he is supposed to live by
unjavrithi “bavati biksaham dehi”.

British could easily use all type of activities to get hold of the
smaller kingdom in India. But they identified very clearly that the
brahmins are the intellectual of the country. brought in the concept
of Dravidian / Aryans. They were accorded highest repsect with highest
punishment. Vedas says that if a similar type of crime is done by four
varnas the punishment is as under :

Shudras – 1 X
vAishyas – 2 X
KSHYATRIAS – 4 X
Brahmins – 16 X

Made brahmins the villain for the caste discrimination. Today brahmins
are spent force but the caste discrimination is in tact with the
khsyatrias and vaishyas.

anserindicus on Thu, 9th Apr 2009 3:49 am

Nice article. Need to read again before making a serious comment. As
per my knowledge Rajeev Gandhi was a Parsi, not a Brahmin.
satwagunam on Sat, 11th Apr 2009 11:17 pm

What u said is true. Further the gandhi surname was a fraud by indira
gandhi on the people of india. It was used to sell gandhi’s name for
power. It was GANDHY and NOT GANDHI.

Now it is a christian family which shows themself as hindus for the
power nothing else. Thankfully nehru dynasty has lost the charm over
the people thanks to ineffeciency corruption and media.

M Naqqaad on Tue, 21st Apr 2009 5:22 pm

satwagunam & vtpcnk,

Your zeal to prove yourself scientific has exposed your mentality.
After so much of hype about humanitarian rights and democracy, you
have fallen in the trap of the church which guarantees you that you
would enter the Heavens because Jesus has sacrificed hiself for all
human sins. Now, this is really laughable and I think people who are
influenced by even quacks as baba will enact a law which will make
people serve for crimes of their parents or offsprings. Going by the
trends in our country this law will also be utlised to torment the
weaker sections only. Hopefully this should remain a ‘pipe wild
dream’.

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:27:55 PM9/11/09
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http://indianmuslims.in/islamic-perspectives-of-inter-community-relations/

Islamic Perspectives of Inter-Community Relations

By Yoginder Sikand 562 views Published: June 27,
2009

Maulana Yahya Nomani

(Translated from Urdu by Yoginder Sikand)

The issue of what Islam has to say about inter-community relations is
one about which much misunderstanding exists. Anti-Muslim
propagandists claim that Islam preaches hatred for non-Muslims, and
that the Quran is a menace to world peace. They go so far as to argue
that world peace is simply impossible as long as the Quran exists. In
order to back their propaganda, they have deliberately twisted and
misinterpreted certain verses of the Quran. Many people with little
knowledge have fallen prey to this poisonous propaganda, which has
been aggressively spread on an enormous scale through the media.

At the same time, we must also admit that some Muslims themselves
entertain misunderstandings and extremist views about the issue of
relations between Muslims and others that are based on a completely
wrong interpretation of the Quran and the Sunnah, the practice of the
Prophet. This calls for a detailed study, so that misunderstandings,
wrong interpretations and extremist views about Islamic teachings
regarding relations between Muslims and others can be countered.

It is true that Islam stresses that Muslims, here understood in the
sense of true submitters to God, are distinct from others in terms of
their religious views and ethical virtues. It cautions them from
imitating others, especially their religious symbols and rituals,
which Islam does not accept. It is also true that Islam strictly
forbids befriending enemies of the faith and those who conspire
against Muslims. At the same time, however, Islam exhorts Muslims to
relate to other non-Muslims with softness, good manners, gentleness
and love.

Respect for the Human Race

Islam teaches that all human beings, irrespective of community or
race, are children of the same set of primal parents, and, so, are
bound together by their common humanity. As the Quran states:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a
female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each
other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honoured
of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of
you.” (Quran 49:13).

This basic Islamic teaching about the whole of humankind being
children of the same parents stresses the need for consciousness of
our common humanity and of us being brothers unto each other. This is
why, according to a hadith report, the Prophet would, after finishing
his prayers, supplicate with God, saying, ‘O Allah! Sustainer of
myself and of everything! I bear witness that all human beings are
brothers of each other.’

According to the Quran, human beings are creatures worthy of respect:

“We have honoured the sons of Adam […]and conferred on them special
favours, above a great part of Our Creation.” (Quran 17:70)

This clearly indicates that Islam regards human beings as deserving
respect, love and concern on the basis of their humanity. A hadith
report well illustrates this teaching. Once, the Prophet was present
along with some of his disciples when a funeral procession passed by.
The Prophet stood up. Seeing the Prophet stand out of respect for the
dead man, some of his companions informed him that the man had been a
Jew. But, the Prophet responded, ‘Was he not a human being?’ After the
Prophet, some of his companions, too, followed this example of his, as
is related in the books of Hadith compiled by Bukhari and Muslim.

In another hadith report, the Prophet exhorted his followers to relate
with kindness to all creatures thus:

‘God is merciful to those who are merciful. Deal with mercy towards
creatures on earth and He in the heavens will be merciful towards
you.’ (Sunan Tirmidhi, 1924; Sunan Abu Daud, 4941).

This hadith report very clearly expresses a basic Quranic teaching.
The Quran states that the true path to salvation is through showing
mercy and love to others:

“And what will explain to thee, the path that is steep? (It is:)
freeing the bondman; Or the giving of food in a day of privation to
the orphan with claims of relationship, or to the indigent (down) in
the dust. Then will he be of those who believe, and enjoin patience,
(constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of kindness and
compassion. Such are the Companions of the Right Hand.” (Quran 90:
12-18)

This is the path of salvation—not simply to be kind-hearted, but also
to participate in the mission to promote, in practical terms, kind-
heartedness and compassion for others. Such are the steps on the path
to salvation. Islam does not restrict good behaviour simply to other
human beings. Rather, it insists that Muslims should behave in this
way with all living creatures. Thus, according to a hadith recorded in
the Sahih of al-Bukhari, the Prophet said, ‘There is merit (sawab) in
behaving well towards all living creatures.’

The Bond of Nation/Community (Qaum)

Islam recognizes a certain sort of brotherhood and feeling of oneness
among members of the same community/nation as an established fact.
This is expressed in the Quran in the form of various prophets, such
as Hud, Saleh, Shoeb and so on, addressing the non-Muslim members of
their communities as brothers, and, in this way, accepting a
relationship of nation- or community-based brotherhood between Muslims
and non-Muslims belonging to the same nation or community. When these
prophets of God preached His message to their own people (who were not
Muslims, or ‘submitters’ to God), they addressed them as ‘ya qaum’ or
‘O my people’, appealing to their hearts and reminding them of the
common bond of community that they shared with them. This clearly
indicates the sort of concern and love that Muslims should adopt when
addressing their non-Muslim compatriots and in seeking to cement bonds
with them.

The importance of how concern and love should infuse relations between
people belonging to a common race or nationality, despite their
religious differences, is evident from the fact that the Prophet
Muhammad cared for the (the then non-Muslim) Egyptians just because
the mother of the Prophet Ismail (Ishmael), son of the Prophet Ibrahim
(Abraham), was from Egypt. The Prophet instructed the Arabs to
remember this ancient racial tie, saying that they would soon conquer
Egypt and that he wanted them to deal with the Egyptians kindly
because they had the right to protection (haq-e zimma) and because
their racial ties with the Arabs demanded this.

Kind Behaviour Towards Non-Muslims: Some Examples

Various Islamic teachings and Sunnah or practice of the Prophet
indicate the kindness and concern that non-Muslims deserve from
Muslims. The Quran mentions that needy non-Muslims are deserving of
the financial assistance of Muslims, and that, therefore, they should
be helped. In the Surah Al-Baqara of the Quran, God says that guiding
others to the faith is not the work of human beings, and that God
guides whom He wills. The Quran adds that we must not refuse to help a
needy person simply because he or she refuses to accept Islam. It says
that we shall be rewarded for whatever we spend in God’s way:

“It is not required of thee (O Messenger) to set them on the right
path but Allah guides to the right path whom He pleaseth. Whatever of
good ye give benefits your own souls and ye shall only do so seeking
the “Face” of Allah. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to
you and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.” (Quran 2:272)

This verse indicates that while providing financial help to others it
is not necessary to distinguish between those who accept Islam and
those who do not. In other words, all needy people are deserving of
such help.

Elaborating on this verse, the noted scholar Imam Ibn Jareer Tabari
wrote in his Tafsir-e Tabari that the verse commands Muslims not to
deprive non-Muslims of charity. He was of the view that this was how
numerous companions of the Prophet and those who came after them in
the next generation understood this verse.

This was also the practice of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. Thus, as
mentioned in the Kitab al-Kharraj by Abu Yusuf, the Caliph Umar sent a
letter to his governor, instructing him to provide for his poor and
needy non-Muslim subjects from the wealth of the Muslims.

Reconciliation and Kind-Heartedness

Islam stresses kindness towards relatives, especially close relations,
so much so that it says that God declares war against he who does not
fulfill his responsibilities towards his relatives (Masnad Ahmad 1684;
Sahih al-Bukhari 5987-5989). It also declares that those who sunder
their relations with their relatives will have no place in heaven
(Sahih Muslim, 2556).

Kindness towards and reconciliation with relatives applies to all
relatives, Muslim as well as non-Muslim. It is their right. Islam
seeks to cement relations, not to destroy them. Thus, non-Muslim
relatives have all the rights over a Muslim, so much so that the Quran
lays down that if a Muslim’s parents are not Muslim themselves, and
even if they seek to pressurize their Muslim son or daughter to
abandon Islam, they must be treated well under all conditions,
although one should not yield to their pressure. As the Quran puts
it:

“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail
upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his
weaning: (hear the command) “Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents:
to Me is (thy final) Goal. “But if they strive to make the join in
worship with Me things of which thou hast no knowledge obey them not;
Yet bear them company in this life with justice (and consideration)
and follow the way of those who turn to Me (in love): in the End the
return of you all is to Me, and I will tell you the truth (and
meaning) of all that ye did.”(Quran 31:14-15).

The mother of Abu Hurairah, a companion of the Prophet, used to say
bad things about the Prophet, but Abu Hurairah tolerated this. When he
complained about her behavior to the Prophet, the latter prayed for
her, rather than expressing hatred for her. Because of this, she was
guided (Sahih al-Muslim, 2491).

The mother of Hazrat Asma bint Abu Bakr was a polytheist. In the wake
of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah between the Muslims, led by the Prophet,
and the Meccan pagans, relatives from both sides were able to meet
each other. At this time, Hazrat Asma’s mother came to Medina to meet
her, bringing along with her some gifts. Hazrat Asma thought of
reciprocating this gesture by giving her mother some presents when she
was returning. However, she hesitated for a bit, not sure if Islam
allowed for Muslims to present gifts to their non-Muslim relatives.
Accordingly, she approached the Prophet and asked him if she should
seek to strengthen her ties (silah rahmi) with her mother. In reply,
the Prophet said she must, and instructed her to give her gifts.
(Sahih al-Bukhari 2602; Fath al-Bari).

Some commentators have claimed that Hazrat Asma’s mother had come to
Medina because she was in need of help. But, the fact is that she was
a well-off woman, and Hafiz Ibn Hajar and other scholars have written
that she herself had brought gifts for her daughter. Thus, it could be
that she wanted to restore her bonds with her daughter that had been
earlier sundered. In other words, Hazrat Asma’s giving of gifts to her
mother appears not to have been an expression of help to a needy
mother, but rather, a way of expressing and fulfilling her duty of
familial love.

Other Social Relations Between Muslims and Others

While Muslims have been forbidden to engage in such relations with non-
Muslims that might undermine or destroy their religious
distinctiveness, Islam stresses that Muslims must relate with concern,
and a high standard of morality with non-Muslims in order to create a
better society. Treating neighbours kindly is such an important
Islamic teaching that in the corpus of Hadith, narrations relating to
the Prophet, it has been said that not abiding by this teaching can
sometimes even lead to the danger of one’s own faith being taken away.
The Prophet thrice proclaimed that he who is a source of discomfort to
his neighbour is not a true believer (momin) (Sahih al-Bukhari,
6016).

One’s neighbour, who deserves exemplary treatment, can be a Muslim or
a non-Muslim, and the above-mentioned principle applies in both cases.
This is well-illustrated in the following story. One day, a goat was
slaughtered in the home of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar. When he returned
home, the first thing he did was to ask if some of the meat had been
sent to the house of his Jewish neighbour. ‘I have heard the Prophet
stressing the importance of kindness towards neighbours’, he said (Abu
Daud, 5152).

One aspect of the life of the Prophet, which serves as a model for
Muslims to emulate, is that even if an enemy is in great trouble one
should supplicate for him with God. On the one hand, the Prophet would
beseech God to punish bloody oppressors, but, on the other hand, we
see the Prophet helping the Qureish of Mecca, who stiffly opposed him,
when they were faced with a severe famine. In that critical situation,
Abu Sufiyan, the Qureish leader who had stridently opposed the
Prophet, came to him. Invoking their relationship, he said that the
Quraish, the tribe that the Prophet himself belonged to, were dying,
and requested him to beseech God. The Prophet prayed to God, and
because of his prayer the situation was cured (Sahih Bukhari, 4824).

It is said that if a Jew present in the Prophet’s congregation would
sneeze, the Prophet would do the same dua, ‘May God give you guidance
and improve your condition’, for him as he would for a Muslim (Sunan
Abu Daud 5040). Because they were so fond of this dua, some Jews would
pretend to sneeze, but the Prophet still do this dua for them. In the
Masannaf Ibn Abi Shiba, the Masannaf Abdur Razzak and the Sahih of al-
Bukhari, there are numerous narrations about the Prophet making dua
for non-Muslims. This clearly shows that Islam exhorts its followers
to deal kindly with people of other faiths.

Commensality or eating together has great importance in building
relationships. The Prophet used to invite non-Muslims for meals.
Expressing concern for the oppressed and distressed, irrespective of
religion, is something basic for good social ties, and the Prophet
Muhammad also abided by this. He would visit the homes of non-Muslims
when they were sick, to enquire about their health (Sahih al-Bukhari
5657). The Prophet also gave gifts to non-Muslims, and courteously
accepted the gifts that they presented him with, as has been recorded
in the books of Hadith. It is said that a non-Muslim ruler sent the
Prophet a beautiful silken cloak, which the Prophet accepted (Sahih al-
Bukhari 2616). He gave it to Ja‘afar bin Abi Talib, saying that he
should send it to his ‘brother’, Najashi, the Christian ruler of
Abyssinia, who had helped the Muslims (Masnad Ahmad 13214). The Caliph
Umar sent a valuable cloth as a gift to a ‘polytheist brother’ of his,
and the Prophet knew about this (Muslim 2068). The ruler of Aila sent
the Prophet cloth and a mount, which were put to use (Sahih Bukhari
3161). At the time, when the Prophet was departing from this world, he
instructed Muslims, especially their leaders, that delegations of
guests (who were generally non-Muslims) that would come to them should
be given presents while departing, as he himself had done (Sahih al-
Bukhari 3053, Sahih al-Muslim 1637).

From these references to the shariah and the Sunnah, the practice of
the Prophet Muhammad, it is clear that Islam stands for
humanitarianism, love, concern, compassion, large-heartedness and good
behaviour with people of other faiths, in general. That is to say, if
a person who follows another faith is not an oppressor or an enemy of
Islam or a conspirator or is not waging war against Muslims, Islam
considers him or her worthy of help and solidarity and stresses
respect for his or her humanity.

*(This is a translation of excerpts from Yahya Nomani’s Urdu book, al-
Jihad [Lucknow: Al-Mahad al-Ali Lil Darasat al-Islamiya, 2009. Yahya
Nomani works with the Lucknow-based Urdu Islamic monthly, al-Furqan)

Recent Posts By Yoginder Sikand
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2 Comments on "Islamic Perspectives of Inter-Community Relations"

Sayed Wasim on Sun, 28th Jun 2009 2:39 am

As Salamu Aliekum….

Thanks Brother Yoginder Sikand for translating such a wonderful
article…

Wassalam….
Adal on Mon, 29th Jun 2009 5:35 pm

Moulana Nomani has made it quite clear that Islam stands for
peace,love, concern and compassion for humanity as well as for other
creatures on earth.

The deviant behaviour of a few should not lead one to deem the entire
community guilty.

Te flock of sheep is not deemed black even if the black sheep
outnumber the others.Why, then, the foolish acts of some make the
entire community to be suspected or suppressed?

Confidence invariably begets other’s confidence, so also the
cooepration.


bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:33:00 PM9/11/09
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http://indianmuslims.in/the-threat-of-political-islam/

The Threat Of Political Islam

By Sadia Dehlvi 2,136 views Published: March 29,
2009

(24 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)

The trail of terror continues with cricketers as the latest target.
The Mumbai and Lahore attacks, public executions and the murder of
over a thousand civilians in the Swat valley by Taliban style
terrorists are horrifying examples of atrocities committed by militant
groups thriving on political Islam. Global Muslim communities require
urgent measures in condemning the agenda of political Islam that
distorts religious scriptures to legitimise violence. This ideology of
Islamism is threatening to replace a moderate and spiritual Islam,
leading to the destruction of society, particularly oppressing women
and minorities.

Muslims have a moral responsibility to engage in the social, political
and economic development of the societies they live in. Global Muslim
societies would do well in following the exceptional efforts of the
Indian clerics in denouncing terrorism and de linking it with Islam.
Sincere moral outrage needs to be expressed at Taliban atrocities in
Afghanistan and Pakistan, political kidnappings and assassinations,
militancy in Kashmir, Shia Sunni killings in Iraq and Pakistan, fatwas
that condone suicide bombings in the Israel Palestine conflict and
other such atrocities that effect innocent lives. Muslims require the
consensus of the international in combating extremism but our
credibility is lost when we demonstrate selective outrage as in the
aftermath of the Danish cartoons.

Political Islam draws its lifeblood from the ideology of fighting the
oppressor, but has clearly become the oppressor. Even though some
Islamist groups have renounced violence and accepted the principles of
democracy, marginally improved their stand on women and minority
rights, they remain socially conservative. In Jordan, the Islamist
party does not support the rights of women to file for divorce. In
Kuwait the Islamists fought against the right of women to vote. In
Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood will not allow a woman or a person from
a minority community to become head of state. Unfortunately, militant
Islamist groups thrive in the political vacuum created by oppressive
regimes in most Islamic countries.

Muslims must stop blaming the problem of extremism on catastrophic
foreign policies for two wrongs simply do not make a right. Islamism
is primarily a Muslim problem, threatening both Muslim and non- Muslim
societies. We need to acknowledge there is a problem of theology when
extremists talk of going straight to heaven after taking innocent
lives.

The roots of all modern militant Islamic movements can be traced to
one man called Abdul Wahab from Nejd in the Arabian Peninsula. He set
out to ‘purify’ Islam, believing that Muslims had drifted away from
true religion. Wahab’s followers destroyed many sacred sites he
considered idols. Attacking the arts for being frivolous and
dangerous, Wahab sanctioned the rape; murder and plunder of those who
refused to follow his injunctions. He was considered a heretic by
most, for Makkah and Madinah were then centres of contemplative Islam,
inhabited by Sufis from all over the world.

In 1774-5 Wahab negotiated a deal with the then nomadic tribe of Saud,
forebears of the current royal family in exchange for support in their
quest for political domination. Most Saudi’s reject the name Wahabbi;
they either call themselves Muwahuddin- Unitarians- or Salafi,
refering to salaf, the venerated companions of the Prophet. In this
blinkered view, no other version of religious truth can exist. This
new face of Islam has nothing to do with Sufis, music, poetry,
miracles or the countless devotional customs of Muslim cultures across
the world.

Under the patronage of the Saudi Arabia, Wahabism went from strength
to strength. Abul Ala Mawdudi, a journalist who translated the Quran
outside the paradigms of classical propagated the Wahabi ideology. He
founded the political party Jamaat e Islami in Pakistan, making jihad
central to Islamic discourse. Addressing non-Muslims as infidels, he
grouped Muslims into ‘partial’ and ‘true’ Muslims. Mawdudi’s ideas of
Islam as a revolutionary doctrine to take over governments and
overturn the whole universal order deeply influenced Syed Qutub of the
Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. These groups have been motivated by
political upheavals and the rejection of traditional scholars. Syed
Qutub’s brother happened to be among the teachers of Osama bin Laden.

The extremism now found in Makkah and Madinah, the heartland of Islam,
is the Wahabi ideology that the Saudis have spent millions in
promoting through their outreach programs. There is no tolerance for
Shias, Sunni Sufis or other Muslim traditions, leave alone non -
Muslims. Unfortunately, there is no collective Muslim protest against
the Saudi regime for bulldozing graveyards, destroying cultural and
religious heritage in the holy cities, imposing a certain sexual
segregation of the sexes inside the Prophets mosque at Madinah,
radical sermons, or the distribution of radical literature outside
Saudi mosques, many of them issuing calls for death to whoever they
view as infidels or innovators of Islam. The problem of Muslim
extremism began in the Muslim world and the responsibility of
resolving it lies with us.

The inability to present a picture of Islam as a peaceful religion is
a collective failure of global Muslim communities. We could begin with
increasing the decibel in condemning violence, sectarianism, standing
up for the rights of women, stop demonising the other as kufaar
(infidels) and show increased support for democratic movements in
Muslim countries. It is time for the devout, silent peace-loving
Muslim majority to speak for Islam. Let us become louder than the
radical voices that claim to represent us.

Sadia Dehlvi is a Delhi based writer and author of the forthcoming
book, “Sufism: The Heart of Islam” published by HarperCollins India.

bademiyansubhanallah

unread,
Sep 11, 2009, 3:37:11 PM9/11/09
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http://indianmuslims.in/sufism-the-heart-of-islam-new-book-by-sadia-dehlvi/

Sufism: The Heart of Islam (New Book by Sadia Dehlvi)

By Raza Rumi 878 views Published: June 27, 2009

(8 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)

Getting a visa to India is a nightmare for ordinary mortals. My
application was not very politely returned last month with technical
objections. It was only when a letter from Harper Collins arrived that
the High Commission rather efficaciously allowed me to enter enemy
territory, that too with special instructions that cantonments were
out of bounds. I guess the South Asian officialdoms have yet to
discover that Google Earth has permanently altered the shape of
boundaries and secrecy.

Sufism:The Heart of Islam

by Sadia Dehlvi
Price: Rs. 695.00 (Hardback)
pp 400
Harper Collins India Original

I had to plan this rushed sojourn to attend the launch ceremony of
Sadia Dehlvi’s book that has now hit the Indian bookshops with a bang
and will soon be found in Pakistan. Sufism – the Heart of Islam is the
culmination of Sadia’s journey of self discovery, and to use Bulleh
Shah’s metaphor, entree into the inner temples of the heart. This was
no ordinary launch, as I have been a literary companion in this path
that Sadia has taken – right from the conception of the book, its
shifting hues and drafts, the magnificent illustrations and poetry
translations, and of course its final shape.

I had almost given up the idea of being present at the launch in the
face of visa hurdles. I think the gods intervened, or as I told Sadia
our beloved saints – Khwaja Gharib Nawaz of Ajmer and Nizamuddin
Auliya of Dilli – allowed it to happen. The launch brought together a
host of other friends who have been involved in giving various stirs
to this book-brew.

The launch took place at Hotel Le Meridian and was a major Delhi
hungama, as the hall was packed with more guests than it could
accommodate. The nonagenarian Khushwant Singh made it despite his
formal goodbyes to social occasions, and so did many others who have
been friends with Sadia.

The inimitable thumree singer Vidya Rao launched the ceremony with an
ensemble of what is these days known as Sufi music. She presented a
Na’at in poorabi ang that was a delightful piece, establishing
intimacy with the last Prophet (pbuh) urging him for blessings. The
folk idiom made it even more striking than the usual renditions of
this genre one is used to in Pakistan. A Hindu woman offering
salutations to Hazrat Mohammad (pbuh) was a rare sight by itself. My
favourite hierarchy of Sufi love, sung so beautifully by Vidya, was:

Khwaja milay tau Ali milay
Ali milay tau Nabi milay
Nabi milay tau Khuda mila

Khushwant Singh had to leave early, so he made a speech that was full
of his classic witticisms. Declaring that he was free of God in his
mental landscape, he had started to believe in miracles and the
biggest miracle was Sadia writing her book! Mushir ul Hasan, the
keynote speaker praised the book and its central message that Sufism
was embedded in Islamic thought. He was a little critical of the
Naqshbandi school of Sufism that was orthodox in his opinion, and had
a sectarian bias in its worldview.

Karthika V. K., Chief Editor, Harper Collins India was most pleased
with the book and she was also quick to note Sadia’s devotion to this
project and spoke of how absorbed in the book writing and production
she had been for the last one year.

Sadia was beaming with things coming together. Even on this occasion
she could not stop herself from cracking jokes about the writing
process, and she also spoke of how scared she was of her mother’s
wrath if anything went wrong. The author’s mother, Zeenat Dehlvi, has
been the proverbial lighthouse in introducing her to the Sufi tariqa
or the path. Using several translations of mystic verses Sadia
projected a lively, intimate and personal understanding of Sufi
principles and vision. Oroon Das, an eminently talented theatre actor
ended the evening with renditions of a wide range of Sufi verse from
the book – from Hafez and Rumi to Bulleh Shah, as well as more
contemporary Sufi poets.

Sadia Dehlvi for some time was known in Delhi as a page three persona
– attending parties and events, and pictured as a secular, brainy
Muslim diva holding forth on various issues – until her journalistic
career took a turn over the last few years as the ‘principal’
spokesperson for Indian Muslims. Her writings and television
appearances have harped on some bold themes such as the need for
Muslims to look into their own backyard, use a bit of rationality and
above all reject the orthodox Wahabi streams that seem to have
engulfed the Muslim imagination in the era of militant Islamism.

In this process of getting to know herself and her cultural heritage,
her focus shifted to an exploration of Sufism and its various
historical movements. In the subcontinent, the Muslim identity cannot
be separated from Sufi moorings, given the monumental role that the
travelling saints, dervishes and fakirs played in converting the
native inhabitants of India. The Muslim ruling classes were interested
in India’s wealth and the capture of its political power since the
eleventh century. Therefore, the rulers, most of whom were men of
Central Asian or Persian descent were unlikely candidates to be
spreaders of Islam’s egalitarian message.

Thus the great mingling of mystical Islam and India’s local, folk
traditions found a synthesis in the South Asian brand of Sufism. But
this was an endeavour that remained within the intellectual and
spiritual depth of core Islamic beliefs. The current erroneous
observations of Sufism as a separate belief-system from ‘Islam’,
therefore, is an uninformed view and betrays the lack of understanding
of this drummed-up danger religion.

For instance the book mentions the Prophet Muhammad declaring in a
Hadith Qudsi: ‘Heaven and earth cannot contain Me but the heart of my
faithful servant contains Me.’ The mystic poet Fariduddin Attar
illustrates the state of the lovers in this couplet translated by
Annmarie Schimmel:

When you seek God, seek him in your hear
He is not in Jerusalem, nor in Mecca nor in Hajj

Sufism takes the reader in an engaging way, through the layers of
Islamic beliefs, and explains how a three-fold structure comprising
“sharia, the outer law; tareeqa the inward path; and haeeqa, the
arrival at the reality of Allah” are the different facets of a
universal worldview of the religion. The various stages of the Sufi
path such as hal (intoxicated state) and maqaam (station) are also
elaborated well for lay readers.

The most illuminating part of the book is the evolution of Sufi
schools of thought and their key beliefs and approaches. While
browsing through the text one marvels at centuries of synthesis in the
Indian subcontinent, which explains why the dergahs remain such a
focus of public attention and imagination.

What I especially like about this volume is its immediate connection
with readers. For example Sadia writes in a chapter entitled Tariqa –
the Way of the Sufi:

“Growing up in an Irish convent boarding school, I regularly went to
church, sang Christmas carols, baked Easter eggs and imbibed Christian
values. During annual holidays a maulana, a religious teacher, came
home to teach the Quran to all the children. He instilled the fear of
God into us, with the result that fear remained the only emotion that
the heart felt for the Creator. Somehow, this overwhelming fear kept
me connected to Allah, despite often wanting to break away completely.
Traversing the Sufi path changed my attitude, for it teaches that
prayer rituals are worth little if not accompanied by love and
sincerity.”

Whilst exploring the core of Sufi thought, the book traces the
extraordinary lives of the early Sufis including the companions of the
Prophet (pbuh), their sayings, and their emphasis on the purification
of the heart. For modern readers, the larger narrative covers the
period of early Islam to its current nemesis in the shape of militant
ideologies. The book’s key argument is also contemporary: how Islamism
is the undoing of a faith founded on the principles of love, peace and
tolerance. The engaging style in which the book insightfully examines
the complex relationship of Sufism with both Muslim and non-Muslim
societies, should be instructive for readers outside South Asia as
well.

Sadia’s book is a timely addition to the debates on Islam, Sufism and
its accessibility and reader-friendliness. This is bound to attract a
large number of readers.

Extract from the book

The most common response on hearing the title of my book has been:
‘But what has Sufism got to do with Islam?’ I realize that Islam is
perceived as a faith with harsh laws, whereas Sufism represents
wonderful poetry, dance, art and an appealing form of universal love.
It is difficult for some Muslims and most non- Muslims to accept that
Sufism is the spiritual current that flows through Islam. Sufi Masters
are called ahl e dil, ‘people of the heart’.

They teach that religion has no meaning unless warmed by emotions of
love, and interpret Sufism as being the heart of Islam. However, I do
understand that Sufism has come to mean something quite different in
the language of the New Age. Disillusioned with religion and the
problems associated with it in secular democratic societies, people
tend to mix and match elements from various religious traditions that
personally appeal to them…The Quran informs us that Islam is not
something that began with the Prophet Muhammad some 1400 years ago,
but with the creation of the universe in which Adam was the first
Prophet. Sufism is the timeless art of awakening the higher
consciousness through submission to the Divine Will. The Sufi doctrine
goes far beyond history and is rooted in the primordial covenant all
unborn souls made with their Creator. Many friends view my visits to
dargahs, Sufi tombs, as senseless medieval superstition.

Some orthodox Muslims even insist that Sufism is an innovation in
Islam-a sinful practice that our ancestors picked up from Hindu idol-
worshipping traditions. They reason that since most of our ancestors
were Hindus, some of us are still using pagan methods like singing, to
please the gods… I would also like to share the miracle of my son’s
birth. The best of infertility specialists had categorically told me
that due to various complications it appeared virtually impossible for
me to have a child. I was 32 years old, with the biological clock
ticking away. I wanted a child desperately, but the doctors were not
hopeful. My mother reprimanded me for giving up hope and despairing of
God’s grace.

She advised me to go to the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti,
popularly called Gharib Nawaz, Patron of the Poor. I travelled to
Ajmer and pleaded for his blessings, vowing to come back for
thanksgiving if my prayer was granted. In Delhi, I regularly visited
the dargah of Hazrat Shah Farhad and lit candles for the granting of a
child… My prayers were answered and a few months later there was an
embryo kicking away in my womb, causing boundless joy. My son Arman
Ali was born in Karachi through a Caesarean section, and while being
wheeled away after the operation I faintly heard the doctor comment on
the miracle birth. According to the Islamic calendar, Arman was born
on the sixth of Rajab, a date that marks the annual Urs, death
anniversary, of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz.

The sixteen-year-old lad is a musically talented child, and this is a
gift that I believe is from the Sufi Master… While researching the
biographies and discourses of the Sufi Masters, I slowly began to
understand traumatic experiences as both nourishing and necessary for
those who truly seek to purify and liberate the mind, body and soul… I
discovered that spiritual endeavours leading to states of ecstasy were
usually rooted in grief. God, by His own admission to Moses, revealed
that He lived in broken hearts. All Sufis believe that both affliction
and bounties are the blessings of God.

Something stirred my soul and I began to see myself as blessed rather
than cursed by God. It changed my relationship with Him from one of
animosity to one of friendship and love. I made a conscious, sustained
effort to apply some basic principles of Sufism to my shattered life.
I vowed to develop rida, resignation to the will of Allah; tawakkul,
trust in Him; sabr, patience; and mohabba, love. I found that it soon
provided me with the strength of a lioness and the flight of a falcon.
I no more fear life or death, for I see life as an endurance of God’s
will, and death as something that unifies us with the Creator.
(Extract from Sufism: The Heart of Islam – by Sadia Dehlvi. Published
HarperCollins India.)

bademiyansubhanallah

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Ghalib: Ode to Benaras

By Raza Rumi 940 views Published: October 21,
2008

(4 votes, average: 4.75 out of 5)

The cancer of communalism and bigotry in South Asia continues to haunt
us. These days, the Muslims are once again a subject of intense,
though not always fair, scrutiny in India: their loyalties are being
questioned and many are potential terrorists if not already abettors
of violence. The post 9/11 world has contributed to the demonising of
the Muslim identity and history to surreal heights.

The recent bomb blasts in Delhi have placed the communal discourse on
the front pages. The invaders and violent Muslims have done it again.
A friend called me from Delhi and narrated the profiling that takes
place at marketplaces and how the gulf between different communities
is widening.

There was a time, not in the ancient past, when in Delhi the greatest
of Urdu poets Mirza Ghalib (1796-1869) lived in an age when Hindus and
Muslims shared common saints, dargahs and even popular gods and
goddesses. Written accounts of this age – the mid to late 19th century
– relate how intimate co-exitence of “Mussalmans” and “Hindoos” had
led to a relative amalgamation of customs among the common people. And
poets like Ghalib could see the commonalities of spiritual streams:

In the Kaaba I will play the shankh (conch shell)

In the temple I have draped the ahraam (Muslim robe)

The verse above delineates the Sufi concept of fana (or dissolution of
the self in divine reality) and the unity articulated by the ancient
Indian texts such as the Vedanta. Sufis were to elaborate this as the
wahdat-al-wajood (Unity of Being) philosophy.

Ghalib’s vision of a secular man and society were therefore largely
shaped by the crystallisation of a centuries’ long evolution of co-
existence, of a culture that was inclusive and beyond the rigidities
imposed by clergies. When still in his teens, Ghalib moved to Delhi
from Agra. A proud descendant of Turkish ancestors, Ghalib was a
phenomenal mind and a poet gifted with boundless imagination. Through
his life he suffered financial insecurities that made him look for
patronage first at the Mughal Court and later from the British
Government. However, his poetic imagination blossomed and his mastery
over the craft and soul of Urdu ghazal is universally acknowledged.

Persian is no longer an accessible language for most readers in India
and Pakistan. Ghalib was proud of his Persian verse. This is why the
discovery of a lesser known Persian mathnavi (a long rhymed poem),
Chiragh-e-Dair (the temple lamp), has left me amazed at the range of
his vision and the integrity of his intellect. Ghalib’s modern Indian
biographer, Pavan Varma, has produced a competent English translation
of this Persian mathnavi in Ghalib: the Man and the Times .
Translations never do justice to the originals, but the grandeur of
Ghalib’s thought process has not been lost in this translation.

May Heaven keep the grandeur of Benaras

Arbour of this meadow of joy;

For oft returning souls – their journey’s end.

In this weary Temple land of the world,

Safe from the whirlwind of Time,

Benaras is forever Spring.

This poem was written when Ghalib broke his journey to Calcutta at
Benaras. Benaras, or Varanasi, is a revered site in Hinduism, believed
to be where time originated. Varanasi is also sacred in the Buddhist
scriptures, as well as in the great Hindu epic of Mahabharata . Dotted
with ancient temples and ghats , the embankments along the river
Ganges have attracted millions of pilgrims for centuries. Ghalib’s
journey to Calcutta was made with the intent to petition the British
authorities for the resumption of his royal pension, which had ended
with the Mughal rule in India. Ghalib resided in Benaras for a month
or so and imbibed the temporal and spiritual beauties of this ancient
city.

The masnavi in a symbolic way cites Kashi as Kaabaa-e-Hindustan,
something that clerics in India and Pakistan would not tolerate in the
21st century.

The Kaaba of Hind;

This conch blowers dell;

Its icons and idols are made of the Light,

That once flashed on Mount Sinai.

These radiant idolations naids,

Set the pious Brahmins afire, when their faces glow

Like moving lamps…on the Ganges banks.

It is incredible that a Muslim poet who prided himself on his Turkic
ancestry and invoked the “warrior” past in his day-to-day conversation
(through his letters) could compare the divine light at Mount Sinai to
the lamps at Benaras. This is a poem of extraordinary beauty, of
cultural grace that romanticises Ganga (Ganges River), Kashi (another
name for Benaras) and their magnificence through a unique set of
images:

Morning and Moonrise,

My lady Kashi,

Picks up the Ganga mirror

To see her gracious beauty,

Glimmer and shine.

Later in the mathnavi, the poet questions a “pristine seer” who knows
the “secrets” of whirling time: “Sir, you will perceive/ That goodness
and faith, fidelity and love/Have all departed from the sorry land…/
Brother fights brother./Unity and federation are undermined./ Despite
these ominous signs/ Why has doomsday not come?”

The seer rather poignantly points towards Kashi and smiling gently
tells the restive poet that the “Architect,” is fond of Kashi’s
edifice that is the source of all colour in life; and He would not
like it to “perish and fall.” And the pride of Benaras soars to an
eminence, “untouched by the wings of thought.” This was not the first
or the last poem to be inspired by the ambiance of Benaras but for a
Muslim poet to compose it was phenomenal. I wonder if today such
lyricism and cultural inclusiveness is even remotely achievable by any
poet of the subcontinent.

Admittedly Ghalib’s unconventional views were not fully shared by many
Muslims. However, if there was lack of tolerance, it would have been
impossible for Ghalib to loudly proclaim his views and retain the
immense following in Delhi and outside.

Pavan Varma, the translator and biographer, further tells us: “In a
time of fundamental discordance with his views, it may not have been
possible for a Hindu, Munshi Hargopal Tufta to become Ghalib’s
foremost Shagird [pupil] and closest friend. Not would it have been
possible for Ghalib to declare another Hindu – Shivji Ram Brahman – to
be like a son to him; or for the Mughal emperor of his age, Bahadur
Shah Zafar, to appoint a Hindu convert to Christianity – Dr. Chaman
Lal as his personal physician.”

Such times can only be imagined like the long-lost tales from a Never-
never-land. This is an age of terror, profiling and fracturing of what
was created by a millennium of cultural accords and understanding.

And there is no Ghalib to inspire and reclaim the music of human
coexistence.

Raza Rumi is a regular writer and blogs at RazaRumi.com. This article
was first published at The Friday Times.

Photo: Banaras Ghats

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:42:45 PM9/11/09
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Beyond Borders – With Shubha Mudgal And Tina Sani

By Raza Rumi 450 views Published: September 3,
2008

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Days after the recent skirmishes at the Line of Control, when the
composite dialogue between India and Pakistan was threatened, an
alternative reconciliation was underway in Lahore. Music became the
metaphor of shared ground between the two countries, challenging
divides between them that can become violent.
Lahore hosted the legendary vocalist Shubha Mudgal for a few days. The
crusade launched by Beyond Borders Television, a production house and
sister company of The Friday Times and Good Times, is a unique
development in Pakistan’s media world. It is Beyond Borders’ mission
statement to produce programming for regional channels that promotes
understanding between peoples. Undaunted by visa restrictions and
overcoming official barriers, Beyond Borders organised Mudgal’s visit
to Lahore to record a tripartite discussion between Mudgal, Tina Sani
and Jugnu Moshin, the compere.

The night before the recording, there was a get-together at the home
of Jugnu Mohsin and Najam Sethi. It was a typical July evening, marked
by the promising stillness of the monsoon. The fragrance of tuberoses,
motia and lillies had made the atmosphere surreal and when the power
breakdown happened, and candles were lit, it was like a slice out of
some previous age. This was also the day of my homecoming: I had
returned to Lahore after a year. I recalled a fleeting meeting with
Mudgal in Delhi that had left an indelible impression of her
unassuming and cheerful personality. The possibility of meeting Mudgal
again on the day the exile returned to his country was the best of
surprises. In the bargain, spending time with Tina Sani was a great
bonus.

Khalid Ahmed, executive director of Beyond Borders and a man who has
won his spurs both as a theatre artist, director and screen actor, was
in Lahore from Karachi to oversee the recording. When I entered Jugnu
Mohsin’s living room, he was sitting there with his full head of
silver hair all askance as in the famous Einstein look. There was also
a sprinkling of Lahore’s literati and intelligentsia, the
proliferation of which has lagged behind annual population growth
rates. One of the tragedies of Lahore since the time of General Zia ul
Haq has been the inwardness of the public intellect and its retreat
into private spaces, that is until the 2007 lawyers’ movement that has
hopefully changed the contours of public life for time to come. The
varied guest list was eclectic: Pakistan’s premier historian, Ayesha
Jalal; the incisive writer Ahmed Rashid; and the famous British
journalist Christina Lamb were present. Lamb, with her long
association with Pakistan was as dismayed as the rest of us with the
rise and rise of extremism in the once peaceful land of the Indus, at
how those taking the name of Allah had decided to appoint themselves
His representatives and had reached the precincts of Peshawar. These
are bizarre times, full of cacophonous constructions of discourses,
jihads and nationalisms.

Ghazala Rahman and Nuscie and Jeelo Jamil joined the gathering later,
to be followed by the dynamic Principal of the National College of
Arts, Naazish Ataullah. Also present were the exuberant young Mira
Sethi and her friend Hira Nabi; and thus the reception of Shubha
Mudgal was not restricted to the fast-fossilizing intelligentsia of
the older generations.

The overdose of camera flashes amid the dim lighting indicated that
Mudgal had arrived. Flanked by Tina Sani and accompanied by a music
devotee from Karachi, Dr Ghazala Aziz, Shubhaji made a graceful
entrance. Dressed in an understated sari, she sported a mangal sutara
as her only piece of jewelry, a stark contrast to the ostentatious
display popular on this side of the border. Smiling effusively and
doing her namastes and handshakes with a personal touch, here was a
legend of our times, a voice that is already in conversation with
immortality.

Shubha Mudgal is a diva of Hindustani classical music and its myriad
genres such as Khayal, Thumri, and Dadra among others. Of late she has
also espoused modernity and dabbled in popular Indian pop music; this
has not pleased all the puritans of music but has provided the youth
of the Subcontinent with access to her majestic voice.

Shubha Mudgal was born in 1959 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Her
parents, professors of English literature, were ensconced deeply in
the classical Hindustani music tradition as well as in Kathak. Mudgal
was made to learn Kathak initially, though later she devoted herself
to learning classical music. It was her first guru, Pandit Ram Ashreya
Jha in Allahabad, who chiseled her talent and instilled rigour and
patience into Mudgal. Later she also learnt with the maestros Pandit
Vinaya Chandra Maudgalya and Pandit Vasant Thakar in Delhi, Pandit
Jitendra Abhisheki, Naina Devi, and Pundit Kumar Gandharva. Thus she
has had the best musical training and developed her unique style
perfecting various musical forms. Mudgal recounted these stages of her
training when she addressed her Lahori admirers, who listened to her
with respect and a fondness that is usually expressed for long lost
friends.

In Lahore, Mudgal appeared comfortably at home. Perhaps this is
because of the Delhi mood that Lahore shares, for reasons of history
and a shared culture that refuses to dissipate despite the partition
of 1947. The home-cooked dinner, sensitive to Mudgal’s vegetarianism,
was a chance for a breather before this little gathering picked up.
Tina Sani is the other star who attracted the attention of the guests
at the mehfil. Tina’s is also an unassuming persona, charming in
manner; her large, intelligent eyes support her conversation.

Within minutes, the dining room was converted into a small arena of
interaction, of spontaneous musical renditions and of fascinating
discussions. Some were seated on sofa chairs while others sat on the
floor continuing the exchange on India, Pakistan, music and all that
is common to the two countries. Indeed, Pakistanis and Indians can be
most gracious as hosts and guests, and the camaraderie expressed could
not be ignored by the visitors from the West, Christina Lamb and her
colleague Justin.

Mugdal was requested by Khalid Ahmed to sing; and this began an
endless series of lilting melodies, a collage of the best of her
thumris and geets including the famous line, “laga chunri mein daagh,”
from the film with the same title. She sang from her soul and left
everyone spellbound. Tina Sani sang her hallmark Faiz’s poem “Bahaar
ayee (spring arrives), but her most captivating rendition was a
wistful ghazal by Bahadur Shah Zafar where he laments the beloved
streets and forgotten faces of pre-1857 Delhi. Sani was superb as she
sang this, and the reaction she elicited had everything to do with the
precariousness of genteel life in today’s Pakistan.

And then she sang “Bahaar aye” which lifted everyone’s spirits. Hope,
as they say, sprang eternal. Conversation then veered towards the
modernist interpretation of Faiz’s poetry by Tina Sani as she brought
a new sensibility to her renditions with the outstanding compositions
of Arshad Mahmood. Sani recalled how she had never known Faiz as a
person but her interaction with him had started through his poetry and
her own readings of the great poet.

I asked Shubha Mudgal to sing a few lines from the Sufi ghazals that
she had rendered at the famous Jashn-i-Khusrau concerts in Delhi. The
fulsome nature of Mudgal’s voice is well suited to the soulfulness of
Sufi poetry. We were told how Mudgal had been taught by her Guruji to
consider music and devotion inseparable realities. Small wonder that
she turned to mystical compositions across religious divides.

Shubha Mudgal has over time proven her versatility and eagerness to
experiment. This is why Sufi chants have relevance for her. In fact
the roots of Hindustani classical music are located in the shrines of
India, especially in the bold new phase initiated by Amir Khausrau and
his patronage of Qawwali. The melodies and innovations of Amir Khusrau
were to shape the future of classical music, especially the ascendancy
of the Khayal style in the Mughal era.

Mudgal had sung Ghoom tana with Salman Ahmed of Junoon; the central
motif of the spinning wheel represents divine motion. Her solo album
The Awakening also contains a few Sufi melodies, testifying to
Mudgal’s belief that there is an intrinsic link between all forms of
music. Ali Moray Angana and Kar Sajda are therefore melodies that are
not only relevant to Muslims and their belief systems but central to
the ethos of Hindustani classical music as well.

This was a splendid evening that became more memorable when Jugnu
Mohsin spoke of her own adulation for Farida Khanum and all the
stories of her personal musical evolution. Naazish Ataullah also
shared her childhood memories of the centrality of music in her daily
life, narrating tales of eccentric Ustads; of migrant relatives from
India who came with nothing except their highly developed musical
tastes and talents; and of how an age intertwined with music and
musical training crumbled after 1947.

But music, the great uniter, is eternal. It has acquired newer
dimensions and forms; though this centuries old classical music
requires patronage as well as a renewed interest from all walks of
life. This is why Beyond Borders has undertaken the momentous task of
bridging divides, reclaiming shared heritages, and contributing to the
transformation of the Subcontinent into a region where musical notes
may eventually subdue martial tunes.

Photo: Shubha Mudgal

Originally posted at RazaRumi.com.

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:45:20 PM9/11/09
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http://indianmuslims.in/review-jodha-akbar/

Review: Jodha Akbar

By Raza Rumi 2,156 views Published: March 31,
2008

(9 votes, average: 3.33 out of 5)

The challenge of translating a historical era into a cinematic
endeavour is daunting, especially when it concerns historically
contested subjects such as the fabled love between 16th century Mughal
Emperor Akbar and Jodha Bai, the legendary princess from Rajputana who
later ruled India as Empress and symbolised the Hindu-Muslim accord of
the times. However, it is not historical accuracy, or lack thereof,
which defines the rather exasperating cinematic narrative of an
otherwise glorious period of the subcontinent’s history. It is the
facile treatment of history, its interpretative variants and its
actors that makes the Bollywood film Jodhaa-Akbar a disappointment.

Akbar’s reign symbolised the zenith of the Mughal Empire and also some
of its unique attributes. Whether it was the secular, tolerant
governance based on the Sulah-i-Kul (peace with all) policy, opening
up the frontiers of theological discussion, effective administrative
systems or promotion of Indo-Mughal art forms, Akbar was a pioneer in
most respects.

Jodhaa-Akbar attempts to capture the essence of that particular
moment: the Indianisaton of the Mughal court and most importantly, the
royal household. Whether it is to do with the grafting of a temple
within the Agra fort or the introduction of vegetarian meals, these
were significant markers for centuries to come, enabling a tiny Muslim
minority to rule the non-Muslim majority. But the film fails to handle
this momentous phase of history appropriately and instead churns out a
masala mix that, despite the massive budget, results in mediocre film-
making.

This is not to say that the film is without merit. It is visually
stunning in places and A R Rehman’s music is outstanding. The two
stars – Ashwariya Rai and Hrithik Roshan – provide glamour and unreal
beauty. The settings are competently improvised and yes, the feel of
the whole cinematic experience does convey the clichéd Mughal aura of
splendour, excess and a hybrid aesthetic. Rai and Roshan exude that
enigmatic chemistry which makes them an attractive pair on screen.

But it is the treatment of the subject, characters and nuances that
disappoints, especially when one remembers director/producer Ashutosh
Gowariker’s earthy and under-your-skin rendition in Swades . In the
pursuit of commercial success, Ashutosh relies on soft plagiarism. The
battle scenes remind one of the Hollywood blockbuster Troy; the
inanimate army contingents resemble those in Gladiator; and the sword
fighting sequences re-enact the visual tricks of Crouching Tiger,
Hidden Dragon . But these are all still pardonable.

The most unforgivable moment in the film is the near destruction of an
otherwise lilting melody, Khawaja Meray Khawaja , meant to be an
incantation for the great Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti buried in
Ajmer. The filming of this song is almost farcical. The Qawwals aiming
at Semaend up mimicking the whirling dervishes of Konya. To add insult
to injury, they also wear Rumi caps and sport fake beards. At the end,
our secular Emperor joins in the whirling of the dervishes.
Understandably, this was a purely commercial gimmick. However, the
mystic haal (trance) of the South Asian variety is distinctive for its
myriad forms and general lack of structure. Even if this sequence had
to be used, there could have been better ways of employing the global
‘hit’ whirling stunt.

Another minor anecdote overlooked by Gowariker and his co-writer
Haidar Ali is that Akbar sought blessings from Khawaja Moinuddin
Chishti by walking barefoot to his shrine rather than tying his
nuptial knot at the shrine. Talking of facts, it is also unclear who
Jodha Bai was. Yes there are Jodha’s quarters in each of the Mughal
palaces, but the Rajput princess whom Akbar married, according to some
versions, was Harka Bai, daughter of the ruler of Amber, Raja Bharmal.
To be fair, there are several disclaimers in the titles so one can
overlook this license with history taken by the director.

What is sad is that the script props cardboard characters and insists
that they are larger than life. Not much is known of the relationship
between Akbar’s powerful foster mother Dai Anga and Jodha Bai. But the
characterisation in the film turns into a mocking recreation of Kyunki
Saas bhi Kabhi Bahu thi ethos with domestic struggles taking place on
who controls the kitchen and what food is to be cooked for the
Emperor. The handling of this conflict in the film reeks of those
infamous STAR Plus serials hugely popular in India. If at all, this
conflict was about power as the Rajput Empress (like the later Queen
Nur Jehan) inducted her kith and kin in senior positions within the
Empire. That Dai Anga was a female power centre at the Mughal court is
glossed over. And, what can one say about the poor Nau Ratans — the
famous nine advisers of Akbar – they appear such caricatures and
lifeless beings on screen. Admittedly, the film was not about Akbar’s
court; however, this does not mean that the larger setting of this
love story should have been treated with such an amateur brush.

One fails to understand why the honour-obsessed Rajputs in India are
protesting. If anyone needs to protest it should be the Muslims of the
subcontinent. Except for Akbar and his Persian mother, Hameeda Banu
Begum, the film unwittingly promotes the Muslim stereotyping agenda.
From Bairam Khan to Akbar’s brother-in-law, almost every Muslim is
barbaric, intolerant and, more often than not, scheming. The Mughal
characters were complex people, neither barbaric Mongols nor Kabir
chanting Bhagats. Ancient and medieval Indian history is replete with
tales of violent Hindu rulers, so what differentiates them from the
Mughals? From a subaltern point of view the local populace underwent a
discontinued experience of exploitation. Akbar’s humanism and
tolerance was unprecedented in that age. The film harps on these
themes for a particular message but ends up validating all that the
Hindutva brigade loves to say, and is never afraid to say, about
Muslims and Muslim rulers in particular.

The performances are perfunctory except for the leading protagonists.
Both Roshan and Rai come across as fairly fluid actors and for once do
not massacre common Urdu words such as Khoob and Khush . The
cinematography is first rate and the costumes (including the jewelry)
are aesthetically noteworthy. Alas the script and its structure, is
what undermines the entire effort. Bollywood may have surpassed world
cinema in technique and viewership but it lacks that elusive attribute
known as “quality-screenplay” not to mention its total disregard for
time in true South Asian fashion. For instance, Jodhaa-Akbar at times
appears to be a real time drama. The total length of the film is three
and a half hours. Was there an editor on the team?

Having said that, it is a fairly watchable film as it tries to re-
invoke the medieval process of Hindu-Muslim co-existence; and brings a
lost era back to life. Jodhaa-Akbar also, rather boldly, depicts the
unusual cinematic tale of a Hindu woman falling for a Muslim man,
albeit grounded in political opportunism. Rajput “honour protests”
against the film in India need to be understood in this light. For
once Bollywood has undone the cliché of Muslim woman and Hindu man.

Those interested in the Mughals should see this film preferably on a
big screen. Jodhaa-Akbar could have been a great film. Its main theme
held that intrinsic potential but it was splintered by an overdose of
pop history, a flaky script and the relentless commercialism that
defines our age.

(Initially posted on www.razarumi.com)

bademiyansubhanallah

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Journeying Into Mysticism

By Raza Rumi 1,541 views Published: September 19,
2007

(No Ratings Yet)

Guest Post by Raza Rumi

I turn my face towards the monsoon breeze and lament that I’m in Delhi
for work. How will I manage the sightseeing agenda? The faint scent of
champa flowers seems hauntingly familiar and I’m reminded of Lahore.
Despite my efforts, visa hassles and my non-Indo-Pak-peace-brigade
status have prevented this journey from materialising for years.
Driving through Delhi at night, I almost start the litany of
superficial judgments but stop for fear of falling into the abyss of
clichés. Nevertheless, I cannot help but notice the images of exotic
India – or the official Incredible India. Yes, incredible is the word.

The Maurya Sheraton hotel is a haven of comfort totally removed from
the real Delhi world. This is what I resent about luxury hotels in
developing countries: the sense of disconnectedness, the ultimate
denial of what lies beneath. Maurya is packed with party-hoppers –
there is a huge weekend bash at the hotel. The Delhi party-goers are
far more free-spirited than the Pakistani lot. They appear at ease
with what they wear and do, and conduct themselves in a remarkably
unselfconscious manner. The hotel driver, Uttam Ram, warned me that
the ‘real’ India is different, that this crowd is too Westernised and
the influence of Bollywood is to be blamed. . . but how can I agree? I
live on Bollywood myself. The journey has been too long and that first
night in Delhi, I crash on the huge four-poster bed. I am not a party
boy after all!
Sunday morning passes in work – yes, I work on Sundays and have often
thought of killing myself for accepting such terms in my mortal life.
After an afternoon nap, I wake up to a sense of regret for having
wasted a day in “Dilli.��? I get in touch with Sadia Dehalvi, hoping
for her company during my visit to Nizamuddin Auliya’s tomb. She is
already planning to go there and we plan to meet a little before
sunset.

I reach Mathura Road in an hour and soon find myself wading through
its distinctly medieval ambience: labyrinthine alleys, crowds of
beggars and street-vendors, a ‘bazaar’ mood. To my delight, I spot a
sign pointing towards Ghalib’s mazaar . This is a traditionally Muslim
area: there are several signs offering Umra packages and most signs
are in Urdu. The stereotype of suffering Indian Muslims gains currency
here. I try not to notice all that and walk around until I find
Ghalib’s mazaar . Having being fixated on Ghalib and his poetry for
the better part of my life, I am a little disappointed by the matter-
of-factness of the place. Even though the tomb has recently been
renovated after a court order, it is quite low-key. Nevertheless, the
area retains a unique atmosphere and the building itself is somewhat
alluring. Near it is the Ghalib Academy, but I rush to Nizamuddin’s
dargah and follow the scent of desi roses until I find my way to the
tomb.

As I wait for Sadia, I muse about her varied talents, from photography
to acting, music to publishing. Khushwant Singh devoted a book to her,
announcing that she has earned much notoriety for him, but it might be
the other way round since Sadia also appears in Singh’s infamous Men
and women in my life . We share the gateway to Islam, since our
respective families were converted by Hazrat Shamsuddin of Multan
while our ancestors travelled to perform pagan rites. Sadia is a scion
of the Dehalvi khandaan , publishers of Shama , an Urdu language
monthly that achieved great popularity even in Pakistan. Shama was
closed some time ago and the majestic Dehalvi house was sold to a
popular party representing the interests of scheduled castes in the
United Provinces, but the Dehalvis retain their verve and sense of
humour. The miniscule Muslim intelligentsia has integrated well in a
rapidly changing India.

Sadia and I meet outside Nizamuddin’s tomb, where a qawali is being
performed in the courtyard and hundreds of people of all faiths are
present. While I imbibe this dramatic setting, Sadia introduces me to
the local sajjada nasheen – Sadia and her family are life long
devotees and know everyone there. I’m ushered into the tomb and follow
the motions: there is extended duaa and I am presented with a chaddar
(in fact the chaddar is tied around my head, to the envy of many other
visitors). Here, one can sense a truly profound mood – perhaps because
the interior is so quiet, despite the human traffic.

I am curious to find out about Amir Khusrau’s tomb, Nizamuddin’s most
prominent devotee who lies buried in the same compound. What a place
this must have been, given the deep effect it had on language,
multicultural and interfaith communication and the evolution of north
Indian musicology. I’m suddenly overwhelmed by this place’s history
and all that I have read on this particular era.

Princess Jehan Ara, Shah Jehan’s daughter and Dara Shikoh’s
confidante, is also buried in the same compound. Her tomb is a small,
elegant chamber made of polished white marble with delicately carved
latticework. The epitaph is exciting indeed: Let naught but green
grass cover my grave / For mortals poor it’s a grave-cover brave .
Jehan Ara was a poet herself and has several diwans to her credit.
Like Dara Shikoh, Jehan Ara’s character encompassed a deep strain of
mysticism, a passionate and abiding love for the Chishti saints of
India, especially Khwaja Moinuddin of Ajmer, whose tomb she expanded
and biography she authored. Like Shah Jehan, she created many gardens
and buildings – Delhi’s Chandni chowk was her brainchild. Jehan Ara
and Dara were both losers in the grand battle between orthodoxy and
syncretic Indo-Muslim culture. The struggle is not over, I remind
myself. Lahore again intrudes on my thoughts: these royal children
were inspired by Lahore’s Sufi saint Mian Mir . . . dear old locality
of Mian Mir and the canal with those stunning jacaranda trees.

Recently, the French archaeologist/novelist Lyane Guillaume re-
launched princess Jehan Ara in India and the West through the novel
Jahanara . There has been some controversy about the historical
narration since the novel is nuanced with incestuous references to the
affinity between Jehan Ara and Shah Jehan on the one hand and the
latter’s love for a female domestic attendant on the other. Guillaume
might have been carried away a little whilst applying the Electra
complex and modern theories regarding human sexuality to the Mughal
royals; but then, the Mughals were no regular types either!

Sadia interrupts my musings and her 12-year old son Arman – who is a
veritable musical genius – asks me several questions about his
brothers in Karachi who are my dear friends. Sadia cracks a joke about
Mohammad Shah Rangeela, who got a place for his tomb in the Nizamuddin
sanctuary mainly because he was emperor until Nadir Shah looted Delhi.
His tomb is desolate and not a single candle burns there. We then move
to Pir Hasnain, who offers us masala chips and a much needed cup of
tea. Being Pakistani, I am the recipient of some attention from the
visitors at his gaddi . I get a sense of what is likely to come – my
exotic Pakistani identity, questions on Musharraf, jihad, burqas and
the Bollywood stereotype regarding Muslims. I pander to this discourse
as far as possible until I can take it no more, reminding myself that
Pakistani textbook representations of the wily, untrustworthy Hindu
are mirror images of this syndrome.

Qawali resumes after Maghrib prayers and the place echoes with lyrics
reminding me of dil-e-deewana-i-Khusrau . Eminent filmmaker Muzaffar
Ali has turned Jashn-i-Khusrau into an international Sufi music event,
and a few days later, Sadia makes me buy all the Jashn CDs, though I
need little enough encouragement. I’ve immersed myself in the
adulation of Khusrau since I became familiar with Urdu and Persian
poetry; his contribution to the evolution of Urdu and modern
Hindustani is still under-acknowledged. He was truly avant-garde,
using modern idiom and imagery in medieval India. Later at home, Arman
sings for us: Jiss sawan mein piya ghar naheen / Aag lagay uss sawan
ko . A star in the making, he will graduate in music at the age of
fourteen. I tell Sadia to do an anti- nazar totem to ward off the evil
eye and we share a laugh, but not at the ludicrousness of the idea
because she will do it!

In a while, we all are devouring Al-Kausar (a posh dhaaba ) karoli
kebabs under a pipal (poplar) tree. Pipal trees are readily turned
into pooja sites but this one has been spared – perhaps too much meat
is consumed around here – another problem for the RSS but then, India
belongs to all Indians.

A few days later, I tell my workmate of the 22 khawajas buried under
Delhi’s soil and the very central role this place has performed in the
growth of Sufism in South Asia. My colleague is a little nonplussed as
I hold forth, declaring that Delhi is a grand Muslim resource centre.
By now, I have made an early morning dash to the Lodhi gardens and
walked around the Humayun’s enchanting tomb. My fascination with the
saints has not ended and on Thursday I find myself at the dargah of
Khawaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. Aibak was a mureed (disciple) of the
saint Khawaja, after whom he named the Qutub Minar. Quite
appropriately, the dargah is next to Qutub Minar in the
quintessentially medieval Mehrouli area. Bahadur Shah Zafar also built
a new residential palace here.

Khawaja Kaki is the Qutub-ul-Aqtaab or Qutub of all Qutubs. He
mentored both Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar of Pakpattan and Nizamuddin
Auliya and therefore, has a central status in the Chishtiya line of
sufism . His dargah is patently more sombre than Nizamuddin’s, with
heavy air frozen in time. The rare treat is the unchanged
architectural character – the alleys, tombs and arches are all
reminiscent of the Sultanate or early Mughal style. The mazaar
compound has four banyan trees at each corner of the square and the
mazaar is protected by just a canopy standing on marble pillars. The
pre- Maghrib dua was read in Persian, not Arabic – “He is the leader
of the saints and servant of the poor.��? Simply astounding! In
Pakistan, Khuda Hafiz has been thrown out by PTV and Ziaist mores. It
has been almost twenty years since the heyday of the ‘piety’ driven
cultural purge in the dear homeland.

We sit for some time in a medieval hujra to eat the langar daal and
rotees . According to popular lore, Khwaja’s miracle was the creation
of kakis or small baked pieces of bread that he could cobble from
nothingness. My companions, the Dehalvis, are frequent visitors and
have renovated a hujra that was occupied by a devotee of the Khawaja.
We say the farewell salaam and the shrine manager enters like a king –
repeating the age-old practice of local royalty bowing before the
Sufis with people’s power. We walk towards the Qutub Minar and I find
the place, the mood and ambience quite delightful. Noting the locale,
several Delhi designers and artists have bought property in the area
and a popular, chic Italian restaurant is also located here.

The next destination is old Delhi. Eating at Kareem’s opposite the
Jamia Masjid is essential to a visit here. There is an old Lahore feel
to the place except that the Urdu is being spoken in several dialects.
I pick up some accents but the others remain elusive. Sarmad the naked
faqir is buried close by, killed on Aurangzeb’s orders for declaring
his Hallajesque identification with divine reality. Other than his
refusal to wear clothes, he was brazenly anti-orthodoxy and made no
bones about his love for the Hindu (male) beloved who made him a
deewana in the first place. Above all, he was revered by the eccentric
Dara Shikoh. How can we blame the righteous Aurangzeb for the judicial
murder? There was apparently a trial of sorts, but dissent has always
been an endangered species in our part of the world.

I think of Dara Shikoh again but refrain from crafting postulates.
Aurangzeb was the victor and sadly, that’s that. Years ago, an
internationally acclaimed bureaucrat turned ‘intellectual,’ compared
the Bhutto-Zia conflict with the Dara-Aurangzeb struggle in a paper
that apparently got him a favourable posting. In 2005, Mulayam Singh
Yadav wants to appease his UP voters by siding with the misogynist
fatwas of the local maulvis. Pandering to extremism for self interest
has been perfected to an art form in India and Pakistan. But the
bhakats , the kabeers and the Sufis are still around, and I am
relieved to remember this. There is still light at the end of the
tunnel. It was on this thought that I left Old Delhi.

An earlier version of this article appeared in the Friday Times,
Pakistan.

bademiyansubhanallah

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My Travels to Delhi

By Raza Rumi 1,620 views Published: March 24,
2008

(3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5)

When travels come, they come in battalions. Such has been the
trajectory of my recent sojourns to Delhi. Travel to India can be, at
best, random and left to a game of chance, given how the officialdom
on both sides of the border ensures that people don’t cross real and
imagined boundaries. Coincidence, or as my less rational side would
say, the calling of the Delhi and Ajmer Saints, enabled me to land in
Delhi twice in less than three months.
My most recent visit is in some measure courtesy of TFT. My obituary
on Urdu’s towering writer Qurratulain Hyder in TFT last August was
read by the immensely talented Rakshanda Jalil, media coordinator at
Jamia Millia Islamia. A few months later she sent me an invitation to
talk and present a paper at a seminar on the legacy of Qurratulain
Hyder. There was no way that I could have refused this invite. Ms
Hyder is my all time favourite writer; Delhi, an incomparable city to
visit; and above all the opportunity to explore Jamia, a historical
seat of learning associated with luminaries such as Maulana Azad and
Dr Zakir Hussain could not be missed.

Delhi is not an ordinary South Asian metropolis. Its present day chaos
cannot belittle its grand past, which created a civilisation and
shaped the contours of Indo-Muslim identity, nourished the Urdu
language, produced the finest verse in Hindustani and Urdu and
fashioned a fabulous architectural legacy. This is why Delhi
fascinates me endlessly. Each time I visit, I find a mohallah of the
old dilli that concerns an important event or personality. Even
better, another hitherto unknown monument is introduced to me; it is
like a newly discovered continuation of an enjoyable book. One has
only to casually drive around the city to find that it is dotted with
monuments. I cannot complain that they are neglected in India;
considering that Pakistan’s mighty administrators erect Shaminaas on
Mughal monuments for personal parties, how can one grumble about the
infidel neighbours!

But Delhi is not a city of the dead and tombstones only. It is a mega-
city alive with countless sub-cultures, languages and religions
converging and conflicting at once. The partition has made Delhi into
a hub for Punjabi immigrants as well, bringing a new dimension to the
culture – not to mention hippie haunts such as Pahar Ganj or the hip
Hauz Khas that boast art, fashion and contemporary sensibilities.
However, all of this does not do much for me. I’d rather be elsewhere
for contemporary sounds and flavours.

My Delhi is the Delhi of the Khawajas, the Mughals and the present day
secular Indians – Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs – who respect the separate
identity of Pakistan and are willing to befriend a Pakistani bloke
without reminding him ad nauseam that his country is an artificial
construct – a blot on the soul of mother India. For me, Delhi is the
fascinating mix of places I love to visit and a handful of people who
are warm and intelligent, profound, often unassuming and otherwise
extraordinary in so many ways.

The Nizamuddin neighbourhood, close to the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin
Auliya and a medieval settlement, is my microcosm of Delhi. Despite
the exponential increase in the population, this area retains an
ambiance that narrates the changing seasons of history. There are
numerous monuments scattered around the area and it’s a splendid
feeling to buy a phone card while standing next to Humayun’s tomb or
pick up flowers in front of a medieval noble’s tomb. Not to mention
that each time you cross the road, you’re crossing a few 700-year-old
structures. The drama, poetry and poignancy of the setting cannot be
missed.

As you walk under the shade of old trees from the Nizamuddin East
towards the shrine in the western side of the settlement, the antidote
to affluent gated communities merges into the palpable reality of
Muslim ghettoisation. The old bastee of Nizamuddin houses a community
that has withdrawn into itself and is reeling under a psychological
siege, closing its ranks to the outside world – including modernity
and education. Nevertheless, I love the bastee as it reminds me of old
Lahore. But here the moods of old Lahore have Ghalib’s tomb, footsteps
of Amir Khusrau and the spellbinding aura of Nizamuddin Auliya’s
shrine.

After a quick halt at Ghalib’s lonesome tomb, I always stop at the
Ghalib Academy – a low-key little organisation – next door to check if
there are any new titles or scheduled gatherings. It is a separate
matter that the wine loving Ghalib’s mazar now faces the Indian
Tableeghi Jamaat’s main office in Delhi, where many brethren drunk on
piety loiter about. This time I found Annemarie Schimmel’s A dance of
sparks: Imagery of fire in Ghalib’s poetry at the Ghalib Academy for
Rs 150. Books are published and read in India and affordable prices
are a major incentive for the huge middle class readership. And there
are bookstores that can keep one entertained for days – old and new,
light and heavy, from the banal to the highbrow.

One can walk into the medieval lanes of the bastee where all sorts of
new-age healers have advertised their little spiritual shops. Not an
unfamiliar sight, except that the setting is marvelous. Customarily,
you need to pay respects to Amir Khusrau, inventor of the idiom that
North India and Pakistan speak, before reaching Nizamuddin’s shrine.
There are quite a few intermediaries out to make a quick buck and you
can be stopped a few times to be initiated into a list of rituals that
have to be performed – for money, of course. Luckily, I don’t go there
alone and am hence typically saved of the hassle, but I have been
through it a few times.

In the evenings, qawwals from far and wide perform on a regular basis.
The courtyard turns into a captivating place with hundreds of people
of all religions, castes and ethnicities participating and swooning in
the mehfil. Unpretentious, earthy and undeniably real.

Nizamuddin’s compound houses the grave of Jahan Ara, the spirited
daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan and sister of the eclectic prince Dara
Shikoh. A devotee of the Sufis, Jahan Ara was a poet, a builder, a
city planner and a woman of letters. Jahan Ara created the famous
Chandni chowk, laying out the buildings, canals and a garden around
it. Delhi was ruled and bejeweled by such fabulous characters. As for
the present, let me cite an anecdote. My dear friend, Vidya Rao, a
thumri singer par excellence, found her cat at Nizamuddin. She adopted
the lost cat, named her “Sufi” for the dargah at which she was found
and took her to her house, next to the shrine of H Bakhtiyaruddin
Kaki.

The little compound at the shrine encapsulates eight centuries of
history, empire, movements, musical innovations and poetic
sensibilities that thrive even today. I have also recently discovered
the Sufi Inayat Khan Centre, a hub for the international Sufi network,
next to Nizamuddin dergah. This is a serene place with impressive
facilities. As opposed to the common moorings of Nizamuddin, Inayat
Khan Centre is more exclusive with many European and North American
visitors staying or meditating in their little chambers. Music also
holds a central position within the activities of Sufi Inayat Khan
Centre.

Of course, this is merely a fraction of Delhi’s immense character. But
this is how I like to spend my time there. Not unlike most cultural
capitals, Delhi is abuzz with “events.” The exclusive India
International Centre has become the fulcrum of literary and artistic
events. It has a brilliant library and various places to meet, eat and
chat. The little intellectual island within an endless city endears to
residents and visitors alike.

A lot happens elsewhere too, in somewhat less lofty precincts. This
December, I marched with a rally from Chandni Chowk to Ghalib’s Haveli
in the famous Mohalla Balimaran. This procession was led by none other
than the inimitable poet Gulzar who had flown from Bombay to attend
the birthday celebrations of Mirza Ghalib. Such was the charisma of
Gulzar that Delhi’s Chief Minister was just another guest at the
event. Several Urdu wallahs , an endangered species in India, were
also there in achkans, carrying their lost glory and forsaken dreams.
Ghalib’s brilliant biographer Pavan Verma introduced me to Gulzar –
and what an exciting moment that was. The Haveli was adorned for the
occasion and the hip-hop reporters from the TV channels kept asking
why Galib-ji was so great. In the post-ceremony mayhem, yours truly
was also asked to speak. It was my first TV appearance – on Ghalib’s
humanism, relevance and universal appeal. Not bad, I thought then. God
knows how it appeared as I never got to see it.

Before Ghalib, Delhi was synonymous with Mir Taqi Mir and his timeless
verse. The oft quoted couplets where Mir complains of Delhi’s
destruction cited the city as Aalam mein Intikhaab, the chosen city of
the world, ruined by the vagaries of time. I am glad that Mir Saheb is
no more as he would have disapproved of what old Delhi has become – an
inferno of a time-trapped Muslim underclass, where Urdu is evidently
on the defensive.

Old Delhi, with the Jama Masjid as its landmark, intensely engages the
visitor. The names of the streets haven’t changed and classic Delhi
cuisine – nihari, kebabs and mutton mixes – is outstanding. The
rickshaw pullers, vendors, beggars and the poor largely represent the
local Muslim population. And now the Jamia Masjid might have a mall in
the vicinity that land developers are keen to build and mosque
administrators eager to support. At the end of the day, globalisation
is all about getting rich, even if it means only a handful enjoys the
fruits of “development.”

Sarmad the naked fakir was also a resident of Old Delhi and is buried
there. Beheaded by Aurangzeb for being blasphemous, naked and defiant,
Sarmad’s tomb is befittingly red and flaming. One has to visit the
place to feel what mood it holds: it borders on the surreal. It was
unlike anything that I had ever experienced.

As I mentioned earlier, during my last visit I was a guest at Jamia
Millia Islamia for the seminar on Urdu writer Qurratulain Hyder’s
legacy. Jamia retains its secular credentials but has expanded over
time into a wide-ranging centre of graduate and post-graduate studies.
India’s eminent historian Mushirul Hasan is Jamia’s current vice-
chancellor and has consolidated Jamia into a formidable institution.
Mushir is a prolific writer and quite an inspiring figure.

My paper at Jamia dealt with the enigma of Hyder’s dual belonging and
her popularity among Pakistani readers. She lived in India, but was
immensely popular as she presented an alternative view of history and
selfhood. Hyder remained a unique bond between India and Pakistan
until she died. She was a regular visitor in Pakistan, her second home
in actual terms. Her family, friends and admirers never distanced her
from Pakistan. Like her characters, she travelled, migrated and re-
migrated and became a chronicler of our times, not as a historian but
as a fiction writer. I concluded my talk at Jamia with these words:
“Hyder was truly a dual citizen in an age where acrimonies of
Partition and officialdom have made it impossible to hold concurrent
citizenships. But Qurratulain Hyder even defied that; and proved that,
like her vision, her belonging could be concurrent and beyond the
accepted definitions.”

Indeed that was possible only with the stature and immense talent of
Ms Hyder. Lesser mortals will remain hostage to visas and textbook
identities. My Delhi travels are enriching as they lead to a near-
dissolution of the textbook enmities that we had grown up with as the
grandchildren of Partition. It is this reclaiming of my pre-Pakistan,
Muslim and syncretic history that makes Delhi an enchanting place for
me. Each time I am there, I connect with the larger subcontinental
canvas that exists beyond the accepted and myopic definitions of
identity. This is why I am never bored in Delhi; as many Delhi wallahs
can never bore of the charms of Pakistan.

(This post was first published at www.razarumi.com)

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:54:08 PM9/11/09
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Authors

Regular Contributors:

Ayub Khan: A freelance journalist and a keen observer of political and
social trends in India and abroad. His articles have appeared in The
Muslim Observer, IslamOnline, Meantime, The News and other newspapers
& journals.

Asghar Ali Engineer: A Muslim scholar internationally known for his
work on liberation theology in Islam, the leader of the Progressive
Dawoodi Bohra movement, and his work on (and action against)
communalism and communal and ethnic violence in India and South East
Asia. He has authored more than 40 books and many articles in various
national and international journals, and is founding chairman of the
Asian Muslim Action Network, director of the Institute of Islamic
Studies, and head of the Center for Study of Society and Secularism in
Mumbai.

Inam Abidi: Originally from Lucknow, he is currently based in Dubai
and runs his own business. He is also a part-time consultant to a
Technology Magazine. Inam blogs at The World As I See It.

Kaleem Kawaja: He lives in Washington DC where he is an engineering
manager at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard
Space Flight Center. He led the formation of the Association of Indian
Muslims of America (AIM), a Non Government Organization that continues
to be focused on uplifting India’s Muslim community. For the last
twelve years Mr Kawaja has been in the Board of the Muslim Community
Center, the largest Islamic Center in metropolitan Washington DC,
where he was president for a few years and where he is a trustee now.

Kashif-ul-Huda: One of the pioneers of Urdu on the web, he has been
managing Urdustan.com since 1998. He also maintains a English blog for
Urdu at Urdustan.net. In 1995 he started a reference site for Indian
Muslims at IndianMuslims.info. Since May 2007, daily news website
www.TwoCircles.net keeps him busy. Originally from Bihar he now lives
in Florida, USA.

Manas Sheikh: He is a research scholar at IISc, Bangalore. Manas blogs
at Reflections.

Mirza Akhtar Beg: A geologist for more than forty years. Besides
geology, for the last fifteen years he has written extensively on
national and international political, religious and social issues. His
articles have been published at various places including Indian
Express, Al Jazeera, Daily News and Media Monitors. He blogs at
Mirza’s Musings.

Mirza Faisal: Faisal is a technology professional and a management
graduate student at a leading US University. He has worked at leading
technology firms and has interests in a variety of subjects. His
articles have been published at rediff.com among others.

Mohib Ahmad – Mohib is a management graduate, an Urdu aficionado and a
photography amateur. He maintains an Urdu Poetry website
Aligarians.com and writes his personal blog at Private Opinion. His
photoblog can be found at AKS : REFLECTION.

Rupa Abdi: Rupa is an independent researcher and writer with interests
ranging from development and social issues to mysticism. She also
write poetry and her blog, Ashodara, derives its name from Ashoka and
Darashikoh.

Sadia Dehlvi: Delhi based author, columnist, TV producer, activist and
commentator. Working in media since 30 years and has written for
various Hindi, Urdu and English magazines. Scripted documentaries and
television serials and contributed articles for various books. Winner
of Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Awards and Best Journalist Award.

Sharique Ahmed: Sharique studied at IIT Chennai and currently works
for a major consultancy firm. Sharique blogs at Serendipity and lives
in a city in North India.

Yoginder Sikand: Yoginder Sikand works with the Centre for Jawaharlal
Nehru Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. He has authored
various books on Indian Muslims and allied issues and has done his
research work on Tablighi Jamaat. Sikand holds a Master’s Degree in
sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, and a PhD in
history from the University of London.

Yousuf Saeed: An independent filmmaker and researcher based in Delhi.
He co-directed the science series Turning Point for Doordarshan, and
moved on to make documentaries on a variety of subjects. Some of his
prominent films include Inside Ladakh, Basant, A Life in Science:
Yashpal, and the Train to Heaven which have been shown at numerous
film festivals, academic venues and on TV channels. Besides films and
television, Yousuf also worked for Encyclopedia Britannica (India) as
the Arts Editor. He has been a Sarai Fellow (2004), and an Asia Fellow
(2005). His most recent work is a feature length film Khayal Darpan
about the state of classical music in Pakistan.

Zartab Haidar Jafri: Zartab belongs to Sitapur, an old and culturally
rich city near Lucknow. He is a serial entrepreneur and is currently
based in Dubai.

Other Contributors:

Asad Mustafa Rizvi: He is an IIT graduate.

Asif: Originally from Mumbai, Asif is currently working in Pune as a
technology professional. He blogs at Take A Walk.

Bushra: She is from Delhi and has graduated last year from Hansraj
College. She blogs at هو ٿي كل كتب.

Noemaun: Noemaun graduated last year from IIT Madras and is now a
graduate student at RPI. He blogs at Most things in life are free.

Sadia Raval: Sadia lives in Mumbai but thinks all over. Some of her
thoughts can be found at her personal blog Ambiguity Defined and some
of her captures can be seen at her Flick Gallery.

Subhan Ahsan: He is originally from Mumbai but currently works in
Dubai. He blogs at Subcoded.

Suhail Kazi: An engineer, Suhail is a Bombayite who works in Texas and
blogs at Imaginathon.

Syed Ali Mujtaba: He is a working Journalist currently based in
Chennai, India. He has earned his PhD, from School of International
studies Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and has authored two
books, “The Demand for Partition of India and British Policy 1940-45,
Mittal publication 2002 and “Soundings on South Asia, New Dawn
publication, 2005. Mujtaba has been doing TV anchoring for http://www.mizzima.tv/
and blogs at Mujtaba Musings.

If you are an Indian Muslim and interested in writing for this blog,
please drop me a mail at editor [at] indianmuslims.in

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:57:02 PM9/11/09
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http://indianmuslims.in/indian-muslims-moderation-extremism/

Indian Muslims: Moderation And Extremism

By Asghar Ali Engineer 1,519 views Published: March 16,
2009

(10 votes, average: 2.70 out of 5)

As long as my memory goes I remember Muslims in general and Indian
Muslims in particular, have been criticized for being extremists in
religious matters and though, the criticism went, there are a few
moderate Muslims, they do not take any stand or refuse to stand up and
be counted and always, extremists carry the day. This has been an
unending criticism of Muslims.
It is not that in the past there were no extremists among Hindus. But
they were not so visible and the intellectuals as well as the media
thought that they were liberal and that there may be, of course a few
exceptions. Also, Hindu liberals, unlike the Muslim ones, were not
afraid of taking a stand. These attitudes were, least to say,
historical, apolitical and static. Liberalism and extremism are not,
and cannot be, eternal categories, as often assumed.

Human attitudes cannot remain permanently frozen in one or the other
category. One has to take a dynamic view of the society, as in any
society new realities keep emerging. An extremist today could become a
liberal tomorrow and a liberal today may turn into an extremist in the
coming days. It also depends on political conditions. A politically
dominant community is more likely to be liberal than a politically
suppressed and marginalized community.

It would be wrong to assume that historically Indian Muslims have
been, or at least the dominant trend among them has been, conservatism
or extremism. Indians are inheritors of a very rich syncretic culture,
which would not have been possible without liberal trend among
Muslims. In fact in any religious community there are multiple trends
coexisting in any historical epoch. It depends on our politics as to
which trend we choose to highlight.

Sufis have contributed richly to our sycretic culture and to Indian
Islam. In fact sufi Islam has been a dominant trend in India,
Throughout the medieval ages several regions like Kashmir, Sindh,
Kutch, present regions of Karnataka, Punjab and parts of present day
U.P. and Rajasthan, were highly influenced by sufi culture which was
moderate open and liberal. Even places like Ayodhya and Varanasi had
pockets of sufi culture. Dara Shikoh translated Upanishads into
Persian sitting in Varanasi.

But communal propaganda deliberately ignored this dominant trend and
chose to highlight the role of certain kings like Mahmood Ghazni,
Aurangzeb and others so as to derive political advantage. The
partition of India, which itself was the project of a section of elite
Muslims to retain their political domination, worsened the matter and
Muslims, in majority political parlance came to be associated with
fanaticism and extremism. And the few liberal Muslims they spotted
were also condemned as cowards, unable to take a firm stand.

As stated above extremism is a product not of religion but of
political conditions, Hindu extremism emerged as a strong trend since
mid-eighties of the last century when, due to the emergence of lower
caste Hindus, domination of Brahmanical strata came under severe
threat. Today Hindu extremism of RSS, Bajrang Dal, VHP and BJP itself
is a well-known phenomenon.

I need not dwell upon the spread of this extremism. Minorities are its
target and hundreds of citizens have become the target of its wrath.
Narendra Modis, Bal Thackerays, Singhals and Togadias are dominating
political discourse among Hindutva leaders. Even hundreds of
journalists and intellectuals show contempt for democratic discussions
and basic freedoms. It is not that only minorities suffer from this
intolerant attitude. Hindu secular and liberal elements are too their
target. Mr. Singhal of the VHP threatened Navin Patnaik when he broke
alliance with BJP.

A journalist who claims to be quite fair and objective and keeps on
criticizing Muslim fanaticism and often enters into discussion with me
wrote to me the other day and mark his words: “who is this rascal
Babar to invade India….” This journalist publishes a column regularly
in one of the weeklies and keeps attacking Islam. Thus it will be seen
that fanaticism or extremism is not a religious but political and
social phenomenon and is found in all religious communities of the
world; be they Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians or Muslims.

Indian Muslims do have their quota of extremists and fanatics. But
today in the given conditions, extremists and fanatics are
increasingly being pushed aside, especially in the post-Babri
demolition period. A section of Muslim political and religious
leadership showed extremist attitude during the Shah Bano and Babri
Masjid-Ramjanambhoomi controversy. They adopted a confrontationist
political attitude during those days harming the cause of Muslims.

However, demolition of Babri Masjid and the communal carnage of
Muslims that followed in Mumbai, Surat and several other cities,
marginalized them. They learnt a lesson at a heavy cost and began to
adopt moderation in their attitude. The Hindu militancy totally
subdued them. Muslim masses began to shun extremist leaders and a
section of religious leaders too got the message.

Darul Uloom, Deoband, an important Islamic institution, has always
played important role in Indian Islam in late nineteenth century
onwards and came out sharply against partition of the country and has
adopted even more moderate position of late. It is reflected in a
series of sensible fatwas it has issued recently.

When a controversy arose about cow slaughter, especially on Baqar Eid
day when Muslims sacrifice animals, Deoband issued a fatwa that it is
not obligatory on Muslims to sacrifice cow and Muslims should avoid
sacrificing cow on the day of Baqar Eid. It was a very constructive
attitude and with view few exceptions, Muslims generally followed it.
Similarly, recently when Mr. Singhal of VHP demanded that Darul Ulum
declare India to be Darul Aman, Maulana Mahmood Madani readily
declared India Darul Aman silencing Mr. Singhal. It is a different
issue that Mr.Singhal may now raise some other demand. Time alone will
show as what to the next demand he is going to come up with.

Also, Darul Ulum Deoband has strongly and unequivocally condemned
‘jihadism’ of Muslim extremists and militants and Maulana Madani has
denounced it as fasad, not jihad. Fasad which is also used in Hindi/
Urdu, means corruption, disorder and bloodshed. Thus it was an apt
description of ‘jihadism’ of these politically motivated actors. The
Jami’at-ul-Ulama-i-Hind held huge rallies against so called jihad and
denounced it in no uncertain terms. It was once again a very
constructive role played by Jami’at as they had played during
partition movement.

These rallies against ‘jihadism’ have sent a very clear message to
Muslim masses in India not to support directly or indirectly such
killings by invoking religious doctrine much misunderstood and
corrupted in political sphere. These rallies are still continuing,
though they are not always covered by the mainstream media.

Recently Darul Uloom has issued yet another fatwa after the general
elections were announced which is quite helpful for secular democratic
values in India. The fatwa says that Indian Muslims should vote but
not on the basis of religion. The fatwa further says, “The vote should
not be kept back. One should vote for the party and the leader that is
better and works in favour of Muslims and the country. India is a
secular democratic country. Hence it is out of place to look at its
politics in Islamic perspective and test the parties and political
leaders on Islamic principles”, the fatwa says. This is yet again a
constructive approach to promote secularism and secular values in the
country. Today our voting takes place blatantly on the basis of caste
and religion. One hopes Muslims will follow this sensible advice.

It should also not be construed to mean that there are no other trends
among Indian Muslims. There are extremists and militants, for sure.
However, this moderate trend is emerging as a very important trend and
is represented by one of the most prestigious Islamic seminaries in
India. It is also to be noted that even this seminary continues to be
quite rigid on certain other questions like women’s rights etc. But it
is a different question.

This fatwa, along with others referred to above, sends an important
message to Indian Muslims: it is secular democracy which ensures peace
security and progress and that religious extremism and extremist
politics based on that is totally destructive of all human values. Let
us remember it is secular democracy, which has cemented our unity
across religions, languages and cultures. Extremism has always tried
to weaken it be it Muslim extremism or Hindu extremism.

Again I would like to emphasize that we should not take a static view
of society, as society is ever changing and frozen attitudes on our
part will not help us understand the complex and dynamic reality
objectively. A social scientist should ever be conscious of these
changes taking place around us. That will help break our prejudices
and help understand each other better.
___________________________________
Centre for Study of Society and Secularism
Mumbai.

E-mail: cs...@mtnl.net.in

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 3:59:57 PM9/11/09
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A Crisis Of Faith: 20 Years Of Rushdie Fatwa

By CM Naim 479 views Published: March 9,
2009

(5 votes, average: 3.40 out of 5)

In his Mathnawi the great Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi tells a story
about Moses and a shepherd. Moses happens upon the shepherd and hears
him address God: “If you were here, God, I would serve you. I’d comb
your hair and wash your clothes. I’d kill the lice on your body. I’d
milk my goats and offer you a bowl of fresh milk.” Moses, highly
offended, accuses the shepherd of blasphemy and threatens him into
silence. But then Moses himself is reprimanded by God for coming
between Him and the shepherd, for causing a break instead of a union.

Unfortunately God doesn’t speak to mankind anymore, otherwise I
imagine he would give the same reprimand to those who demand Rushdie’s
head. For The Satanic Verses may rightfully be seen as a “religious”
book, written not out of contempt for the tradition but out of anguish
over it. More than anything, it’s a book about a crisis of faith, a
human condition that is usually not allowed for by those who would
live by the certainty of a distant hell and heaven. Rumi’s shepherd
believed in God and related to Him in the vocabulary of a shepherd;
Rushdie does not believe in God yet feels compelled to try and make,
in what may be called a Rushdie-an manner, a statement of faith. For
Rushdie the opposite of faith is not disbelief. That is “Too final,
certain, closed. Itself a kind of belief.” For him, the opposite of
faith is “Doubt. The human condition…”

Here, I must point out that the first and, in the opinion of some of
the most profound minds in Islam, the greatest such crisis of faith
was faced by Satan when he refused to obey God’s command (as stated in
the Qur’an) to bow before Adam, and thus insisted on retaining the
absolute integrity of his devotion to the One. Satan was punished by
God, but has been celebrated by Sufis such as al-Hallaj (tenth
century) and poets such as Iqbal (twentieth century). Iqbal called
Satan “Lord of the People who Cherish Separation,” and saw in his
rebellion a creative tension.

Rushdie describes his book as an attempt to “give a secular, humanist
vision of the birth of a great world religion.” I have no reason not
to believe him. In fact, I submit that in Rushdie’s own terms,
“Mahound the Prophet” and “Submission the Idea” are not only
triumphant but also worthy of our respect. Repeatedly, various
characters in the book are asked: What kind of idea are you? When you
are weak will you compromise; when you are strong will you be
generous? Abu Simbel, the Grandee of Jahilia and an enemy of Mahound,
answers the first question: “I bend. I sway. I calculate the odds,
trim my sails, manipulate, survive.” Rushdie’s Mahound is also human,
he too has his moment of compromise, the moment of the Satanic Verses,
but then he transcends it and embraces the inevitable.

What is the moment of the Satanic Verses? Al-Lat, Manat and al-Uzza
were three goddesses in pre-Islamic Arabia. Their names occur in the
Qur’an, in chapter 53, verses 19-23, but a story of how those verses
were first revealed and later partly abrogated because they allegedly
contained words favourable to the goddesses, was told by at least one
of the earliest commentators with reference to verse 52 in chapter 22.
The exegist suggests a desire on the part of the Prophet to make Islam
easier for the Meccans, but since Qur’an is the Word of God, he
assigns the effective role to Satan, who, he says, placed the
compromising words on the Prophet’s tongue without his noticing it.
However, a later revelation informed the Prophet of what had happened;
it also abrogated the Satanic words.Most of the later commentators
reject this version, though some of them explain the event by arguing
that Satan only caused the unbelievers to hear those words, that those
words never actually crossed the Prophet’s lips. Contemporary Muslim
scholarship is unanimous in rejecting the entire story; many Western
scholars accept it but do not question the Prophet’s sincerity.

Does Rushdie charge his Mahound with insincerity, does he accuse him
of fraud? This is how Rushdie’s Gibreel explains revelations: “…in
these moments it begins to seem that the archangel is actually inside
the Prophet, I am the dragging in the gut, I am the angel being
extruded from the sleeper’s navel, I emerge, Gibreel Farishta, while
my other self, Mahound, lies , entranced, I am bound to him, navel to
navel, by a shining cord of light, not possible to say which of us is
dreaming the other. We flow in both directions along the umbilical
cord.”

These words contain the empathy of a secular mind, not charges of
deception. To hear those charges, listen to William Muir Esqr. of
Bengal Civil Service in his The Life of Mahomet in 4 volumes,
published in 1858. After recording the incident of the Prophet’s first
revelation, Muir comments: “Thus was Mahomet, by whatever deceptiut
process, led to the high blasphemy of forging the name of God, a crime
repeatedly stigmatized in the Coran itself as the greatest that
mankind can commit” (vol. 2, p. 75).

I bring up William Muir for two reasons. One has to do with Satan.
While discussing the possible explanations of the Prophet’s belief in
his own inspiration, Muir writes, “It is incumbent upon us to consider
this question from a Christian point of view, and to ask whether the
supernatural influence, which appears to have acted upon the soul of
the Arabian Prophet, may not have proceeded from the Evil One and his
emissaries. It is not for us to dogmatize on so recondite and
mysterious a subject; but the views which Christian verity compels us
to entertain regarding the Angel of darkness and his followers, would
not be satisfied without some allusion to the fearful power exrcised
by them, as one at least of the possible causes of the fall of Mahomet
— the once sincere enquirer — into the meshes of deception.”

The Christian polemicist would have Satan as the active cause of all
the revelations; the Muslim exegist assigns only the abrogated words
to Satan’s powers, the rest to Allah through Gibreel; but Rushdie’s
secular purpose is different. Again listen to his Gibreel, who
“hovering-watching from his highest camera angle, knows one small
detail, just one tiny thing that’s a bit of a problem here, namely
that it was me both times, baba, me first and second also me. From my
mouth, both the statement and the repudiation, verses and converses,
universes and reverses, the whole thing, and we all know how my mouth
got worked.”

The second reason I bring up William Muir is that when Sayyid Ahmad
Khan, who single-handedly changed the destiny of Muslim South Asia in
the nineteenth century, read Muir’s book, he did not burn it. Instead,
in 1869, he sailed off to England, spent many months in the British
Museum libraries, wrote a well-documented rejoinder in Urdu, had it
translated into English and then published it from London with his own
money. And if anyone thinks Sayyid Ahmad Khan feared his English
masters they don’t know what they are talking about.

I don’t deny that there are words, actions and images in the book that
would deeply hurt the sentiments of any good Muslim or even of many
good Christians and Jews. Even a dubious Muslim like myself felt
offended several times. If I imagine that God would scold those who
want Rushdie dead, I have no doubt that God would slap Rushdie’s wrist
hard and more than a few times for not being more sensitive to the
sentiments of exactly those whom he wished to champion. But I cannot
question Rushdie’s motives. Anyway, there is a greater issue.

In the early history of Islam, a group of Muslims began to denounce
the first three Caliphs as usurpers, and accused Ayesha of conspiracy
and worse; some of them even suggested that there had been deletions
in the Qur’an. Other Muslims persecuted them. The two groups still
hold to their separate views, but after much killing and conflict have
learned to live with each other. Similarly, while the vast majority of
Muslims insisted on the transcendence of God, a small group found
greater joy in God’s immanence; they sought to unite with Him; one of
them even boldly shouted “I am the Truth.” Many of them were severely
punished; the one who made the bold claim was crucified. But over the
centuries the two groups learned to accept each other. Now, in these
troubled times of ours, a man for whom the God of his tradition is
dead but its historical prophet very much alive, has tried to imagine
a life of the soul incorporating the latter but independent of the
first. What should be done to him? What will be done to him? How will
History judge us in its course?

The Prophet of Islam was very clear in his mind as to which of his
acts and words were “prophetic,” and which “human.” Once, he gave
someone advice concerning horticulture which turned out to be wrong;
he accepted his mistake, and told the man that he was not infallible
in mundane matters. Ordinary Muslims, however, see him as almost
divine, not just free of any sin but devoid of any human weakness at
all. The common Muslim in South Asia does not get his idea of the
Prophet from learned texts; he gets it from themaulood sermons and
popular texts that celebrate the Prophet’s birth. He learns about the
orphan boy who grew up to receiut prophethood, who suffered greatly at
the hands of his enemies but never took revenge, who bore ridicule and
public humiliation without raising a hand to defend himself. The
ordinary Muslim vows in his heart to defend that gentle soul with all
the force at his command. That’s why it is so easy to arouse him in
the Prophet’s name.

I learned about the Prophet from my grandmother, who also had me read
to her some of her favourite books. She told me that when the Prophet
returned to Mecca in triumph he forgave all his former enemies. Now,
as an adult, I read the earliest available biography of the Prophet,
written of course by a Muslim. It confirms what my grandmother had
told me, but it also adds that a few people were in fact ordered by
the Prophet to be killed, including two or three poets, one of whom
was a woman. Does this take anything away from his larger act of
magnanimity? It does not. In fact it underscores his generosity by
bringing it within human dimensions. Now forgiveness becomes something
possible for ordinary mortals like us.

C.M. Naim is Professor Emeritus, University of Chicago. This
presentation was given at a forum at University of Chicago twenty
years back on 10th March 1989 after a fatwa was issued against Salman
Rushdie. Outlook Magazine also republished this article recently at
their website.

Photo: Salman Rushdie

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 4:04:04 PM9/11/09
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Muslims Are In India’s Mainstream

By Kaleem Kawaja 1,336 views Published: March 5,
2009

(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)


The Muslim identity of India is a thoroughly Indian identity, very
different from the Islamic identity of other Muslim countries. This
unique Indo-Islamic identity has evolved over centuries of
intermingling of traditions, culture, religion and social contacts.
The influence that practices of other religions had on the Islamic
tradition, and vice-versa also led to the evolution of unique socio-
religious traditions of the Muslims in India.

Indian Muslims draw their traditions from Arabs, Iranians, Turks,
Afghans, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Abyssinians, and most of all from the
traditions of the various regions of India. Indeed the Muslims of
India, who are descendents of the original inhabitants of India for
millennia, are as diverse as India itself.

By the 14th century when Turk kings ruled in the north, India had
become a major center of Islamic learning. What Leonardo da Vinci
represents to European renaissance, Amir Khusrou represents to Indian
renaissance. In that period the major trend amongst the Muslims in
India was to learn the philosophy, culture and tradition of India and
to introduce the philosophy and culture of the Muslim world into
India. Thus Khusrou was the pioneer in creating a new Indo-Islamic
culture and tradition, and also a new language called Hindvi, the
ancestor of today’s Hindi and Urdu.

Another major development in the Indo-Islamic ethos was in the area of
architecture and technology. Ain-e-Akbari, the 16th century
masterpiece gives ample evidence of Muslims’ having produced a variety
of mechanical devices e.g. wagon mills, multi-barreled guns, screw
cannons, and a variety of ingenuous machinery. Countless magnificent
monuments and buildings all across India speak eloquently of the
Muslims’ contribution to India’s distinct architecture. Muslims made
major initiatives in the production of quality products like
cosmetics, textiles, zari-work, metallurgy, glass and ceramics. Tipu
Sultan is known to have developed rockets for use in his army against
the expanding British campaign in India.

The development of irrigation, hydraulics and the construction of
canals flourished as never before during the long Mogul reign. The
harnessing of the principles of hydraulics and the use of devices such
as deep wells, Persian wheel and artificial lakes, resulted in the
development of the unique Mogul gardens. Large scale development of
orchards and agricultural production was another enterprise of the
Muslims.

Socially and culturally the greatest Muslim impact of the medieval era
on India was through the Sufi movement which led to the growth of the
Bhakti movement. The downfall of the Mogul empire after the first war
of independence in 1857, saw Muslims of India go through a very
traumatic period in which Muslims were subjected to much oppression by
the new British rulers.

In the early decades of the 20th century growth of revolutionary and
nationalistic literature occurred in the Muslim community. Slogans
like “Inquilab Zindabad”, and songs like “Saaray jahan say acchha
Hindostan hamaara”, and Allama Iqbal’s enthusiastic advocacy of the
Indian nationalism are nuggets of India’s long freedom struggle whose
origin lies in the Muslim community.

The partition of India in 1947 was a traumatic event for the Muslims
of India, a majority of whom had taken active part in India’s freedom
struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, and did not want the
partition. After 1947 with guidance from Maulana Abul Kalam Azad,
Indian Muslims again started dedicating themselves to the building of
the new nation, and to become active in various fields. After decades
of struggling with this situation, Muslims are now well adjusted to
the changed milieu of India.

Another important contribution of Muslims to the growth of the Indian
culture is music and movies. Some of India’s top musicians of the 20th
century, continuing on after 1947 are Muslims who contributed much to
the substantial growth of genuine Hindustani vocal music, e.g. Khayal,
Taraana, Dhrupad, Thumri, Qawwali, Ghazal, and musical instruments
like Sitar, Sarod and Shehnai.

As the movie industry developed in India, Muslims took a leading role
as actors/actresses, directors, producers, music-directors etc,
putting Bollywood on the world stage of cinema.

In the last few decades India’s Muslims are again trying to re-invent
the Aligarh Movement of the late 1800s and dedicate themselves to
acquiring education. Although much remains to be done in this area, as
the 21st century dawned, one could see the Muslim community in various
parts of India, north, south, east, west, make a sincere effort to
start educational institutions.

The recent emergence of APJ Abul Kalam, India’s top missile scientist;
Azam Premji, a pioneer in the rapidly growing Information Technology
industry; the internationally renowned painter MF Hussain; Sania Mirza
the world class tennis player; many high achiever Muslims in
Bollywood, as the as top leaders in their fields in India, is a
testimony that Muslims in India are bouncing back to find their niche
in the mainstream of the world class powerhouse, that India is fast
becoming.

The writer is the past President of the Association of Indian Muslims
of America, Washington DC.

Photo: Muslim Prayer Caps

bademiyansubhanallah

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Sep 11, 2009, 4:06:40 PM9/11/09
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India Is Darul Aman, Mr. Singhal

By Asghar Ali Engineer 1,356 views Published: March 3,
2009

(9 votes, average: 2.67 out of 5)

The ulama in medieval ages had broadly divided the world into two
categories: Darul Islam and Darul Harb i.e. abode of Islam and abode
of war. In those days there was no democracy and there were monarchs
and autocrats everywhere. There was no concept of citizenship but the
ruled were treated as subjects. Where monarchs or sultans were ruling
those regions were called Darul Islam and where non-Muslim monarchs
ruled and persecuted Muslims, those regions were called Darul Harb
i.e. abode of war.

Let us remember this division in Darul Islam and Darul harb was done
by the ulama, not by the Qur’an or by the Prophet. The Qur’an divided
people into three categories i.e. Muslims, ahl-al-kitab (those who had
revealed scripture with them) and kafirs and mushriks (polytheists)
who possessed no scripture for their guidance nor they believed in any
formal religion. Qur’an or the Prophet (did not divide the world as
such into Darul Islam or Darul Harb.

Mr. Singhal, the International President of VHP has demanded from
Indian Muslims that they declare India as Darul Aman i.e. abode of
peace which is neither Darul Islam nor Darul Harb. One can only regret
at the lack of knowledge on the part of Shri Singhal or he has been
misinformed by some of his informants. The Ulama in India has never
considered India as Darul Harb except for a short period during the
British rule. Even then the ulama and Muslim leaders were divided.

Shah Abdul Aziz, son of illustrious Alim Shah Waliyullah and himself a
great Alim, had declared India Darul Aman during British period and
issued a fatwa that Muslims could serve in the British army. Also, Sir
Syed Ahmad Khan and his followers never considered India as Darul
Harb. As there is no church in Islam different ulama can have
different opinions on any issue.

In fact India was never declared Darul Harb and Deoband ulama declared
it Darul Harb only during Khilafat agitation when many of them
migrated to Afghanistan and set up there a provisional government
under the leadership of Raja Mahindra Pratap. Mahindra Pratap was
president and Maulana Ubaidullah Singhi was prime minister of this
transitional government. It was then that India was declared as Darul
Harb and it was made obligatory for Muslims to migrate to Darul Islam
i.e. Afghanistan as a Muslim king was ruling there and wage jihad
against the British Government.

However, it was politically immature decision and it proved to be
great disaster as the King of Afghanistan drove away these Indian
Muslims under pressure from the British Government and thousands
perished while trying to flee to Central Asian region. Except for this
brief period India was never declared as Darul Harb.

Also, it is necessary to understand that these categories were evolved
by the ulama during medieval period and does not apply in modern
democracies. Even USA under the Bush government was not declared by
ulama as Darul Harb through it had invaded two Muslim countries and
was aiding and abetting Israel vis-a –vis Israel as United States also
treats Muslims as citizens and fully guarantees their political and
religious rights.

These medieval categories evolved by the ulama of that time no more
apply to the modern democratic world. Let alone India, no other
country today qualify for Darul Harb. Even Israel may not qualify as
Darul Harb for many as the Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel have
also been given rights as citizens of Israel. Mr. Singhal should check
his facts before writing such letters.

He has also demanded that Hindus be declared as not being kafirs. If
Mr. Singhal carefully studies Muslim literature in India he would get
to know that many sufi saints like Dara Shikoh, Mazhar Jani Janan and
others considered Hindus as ahl-al-kitab i.e. people of the book like
Jews and Christians. Mazhar Jani Janan has made many interesting
observations in this respect in one of his letters to his disciple who
had asked Jani Janan whether Hindus could be declared as kafirs.

Mazhar Jani Janan said in his letter that Hindus cannot be treated as
kafirs as kafirs are those who hide the truth and Hindus possess
scriptures like Vedas with revealed Truth from Allah. Also, he
observed Hindus believe in tawhid i.e. one God as Ishwar in Hindu
tradition is Nirgun and Nirankar i.e. without attributes and without
any shape which is the highest concept of tawhid.

Not only this he also said that in Qur’an Allah has said that he has
sent His prophets to all the nations and so how can he forget India.
He must have sent prophets to India also and may be Ram and Krishna,
highly revered religious personalities might have been prophets of
Allah. Other sufi saints also have opined that Allah must have sent
his prophets to Hindustan as Muslims believe Allah has sent in all one
lakh and twenty four thousand prophets and Qur’an has not given all
the names any way.

Buddha was also accepted prophet of God by many Muslim scholars and a
book on him Buzasaf (translated into Arabic and Persian) was quite a
popular reading in Muslim houses until my childhood. Iqbal also
describes Ram as Imam-e-Hind i.e. Imam of India, highest tribute any
Muslim could pay to Ram. And any way even if some people consider
Hindu as kafirs Qur’an permits Muslims to peacefully coexist with
kafirs (see chapter 109).

It permits war against only those kafirs who fight and persecute
Muslims, not all kafirs. It is great misunderstanding created by
either some extremists among Muslims or among non-Muslims that Muslims
cannot coexist peacefully with kafirs. In fact ulama have divided
kafirs into two categories harbi and ghayr -harbi kafirs i.e. war
monger and non war monger kafirs. As for non-war mongering kafirs it
is duty of Muslims to coexist with them.

It was heartening that Jami’at al-Ulama-i-Hind immediately replied to
Shri Singhal’s letter and declared that India has always been Darul
Aman except for a short period of British rule. They also issued
clarification about kafirs. It is also must be noted that The Deobandi
Ulama never supported Jinnah’s two nation theory and strongly refuted
it and supported the concept of united nationalism. Not only this
Maulana Husain Ahmad Madani, the then President of Jami’at wrote a
book Muttahida Qaumiyyat Aur Islam.i.e. United nationalism and Islam.
All Muslims in India since partition have stood by the concept of
united and secular nationalism. Even partition was supported by a
small minority of Muslims, not more than 5 per cent.

It is unfortunately the Sangh Parivar which still talks of Hindu
Rashtra and wants Indian Constitution to be amended and its secular
character removed in favour of Hindu Rashtra. In fact all secular
citizens of India – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis and
Sikhs should write to Mr. Singhal demanding that he refute the concept
of Hindu Rashtra and come clean on this.

They can also demand from Mr. Singhal that he guarantee all Muslims
and Christians safe and secure life as it is members of his parivar
who kill members of minority communities. Two thousand Muslims in
Gujarat and more than 40 Christians in Orissa were brutally done to
death. And this is just two riots. Hundreds of such riots have taken
place in post-independence India and Muslims hardly feel secure and
now Christians have also joined their ranks.

Also, in secular democracy like India every one has right to live
unconditionally. Perhaps Shri Singhal has never believed in secular
democratic culture and hence he wants to lay down conditions for
minorities to live in India. Entire Sangh Parivar has been doing this
and is becoming of late shriller in this respect. No one can stipulate
conditions for anyone to live in secular democratic India except that
everyone will abide by the law of the land and if they violate the law
they will be punished in keeping with the law of the land. Even a
lawbreaker cannot be deprived of his citizenship, only can be
punished.

India has always been plural and diverse and pluralism and diversity
has been great strength of India. Indian people have been most
tolerant except handful of extremists in modern times. It is the
British rulers who divided us and created, for the first time, a
political category called communalism. We had never known this
phenomenon before. Now a section of Indian politicians is exploiting
this category for their own political survival.

Let me once again reiterate for Shri Singhal that Muslims and other
minorities have always considered India as Darul Aman and all of them
have strong sense of loyalty to this great country which is their only
homeland. They would never dither from this position. And this author
strongly believes that all human beings, whatever their religious
beliefs or cultural values, should coexist in peace and harmony. Our
politics should never be based on religion, caste or language. It
should be based only on our common problems. Unfortunately our
politicians are using all these categories (religion, caste and
language) for their petty political interests and destroying our
unity. People of India should categorically reject such politics.
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Centre for Study of Society and Secularism
Mumbai.
E-mail: cs...@mtnl.net.in

Photo: Sikkim, India

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