Yeddyurappa loses cool at Dalit protesters in BJP rally

By IANS, Davangere (Karnataka): Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa lost his cool on seeing a group of Dalit Sangarsh Samiti protesters at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally here Monday and lashed out at senior police officers in public for failing to prevent the protest. As the protesters tried to shout slogans when he was about to address the rally, an incensed Yeddyurappa summoned Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil to the stage and shouted at him.

Dalit man lynched in Ghaziabad by seven youths

By IANS, Ghaziabad : A Dalit man was allegedly lynched by seven higher caste youths over a minor altercation in Ghaziabad, neighbouring the national capital, police said Monday. The incident occurred Sunday night in Chitaura locality of this city. According to police, the man, Surendra, 45, went to Hapur to buy a cow and was returning to his home in Noorpur with the purchase alongwith his wife and daughter when he was accosted by seven youths near Chitaura locality on the Upper Ganges canal.

Dalit man murdered in Haryana

By IANS, Jind (Haryana): A 31-year-old Dalit man, a resident of a village in this Haryana district, was found murdered under mysterious circumstances in adjacent Sonepat district Sunday, police said. Police identified the deceased as Vijender Singh. His body was recovered from the fields in Sonepat. He worked as a farm worker in the fields of a Jind resident belonging the Jat community.

Parents protest ‘lower caste’ women cooking food in schools

By Adnan Alavi, The outrage among parents over Dalit or Lower Caste [sic] women cooking food for their children in schools has once again demonstrated the casteist face of our society. 'Upper caste' families are insistent that they would not send the kids to school if the children are served food cooked by Dalit women. In several places, villagers have turned violent and the cooks had to be sent away.

Three of Dalit family killed in Uttar Pradesh

By IANS, Lucknow : Three members of a Dalit family were killed in Uttar Pradesh's Jyotiba Phule Nagar Tuesday, police said. Mukhram, 55, his wife Gyanwati, 50, and their son Rahul, 22, were found murdered inside their house in Dhanaura area, about 300 km from here. "Prima facie it appears the three died of injuries inflicted by a sharp-edged weapon," police inspector Sanjay Tiwari told reporters in Jyotiba Phule Nagar. "We are yet to ascertain the exact reason behind the killings. Investigations are on to nab those involved in the incident," he said.

Muslim leadership has always ignored Dalit Muslims: Dalit Muslim leaders

By, Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: “We don’t want to criticize anybody but the fact of the matter is that, the entire Muslim leadership has always ignored Dalit Muslims. Be it Jamiat Ulema Hind, Milli Council or any other organization, their attitude towards Dalit Muslims can only be described as indifferent,” complained a group of Dalit Muslim leaders.

Multi-crore SC scholarships racket unearthed in Uttar Pradesh

By Sharat Pradhan, IANS, Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has unearthed a multi-crore racket in disbursement of scholarships to Scheduled Caste students in educational institutions in the state. The racket involves hundreds of engineering, medical, dental and management colleges that have mushroomed over the past few years in several parts of the state.

Tribal women in Jhargram protest against Maoist-led group

By IANS, Kolkata: Coming out in protest for the first time, thousands of tribal women in Maoist-affected Jhargram in West Bengal's West Midnapore district Friday held a demonstration against a rebel-led tribal group for forcing them to join their agitations. The women also formed a committee to resist the alleged torture of them by members of the Peoples' Committee Against Police Atrocities' (PCAPA).

SC status demanded by Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims

Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: Thousands of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims organized a protest rally and a dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 21st July, 2010 and demanded Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims. Several representatives from Dalit groups and politicians including Sam Paul, National Secretary Public Affair of All India Christian Council, Ali Anwar, an MP and president of All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz and Hafiz Ahmad Hawari, president All India Jamiatul Hawwarin, among others addressed the peaceful rally.

‘Dalit terrorism’: DHRM demands CBI probe into Hindutva-police conspiracy

By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent, Thiruvananthapuram: The CBI should investigate the Hindutva-police conspiracy behind the cruel Dalit hunt of the Kerala police in the name of Dalit terrorism, demands a complaint submitted by the Dalit leader Selvaraj to Home Minister P Chidambaram.

Dalits sore over Khairlanji massacre verdict

By IANS, Nagpur : Dalit leaders have reacted sharply to the Bombay High Court's decision Wednesday to reduce the punishment awarded to six convicts in the massacre of a Dalit family in Khairlanji in 2006, saying it was a failure on the part of the government. Prakash Ambedkar, president of the Bahujan Maha Sangh, said that the court had not even considered the cruelty committed against the victims. "We will request the Maharashtra government to file an appeal in the Supreme Court at the earliest," he said.

Death sentences commuted for six in Khairlanji massacre case

By IANS, Nagpur : The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court Wednesday commuted the death sentences of six people accused in the massacre of a Dalit family in Khairlanji in 2006 and gave them life imprisonment of 25 years each. The much awaited verdict was given by a division bench comprising Justices A.P. Lawande and R.C. Chauhan that turned down a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the lower court's ruling giving life to two of the eight accused while sentencing to death six people.

Apex court okays Tamil Nadu quota law

By IANS, New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday granted protection to Tamil Nadu's quota law which provides 69 percent reservation in educational institutions and jobs to scheduled castes and tribes and other backward classes, but advised the state government to revisit the issue. The apex court bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and Justices K.S. Radhakrishna Rao and Swatanter Kumar directed the state backward classes commission to revisit the reservation issue in the light of the Mandal case judgement dealing with quotas.

SC status to dalit Muslims might wait for some time: petitioners

By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net, New Delhi: UPA government has done it again. It was the 8th extension, which the Central government sought for the hearing of a PIL lodged in Supreme Court, for inclusion of Dalit Muslims in Scheduled Caste category, by Akhil Maharastra Khatik Samaj (AMKS).

Students refuse food cooked by Dalits, principal suspended

By IANS, Lucknow : The principal of a government-run school in Uttar Pradesh's Ramabai Nagar district was suspended for inaction and negligence after students refused to eat the midday meal prepared by two Dalit cooks, officials said Friday. A probe has also been initiated against Jasapur Primary School principal Maan Singh and district education officials, including senior official Anil Rawat, as they knew that several upper-caste students of the school were not eating the meal prepared by the Dalit women.

Madhya Pradesh to get more tribal schools

By IANS, New Delhi: The central government has approved six new residential schools for tribals in Madhya Pradesh, officials said Thursday. According to officials from the tribal affairs ministry, the allocation for starting the Eklavya Adarsh Awasiya schools has been increased to Rs.12 crore from Rs.2.5 crore. Madhya Pradesh has the largest tribal population in India. The population of Scheduled Tribes in the state is 154.03 lakh -- 23.27 percent of the state's total population of 661.81 lakh. The allocation per student has also been raised.

Tribal affairs ministry promises more funds for northeast

By IANS, New Delhi: More funds and development schemes for the northeastern states were promised as Tribal Affairs Minister Kanti Lal Bhuria wrapped up his three-day visit to the region Wednesday. The minister, summing up his visit said that norms for opening residential schools for tribal children will be relaxed in the northeastern states.

TNTJ resolution for Muslim reservation

By TCN News The resolutions adopted at the Conference on The Rights of the Oppressed. The Conference on the Rights of the Oppressed organized by Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamaath on July, the 4th , 2010 at the Island Grounds, Chennai unanimously adopted the following resolutions.

CGNet Swara: Voice of the unheard

By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net Between Arundhati Roy’s walk with the comrades and corporations-backed government war machine mowing down the jungles in Chattisgarh, there are millions of tribals whose voices remain unheard. Not that they cannot speak but there is a barrier to access because of language and remote areas. Knight International Journalism fellow Shubhranshu Choudhary intends to change that by using technology as a platform to make news & information easily accessible to all.

Disabled not at par with SC/ST in Delhi University’s MBBS course: court

By IANS, New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by a physically handicapped candidate seeking relaxation in the eligibility criteria for admission to Delhi University's medical course. "The physically disabled persons should be extended all the rights, privileges and benefits under the said act (Indian Medical Council Act, 1956) so as to see they are not discriminated against and that they come within the social stream mainstream," said a division bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Veena Birbal.

DHRM: Beginning of a new political culture, says BRP Bhasker

By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent, Thiruvananthapuram: The Dalit Human Rights Movement is the beginning of a new political culture in Kerala, said famous journalist BRP Bhasker. He was inaugurating the meeting organized in front of the state Secretariat welcoming the party’s chairman Selvaraj who was released from prison.

DHRM for a new Dalit movement in Kerala

By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent Thiruvananthapuram: The Dalit Human Rights Movement (DHRM) has decided to form a new Dalit movement by the time of the coming Assembly elections, reports say. The DHRM will also reportedly vote against the CPI (M) in the coming panchayat elections.

Dalits ignored, corruption on rise under Yeddyurappa: BJP MP

By IANS, Bangalore : A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, Ramesh Jigajinagi, Tuesday alleged that Dalits were being neglected and corruption was on the rise under the party's first Chief Minister in Karnataka B.S. Yeddyurappa. Jigajinagi's attack on Yeddyurappa comes three days ahead of a 'Sadhana Samavesha' (convention on achievements) here to celebrate the party's two years in office. A fourth-term member of the Lok Sabha, Jigajinagi said Dalits hadn't got proper representation in the Yeddyurappa ministry.

Construct memorial for Ayyankali: SDPI to Kerala Govt

By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent, Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government should be ready to construct a memorial for the noted Dalit leader Ayyankali, said Abdul Majeed Faisy, state general secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India. He was delivering the chief address at the Ayyankali memorial conference organized by the party in Thiruvananthapuram. Ayyankali was a famous Dalit leader and reformist who fought for Dalit rights in the state.

Tension in Haryana’s Hisar after Dalit-Jat spat

By IANS, Hisar : Tension prevailed in the Surya Nagar area of this Haryana district Tuesday after stray incidents of violence following a dispute between the members of the Dalit and Jat communities, police said. "Yesterday (Monday) night a buffalo, belonging to a member of Dalit community, collided with a vehicle that was owned by a Jat youth. At that time there were some heated arguments but the situation was somehow controlled," a police official said.

Mayawati to give land holdings to poor dalits

By IANS, Lucknow : After prolonged upper caste baiting, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati is back to focussing on her core support base of dalits. She has begun the exercise by issuing directives to allot 'pattas' (small land holdings) to landless and homeless dalits in the vast rural expanse of the state. In a circular issued by the chief minister's office Friday, Mayawati directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to undertake a special drive for allotment of 'pattas' to "eligible persons", which primarily include landless dalits.

Congress accuses Modi of anti-Dalit agenda

By IANS, Gandhinagar : The Congress party's Gujarat unit Monday accused Chief Minister Narendra Modi of pursuing an anti-Dalit agenda and held him responsible for the demolition of over 200 of their houses by the Ahmedabad civic agency, rendering over 1,000 people homeless. The party threatened an agitation if the repression is not stopped forthwith.

Dailt teenagers accused of theft tied with ropes, dragged

By IANS, Lucknow : Two Dalit teenagers were assaulted, tied with ropes and then dragged for several meters by a group of villagers in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district on charges of stealing a mobile phone kept in a vehicle, police said Monday. Ajai Nat (15) and Ravishankar Raidas (14), residents of Lachminia village, some 80 km from Lucknow, were accused of stealing a mobile phone Sunday evening from the truck of Balbir Singh, who has a transport business in the village.

Dalit riot victims attack Hisar district official in Delhi

By IANS, New Delhi : A protest by Dalit (Balmiki) families who fled from Mirchpur village in Haryana's Hisar district turned ugly as the district's Deputy Commissioner Yudhvir Singh was attacked and manhandled by angry protesters here Wednesday. "The deputy commissioner of Hisar district came to meet the protesters to convey the instructions given to him by the Supreme Court. He was attacked by the angry families as they did not want to move back," an eyewitness said at Mandir Marg where the Mirchpur families have taken refuge for the past two weeks.

Haryana violence: Apex court orders Dalits’ protection

By IANS, New Delhi : The Supreme Court Wednesday said courts cannot solve problems linked to social prejudices and conflicts, and directed Haryana to provide protection to the victims of caste violence in Mirchpur village in Hisar district. The apex court's vacation bench of Justice G.S. Singhvi and Justice C.K. Prasad said the failure to provide protection would be viewed seriously.

Give up ‘hypocrisy’ of love for Dalits, BJP tells Rahul

By IANS, New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to stop his "hypocrisy of love for Dalits" and instead ensure rehabilitation of the 150 families of the community forced out of their homes by upper castes in Haryana. The party also slammed the state Congress government for its failure.

Congress alleges victimisation of Dalits in Gujarat

By IANS, Gandhinagar : Gujarat Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil Monday charged Chief Minister Narendra Modi of victimising Dalits who oppose his policies against the interest of the socially marginalised people. "Cases are being filed against Gujarat Dalit leaders at the instance of the chief minister," said Gohil, who is also the leader of opposition in the state assembly. He added that the irresponsible policies of the government have resulted in injustice to Dalits.

Apex court notice to Haryana over Dalit arson attack

By IANS, New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday issued notice to the Haryana government on the plight of 150 Dalit families who were driven out of their village in Hisar district after an arson attack on their homes last month. A 70-year-old man and his 18-year-old physically challenged daughter were killed and at least 18 houses were damaged April 21 in an arson attack allegedly by members of the Jat community on Dalit families in Mirchpur village in Hisar, some 300 km from state capital Chandigarh.

Dalit killed for demanding wages

By IANS, Bhopal : A Dalit in a Madhya Pradesh village only wanted payment of wages due to him -- but what he got was death. Mason Ramesh Jatav was allegedly killed after he demanded Rs.4,000 for the work he had done for farmer Shriram Lodhi, police Sunday said. Thirty-eight-year-old Jatav was killed in Shivpuri district Friday night when he had gone to Shriram's house with his wife to demand back-wages. According to police, Shriram and his relative Gabdu Lodhi took the couple to a nearby field and killed Jatav, a resident of Sirsona village, about 350 km from here.

Dalit woman burnt alive in Madhya Pradesh

By IANS, Bhopal : A Dalit woman, set on fire by two people in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, died at a hospital in Gwalior Thursday, police said. The woman, Krantibai, was living with Raghuveer Gurjar in Padora village in the district after leaving her husband a few years ago. "Raghuveer Wednesday demanded some money from her for liquor. When Krantibai refused, he and his brother doused her with kerosene and set her on fire," Shivpuri Superintendent of Police Rajendra Prasad said.

SIO to distribute school kits to 25,000 students

By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent Kozhikode: The Students Islamic Organisation will distribute school kits to about 25,000 poor students of Adivasi families, coastal areas, etc in the beginning of the academic year, state office-bearers said in a press conference. Education Minister MA Baby inaugurated the service-oriented programmes prior to the SIO state conference by receiving the organisation’s contribution to the Kerala Higher Education Scholarship Fund.

Dalit posts being given to general category, says Buta Singh

By IANS, Bhopal : National Commission for the Scheduled Castes (NCSC) chairman Buta Singh Sunday said that Dalits were being denied their fundamental right in Madhya Pradesh and that the government was recruiting general category candidates to fill the backlog of vacancies reserved for these castes. Singh, who was on the fact-finding mission to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's native village in Sehore district, 100 km from here, after media reports that Dalits were not allowed entry into the three temples there, was accompanied by NCSC member from Madhya Pradesh Mahendra Boudh.

Medha Patkar opposes slum demolition

By IANS, Mumbai : Social activist Medha Patkar Friday tried to stop the razing of hutments at Anna Bhau Sathe Nagar here, demanding that the slum dwellers be first provided alternative accommodation. Patkar and her supporters dubbed the demolition as anti-Dalit and vowed to stop it. "They (Dalits) are the backbone of this city. Their rights should not be taken away just because they are poor," she said. She said about 10,000 residents of the area in Mumbai's northeast suburb had nowhere to go.

Dalits will be protected against atrocities: Wasnik

By IANS, Chandigarh : Rights of Dalits will be protected and strict laws will be implemented to prevent atrocities against them like the arson attack on Dalit homes in Haryana, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik said here Wednesday. "I have travelled to various states of the country to see whether there is any discrimination with these sections of society. We will strictly implement the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 at all places," Wasnik told reporters.

Three get death, 20 sentenced to life in Bathani Tola massacre

By IANS, Patna : A Bihar court Wednesday sentenced to death three men and awarded life imprisonment to 20 others in the Bathani Tola massacre case in which 21 Dalits and poor Muslims were killed by members of the upper caste Ranvir Sena in 1996. The sentence was pronounced by Additional District and Sessions Judge of Ara Civil Court Ajay Kumar Srivastava amid high security. The three sentenced to death are Ajay Singh, Manoj Singh and Narendra Singh. The judge convicted 23 accused and acquitted 30 men due to lack of evidence May 5, a court official said.

With Gandhi as guide, Gates goes to a Dalit village

By IANS, Kande Rao ka Purwa (Uttar Pradesh), May 11 (IANS) After showing Bill Gates a glimpse of the development he had initiated in the social and the health sectors in the Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies represented by him and his mother and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi took the Microsoft chief to experience life in a Dalit village in Pratapgarh district Tuesday evening.

OBC quota in panchayats, civic agencies valid: Apex court

By IANS, New Delhi: The Supreme Court Tuesday upheld the validity of the constitutional provision for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) reservation in panchayats and municipal agencies, including the post of a chairperson. The chairperson's post could not be equated with solitary posts in the context of public employment, the court said. However, the court said: "The upper ceiling of 50 percent vertical reservations in favour of Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and OBCs should not be breached in the context of local self-government."

Gandhi effect: Full on help for Haryana’s Dalit victims

By Jaideep Sarin and Alkesh Sharma, IANS, Hisar (Haryana) : Call it the effect of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's visit or a reported reprimand from party president Sonia Gandhi to the Haryana government, official help is suddenly pouring in for Dalit victims of violence in Mirchpur village. The Congress government in Haryana has come up with jobs, financial help running into lakhs of rupees, accommodation, renovation of houses and even a permanent police post for victims of last month's arson attack on Dalit families in Mirchpur, which falls in this district.

Karunanidhi downplaying 2G scam by using Dalit card: Jayalalithaa

By IANS, Chennai : AIADMK general secretary J. Jayalalithaa Thursday charged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi with attempting to trivialise the 2G spectrum scam. In a statement here, she said: "In what he believes is smart talk, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M. Karunanidhi has shamelessly played the Dalit card in le affaire A. Raja." "Talking to the media in Delhi, he claimed that 'the sack Raja campaign' had reached a crescendo in parliament because the telecom minister was a Dalit!"

Dalit woman alleges dowry harassment, gangrape

By IANS, Panchkula (Haryana): Haryana police Wednesday ordered a probe into allegations of dowry harassment and gangrape made by a Dalit woman against her Jat husband and his accomplices, officials said. According to police, Sheena (name changed) and her family members met Haryana Director General of Police (Administration) Swaranjit Singh at the police headquarters here Tuesday and submitted a written complaint against her husband Sukhwinder Singh and others.

Raja targeted because he is Dalit: Karunanidhi

By IANS, New Delhi: DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday denied the allegations against Communications and IT Minister A. Raja over the 2G spectrum allocation saying he was being targeted because he was a Dalit. "Dominant forces are creating a big issue because Raja is a Dalit," Karunanidhi said. He was speaking to reporters after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his 7, Race Course Road, residence.

Dalits still fear returning home after arson attack

By IANS, Hisar (Haryana) : Nearly 20 terrorised families are still camping outside Haryana's Mirchpur village after last month's arson attack on Dalit houses, in which two people were burnt alive. They refuse to return home despite assurances of financial help and security from the state government.

Rahul visits Haryana village hit by anti-Dalit violence

By IANS, Hisar (Haryana): Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Thursday paid a surprise visit to Mirchpur village in this Haryana district which was rocked by an arson attack on Dalit houses last week, in which two people were burnt alive. Accompanied by senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan, Rahul Gandhi reached Mirchpur village in an Innova car that was escorted by two other vehicles at around 12.30 p.m.

Congress attacks Modi government

By IANS, Gandhinagar: Senior Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil Monday criticised the Gujarat government for its failure to harness the waters of the river Narmada to tackle the water scarcity facing the state. Gohil, Leader of Opposition, said the state was reeling under acute water scarcity while the irony of the situation was that huge amount of the Narmada river water was flowing into the sea due to the "inability of the government to harness it".

Haryana village appeals to Dalit families to return home

By IANS, Hisar (Haryana): Residents of a Haryana village Monday made an appeal to Dalit families, who had fled after clashes and arson attack, to return home. Nearly 20 families of Valmiki community in Mirchpur village fled after an arson attack April 21. At least 15 houses were damaged and a 70-year-old Dalit man and his 18-year-old physically challenged daughter were burnt alive.

Tension in Haryana village as arson victims’ bodies cremated

By IANS, Hisar (Haryana) : Two days after they were killed in an arson attack allegedly by members of a community, the last rites of an elderly Dalit man and his 18-year-old physically challenged daughter were conducted here Friday amidst tight security in the presence of senior police and local officials. Tara Chand, 70, and his daughter Suman were burnt alive in a blaze Wednesday after their house was torched by members of the dominant community in Mirchpur village in this district.

Houses set on fire; physically-challenged girl dead

By IANS, Hisar: An 18-year-old physically challenged Dalit girl was burnt alive after she was trapped in her house which was set on fire by members of a dominant community in Haryana's Hisar district Wednesday. "Some miscreants set some houses in Mirchpur village on fire. A girl, Suman, who could not run out of the house, died of burn injuries. Her father, 70-year-old Tara Chand, is admitted in hospital with 90 per cent burns," O.P. Sheron, deputy commissioner of Hisar, told reporters, here.

For Dalit liberation, Dalit-Muslim unity must: Dalit leader

By TCN Staff Reporter, New Delhi: “Dalits are victims of both Hindu atrocities and Hindutva, and for the liberation of Dalits, Dalit-Muslim unity is must,” said Dalit leader and President of Ambeker Samaj Party, Bhai Tej Singh. He was speaking at a function for release of the book “End Of Casteism”here in on Sunday. The book is written by T M Mani, a well-known Dalit leader from Tamilnadu who waged a long war against casteism and caste atrocities. The book is documentation of his own struggle, sufferings and achievements.

Dalit leader accepts Islam, pens a book

By The Milli Gazette, New Delhi: After 52 years of struggle, a well known dalit leader in Tamil Nadu, T. M. Mani, accepted Islam. The English version of his book "End of Casteism" will be released in New Delhi on Sunday, 18 April 2010. Mr. T.M. Mani waged a long war against casteism and caste atrocities. He fought ferociously for 52 years and at the end, accepted Islam. His struggle's sufferings and achievements are detailed in this book. Venue of the book release will be Ghalib Academy, Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi and time: 10.30 am-2 pm

12-year-old Dalit killed for stealing wheat

By IANS, Lucknow : A 12-year-old Dalit boy was allegedly beaten to death by a group of villagers in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district for stealing wheat from the fields, police said Friday. Three men have been booked for killing the Dalit boy, police said. Kamlesh Kumar, a resident of Kashipur village in Hardoi, about 110 km from Lucknow, was Thursday repeatedly assaulted with wooden sticks and iron rods, following which he died in the fields. According to police, Kumar was initially spotted hiding in the wheat fields of Neeraj Singh.

Rahul challenges Mayawati in her Dalit bastion

By IANS, Ambedkar Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) :Throwing a challenge to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi Wednesday accused her of neglecting the welfare of the poor she claimed to represent. The son of Congress president Sonia Gandhi also asserted that he was confident of bringing the country's oldest political party to power in the state.

Dalit memorials will be set up ‘come what may’: Mayawati

By IANS, Lucknow : Thumbing a nose at political opponents and others, a defiant Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati said she would "not buckle under pressure" and continue to set up parks and memorials to commemorate Dalit icons. "We have been constructing parks and memorials in the names of important Dalit and OBC (Other Backward Classes) personalities to give due respect to them," Mayawati told a gathering on Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar's birth anniversary.

Over a lakh Ambedkar followers expected in Mhow April 14

By IANS, Bhopal: Over one lakh followers of Bhimrao Ambedkar are expected to gather at his birth place at Mhow near Indore on the occasion of his 119th birth anniversary April 14 - celebrated as 'Ambedkar Mahakumbh' for the past two years, officials said Tuesday. The Madhya Pradesh government has made elaborate arrangements for the occasion.

More autonomy assured for northeast tribals’ councils

By IANS, Agartala: The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government is keen to give more autonomy to the autonomous district councils in northeast India for the development of the tribals, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V. Narayanasamy said Tuesday. "Congress governments, both at the centre and states, are always sincere for the development of tribals and to grant more autonomy to the backward tribals," he told reporters here.

Government gets 3 weeks to explain why no OBC census

By IANS, New Delhi: The central government Monday assured the Supreme Court it would respond within three weeks to a public interest lawsuit that seeks a separate headcount of people belonging to backward classes. The fresh lawsuit for enumeration of people of other backward classes (OBC) came up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice Deepak Verma. Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam pleaded before the court that it should wait for three weeks for the government reply before issuing a notice.

Demand for Forward Commission for upper castes in Bihar

By IANS, Patna : An upper castes panel in Bihar wants a Forward Commission on the lines of Backward and Mahadalit commission to study the socio-economic condition of the upper castes. "We will submit a memorandum to the state government soon, seeking formation of a Forward Commission (Savarna Ayog) to study the socio-economic condition of the upper castes, particularly Brahmins," J.N. Trivedi, a spokesman of the Brahmin Samaj Rajnitik Chetna Samiti of Bihar told IANS here.

13 years on, families hope for justice in Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre

By IANS, Patna : Thirteen years after the Laxmanpur-Bathe massacre in which 58 Dalits were killed by upper caste men, families of the victims are hoping that justice will finally triumph with a Bihar court Wednesday slated to pronounce its verdict on the case. "We are at last hoping for justice," Balram Paswan, a relative of one of the victim's who was killed, said shortly before the Patna court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Vijay Prakash Mishra pronounces his verdict.

Agra gears up for biggest Dalit empowerment show

By IANS, Agra: Agra is gearing up for the annual three-day Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations starting April 14 that are seen as a demonstration of Dalit empowerment over the past decades. Each year, a Bheem Nagri - the venue of the celebrations - comes up in a different area, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Arvind Pushkar told IANS. "The main focus is on the Bheem Manch that has a new theme each year. Last year, it was the Parliament House. This year, the theme is Buddhist culture and trends," Pushkar added.

Film Review: From Hindu to Hindutva

By Ram Puniyani, Kandhmal violence has been the most ghastly communal violence in the Adivasi areas in India. Close to two years after the violence the tragedy of the area continues, the victims of violence, the rehabilitation, the justice to victims, most of these are no where close to what they should be.

And now, a Mayawati temple

By IANS, Lucknow : If all goes well, Uttar Pradesh will soon get a temple dedicated to Chief Minister and Dalit icon Mayawati, whose statues already dot the sprawling state. The temple is proposed to be erected in the poverty-stricken Mahoba district in Bundelkhand, economically the most backward region in Uttar Pradesh. It will come up in Natpura village, about 300 km from here. "Of course, we are planning to install her idol in the temple that will come up on my private land," Kanaihya Lal, a Mahoba-based lawyer, told IANS over telephone.

National Commission for Minorities: A year of inaction

By Kashif-ul-Huda, TwoCircles.net Minorities Commission as a non-statutory body was set up in 1978. In the days following Babri Masjid demolition it was made a statutory body and in 1993 it came to be called National Commission for Minorities (NCM). Its main object is to safeguard the interest of minorities but its power is even less than the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, and National Human Rights Commission. Lacking any effective tool it is merely a spectator that can make some noise but not be part of the game.

Rights group condemns detention of activists

By IANS, Gandhinagar: The Gujarat unit of the People's Union for Civil liberties and the Adivasi Mahasabha of the state have strongly condemned the illegal detention of two activists on "false grounds" and demanded their release. Activists Avinash Kulkarni and Bharat Pawar, who have been working with the tribals, were detained by police. "Is it a crime to work in a democratic and peaceful way for the empowerment of tribals," Rohit Prajapati and Xavier Manjooran said Tuesday.

Road work begins in Orissa industrial hub opposed by tribals

By IANS, Bhubaneswar: Four years after 14 protesters were killed in police firing in Kalinga Nagar in Orissa's Jajpur district, the authorities Monday started construction for a common corridor road in an industrial area opposed by local tribals. About 25 platoons of police forces were deployed as the district administration started construction in Kalinga Nagar industrial area.

All Dalits should be equal before the law

By Madhu Chandra The struggle between Upper Caste and oppressed communities of India has reached its crucial juncture. The presidential reservation facilities preserved in Indian Constitution is most precious gift given to Indian oppressed class community. This legal framework to protect and preserve the underprivileged communities of India has been under attack again and again by high caste minority ruler of the country.

Congress protests tribals’ victimisation in Gujarat

By IANS, Gandhinagar: The opposition Congress staged a walk-out from the Gujarat assembly Thursday, protesting remarks from the treasury benches that many of the tribals were Maoists. The walk-out came at the end of a daylong debate on the budgetary demands for the forest and tribal welfare department when Forest Minister Mangubhai Patel was giving his reply.

Meira Kumar to attend IPU meet in Bangkok

By IANS, New Delhi: A high-level Indian parliamentary delegation led by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will leave for Bangkok Friday to attend 122nd assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to be held March 27-April 1. "The assembly will hold a general debate on the political, economic and social situation in the world with reference to the overall theme of 'Parliament at the heart of political reconciliation and good governance'," said a release issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat Thursday.

A temple where upper castes bow to Dalits

By Asit Srivastava, IANS, Lucknow : Stories of socially marginalised people not being allowed into places of worship are common in India. In such a scenario, a Dalit family presiding over an Uttar Pradesh temple for ages is nothing short of exemplary. It's only Dalits who have been priests of the Kali Mata temple, dedicated to goddess Durga, in Lakhna town in Etawah, some 300 km from Lucknow, ever since the shrine came up around 200 years ago.

Brinda Karat demands probe in tribal girls’ deaths in Andhra Pradesh

By IANS, New Delhi: Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Brinda Karat Monday asked Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to order a probe into the deaths of four tribal girls given a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination by an NGO in Andhra Pradesh. In a letter to Azad, Karat said a programme of HPV vaccination was launched in several districts of Andhra Pradesh, exclusively among young, mainly tribal girls from the ages of 10-14 years by an NGO.

Life term for student leader’s killer who shot witness’ father

By IANS, New Delhi: A Delhi court Saturday sentenced a man, already convicted for gunning down a students union leader of a Delhi University college in 1999, to rigorous imprisonment for life for also killing the father of a witness who had informed the police. Jitender alias Kalla was served with a second punishment days after he was awarded life sentence by the court for murdering Anil Bhadana, the then Satyawati College Students Union president.

Will torch myself if not given a home, says poor Dalit

By IANS, Patna: Many rural poor are upset over alleged corruption in getting houses under a central government scheme and a 30-year-old Dalit woman has threatened to set herself on fire if she does not get a home due to her. Ramvati Devi, a resident of Begusarai district, has threatened to set herself on fire April 1 if she is not provided a house under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) before that. She says her name was in the 2008 waiting list of the scheme. "I will set myself on fire to protest injustice. I am a victim of injustice and corruption in the scheme.

Mayawati: Will her garland turn into noose?

By Amulya Ganguli, IANS, The apparently bizarre nature of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati's politics can be understood by remembering that she is driven by an intense desire to make a mark in politics and, moreover, to do so in a manner which she believes will impress the core group of her supporters, the Dalits. As a newcomer in politics and that too from a depressed community, she has had to build her career from scratch, as it were, without the help of an established party or an influential social network. Hence her unconventional ways.

Ex-IAS Anees Ansari elected chairman of Momin Conference

By Faisal Fareed, TwoCircles.net Lucknow: The plight of silk weavers in Varanasi, brass workers in Moradabad and bangle artisans in Ferozabad will be raised by retired IAS officer Anees Ansari. The move is seen as the first step towards joining active politics like many of his brethren. Ansari was in news when he was suspended from the post of Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) of the state in 2008 after his fashion designer wife Asma Hussain hosted a fashion show at their official residence.

In Kerala, Dalit students facing difficulties to get educated

By Aaliya Rushdi, TwoCircles.net, Nilambur (Kerala): The Dalit Students of the area, who were sent to schools far away in the district, are returning back in groups to their homes. The parents, who are ignorant of the importance of education have not got any complaint on this matter.

Shootout at ISRO facility, hunt on for two men

By IANS, Bangalore: Security was stepped up around the sensitive Deep Space Network (DSN) facility of India's space agency ISRO near here after a shootout early Tuesday between two unidentified men and security guards. Police said hunt was on for the men and maintained it was not a terror attack. The incident occurred at Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) complex in Byalalu, 40 km from here. "There is no injury or damage," ISRO director S. Satish told IANS.

Meo Muslims wants ST status like Mina

By TCN Staff Reporter, New Delhi: Smoking Huqqa and eating steaming hot Kichadi, sitting on their traditional chairs, hundreds of old men and youth of Muslim Meo community of Haryana and Rajasthan made their unique presence at Jantar Mantar. They were rallying to demand ST status to the Community like Mina, with a difference style.

Logic of women’s reservation

By M. Burhanuddin Qasmi It is an unfortunate fact that in a democracy nothing is achievable without united agitations. This time again the Muslim social and political leadership in India is failing to unite strongly against a very genuine demand and clear hypocrisy against them in guise of women empowerment.

For Muslim reservation, PFI marched to the Parliament

By TCN staff reporter, New Delhi: Demanding 10% reservation to all Muslims in India in Central Government services and educational institutions in the light of Justice Ranganath Misra Commission report thousands of Popular Front of India (PFI)’s activists marched to the parliament. Front’s chairman E. M. Abdul Rahiman while inaugurating the Public meeting after march to parliament said, “This march to the Indian Parliament is part of a two months long nationwide campaign for Muslim Reservation by Popular Front of India”

A third of India live in a state of famine: Dr. Binayak Sen

By TCN News Aligarh: Dr. Binayak Sen, renowned human rights worker and Chhattisgarh based public health professional, delivered the IG Khan Memorial lecture in Kennedy Auditorium on Sunday to a rapt audience of students and faculty members. Citing data and facts from his work on tribal and poor workers in Chhatisgarh, Dr. Sen presented the grim reality of the state of the nation's dispossessed. He pointed out that almost 33 percent of the country's population lived in a state of famine that translates to a third of the population of one­ sixth of humanity living in India.

Scrap Religious discrimination in Reservation: 36 communities from 19 states

By TCN Staff Reporter, New Delhi: Demanding to scrap the religious discrimination in reservation for Scheduled Castes and include Muslims and Christian Dalits in SC list, All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz along with a number of Dalit groups (both Muslims and Christian) organized a mass rally at Jantar Mantar today. Implementation of Sachchar Committee and Mishra Commission’s were also demanded. Members of 36 backward communities from 19 states took part in the rally.

Four more missing tribals traced, apex court told

By IANS, New Delhi: The Chhattisgarh government told the Supreme Court Tuesday that it has traced four more of the 12 tribals who were missing. The apex court was moved for a probe into the alleged killings of 10 villagers by security forces in the state's Dantewada district during anti-Maoist operations.

Rs.1.7 cr fine slapped for commercial use of property

By IANS, New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Monday directed a woman to pay Rs.1.7 crore for using for commercial purposes a residential plot alloted to her by the central government. Since the woman has died, her heirs have been asked to pay the fine. The property, situated in posh Friends Colony, was leased out to Savitri Devi for residential purposes in the year 1976 but she rented out her premises for commercial purposes over the years.

Soren rules out change in tribal land right acts

By IANS, Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren Monday said that no changes would be made in legislations governing the tribal land rights. "There is no move to make any amendments in the existing two acts formulated to protect the land right of the tribals," Soren said while replying to a query by a Congress legislator in the state assembly. Last week Soren reportedly said that amendments would be made in the Chhota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act.

Women quota bill: BSP, JD-S indicate reservations

By IANS, New Delhi: Even as Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Sunday launched fresh attacks on the women's reservation bill in its present form, two other parties -- the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) also indicated that they were not in full agreement. JD-S chief H.D. Dewe Gowda said that his party was not against reservation for women but would push for a quota for backward classes. The JD-S has two members in the Rajya Sabha, where the bill is slated to come up for discussion and vote Monday.

Tribals demand release of detained villagers in Midnapore

By IANS, Kolkata: Hundreds of tribal women Sunday staged a protest at a police station in West Bengal's West Midnapore district to demand release of 37 villagers detained during the joint forces' search for an abducted school teacher. The demonstration took place at Goaltore police station in the district. Police said the villagers were detained for interrogation as they tried to obstruct the security personnel during a search operation in the village.

Eight bodies go missing in Bihar graveyard

By IANS, Patna: Eight bodies have disappeared from a graveyard in a Bihar village in one night, scaring local residents. People of Belauri village in Purnia district, about 350 km from here, were stunned Friday when they found that eight bodies had disappeared from the Sauraghat Samsan graveyard overnight. "We found that eight graves were dug up and the bodies missing," villager Ramavatar Sada said. Sada said the graveyard was used by Dalits and other very poor people to bury their dead as they could afford costly cremations.

Dalits and Minorities demands inclusive Women Reservation

By TCN Staff Reporter, New Delhi: Just 3 days before the 100th Anniversary International Women Day, various religious Minority and Dalit groups rejected the Women Reservation Bill in its present form and urged for an inclusive one. The proposed bill is likely to be presented in Parliament for passage on March 8, 2010, which is also 100th Anniversary International Women Day. The Union Cabinet has already given its nod.

Thousands of tribals protest government neglect

By IANS, Raipur: Thousands of tribals from the interior areas of Chhattisgarh Saturday held a rally in this state capital to protest their "neglect" by the central and state governments. Tribal men and women marched through the main streets of the capital to the rally at the sports complex ground, where over a dozen tribal leaders cutting across party lines and including three ministers of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as also several Congress leaders, addressed them.

Budget casts gloom on Dalits: Udit Raj

By TCN News New Delhi: Dr. Udit Raj, National President, Indian Justice Party and All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations said that this budget has again cast gloom on Dalits. Rs. 4,500 crore have been allocated for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment which will be utilized not only for the welfare of Dalits but also for the welfare and upliftment of backwards and senior citizens etc.

Railway to raise women security force from minorities, backward classes

By TCN News, New Delhi: The Railway Budget 2010 has just short of disappointment for the minorities as Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today in her second budget did not offer any new scheme to them except the announcement to raise special women railway security force preferably from minorities, SC/ST, OBC and economically backward classes. Presenting her second budget as Railway Minister in the UPA Government, Mamata Banerjee presented a populist railway budget with no hike in passenger fares and freight tariffs besides more than 100 new trains.

Tribals appeal for separate religion code in census

By IANS, New Delhi: Tribal groups from several states across the country Wednesday held a protest here, demanding they be listed under a distinct 'religion code' in the 2011 population census. Union Minister of Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahay, who visited the protest-site, promised to take their demands to the government. Nearly 150 people of various tribal groups from states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh took part in the protest at Jantar Mantar.

Kerala Govt taking measures to allot land to all landless Dalits

By TCN News, Kochi: The Kerala High Court has asked for detail about Dalits in the state and their condition of living, acting on a complaint filed by the Harrison Company that Dalits are forcing marches towards the private lands of the company. V. Anil Kumar, Under Secretary for Dalits, has filed an affidavit showing that about 14,200 tribal Dalits of the state are inhabited, and made it clear that the government is moving forward to allot lands to these people.

Farmers protesting land acquisition thrash officials

By IANS, Bangalore: Farmers opposing acquisition of their land for a residential complex on Bangalore's outskirts Monday punched, kicked, head-butted and tore clothes of officials who went to the area to survey the land, police said. Farmers of Kodigehalli, which forms part of the proposed 'Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout', named after founder of Bangalore, Kempegowda, thrashed an executive engineer, an assistant executive engineer and their driver and broke the windshield of their vehicles, they said.

Court tells MCD to compensate families of drowned kids

By IANS, New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Thursday directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to pay compensation of Rs.750,000 each to the families of the two boys who drowned November last year after falling in a pit at a park in Shakarpur area. A division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw asked the MCD to pay compensation to the families of both children who died. It told the civic agency to pay Rs.50,000 to the mothers of Arshad, 4, and Armaan, 8, and deposit the rest in fixed deposits.

Panchayat ousts newly-weds from village in gotra row

By IANS, Hisar: In another gotra (clan) row, Khanda village panchayat (council) in this Haryana district Tuesday directed a newly-wed couple to stay away from the village periphery as they were not permitted to marry as per village customs. The panchayat observed that no boy of Khangwal gotra, who lives in Khanda village, can marry a girl of Nagar gotra. "We have taken a decision to bar the entry of this newly-wed couple in the village. Many girls of Nagar gotra already live in our village so we consider them our daughters," said panchayat chief Rati Ram Nagar here Tuesday.

Activists protest deaths at home for mentally

By IANS, New Delhi: Nearly 150 people, mostly rights activists and members of NGOs, Tuesday protested the government's apathy towards the maintenance of a home for the mentally challenged, where several deaths and human rights violations were reported in the past month. They demanded action and even offered their help to the government.

What are you doing about public toilets, court asks civic body

By IANS, New Delhi : Pulling up the city civic body over the sorry state of public toilets in the national capital, especially with the Commonwealth Games due next year, the Delhi High Court Monday sought a detailed status report on what it plans to do to improve sanitation in the city. A division bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and S.K. Mishra told the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) counsel, "We are not satisfied. The MCD should be directed to submit a detailed report in three months."

Poll panel recommends police case against GJM chief Gurung

By IANS, Kolkata : A police case was filed Monday on the Election Commission's recommendation against Gorkha Janamukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung for allegedly threatening non-Nepalese people to vote for the GJM-backed Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Darjeeling candidate Jaswant Singh on April 30. The Communist Party of India (CPI) alleged that Gurung had last month during a speech at Dajreeling Gymkhana grounds, warned non-Nepalese people including Muslims and Tibetans of serious consequences if they did not vote for Jaswant Singh.

Woman among four killed in Kashmir gun battle

By IANS, Jammu : A woman, two security personnel and a militant were killed in a gun battle in Jammu and Kashmir Sunday, police said. A group of three militants ambushed a security patrol party in the Kashtigarh forest belt of Doda district in the morning. A policeman and an army trooper were killed in the attack. A fierce encounter broke out in the forest belt following a joint search operation by the police and the army. One of the militants was gunned down but two managed to escape, the police said.

Citizens demand heritage city status for Agra

By Brij Khandelwal, IANS, Agra : Ahead of the polls, several citizens' groups have asked candidates of various political parties to support their demand for heritage city status to Agra visited by millions of tourists every year. Party candidates are being asked to clarify their stand on various issues that concern the development of this historic city.

Mumbai lynching: Lalu threatens to cancel trains

By IANS, New Delhi : Crucial allies of India's ruling coalition Wednesday condemned the lynching of a labourer from Uttar Pradesh in Mumbai, with Railways Minister Lalu Prasad of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) threatening to cancel trains in violence-hit states and the Lok Janshakti Party demanding President's rule in Maharashtra. "If this violence continues, we will have to consider that in future we might have to cancel trains in states where these incidents occur," Lalu Prasad said.

British aid worker killed in Afghanistan

By DPA, Kabul : Taliban fighters killed a British woman aid worker for "spreading Christianity," Monday as she was going to her office in the western part of Kabul, officials said. The attackers, who were riding on motorbike, fled the area after the shooting, interior ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said. Bashary had earlier said that the aid worker was from South Africa and was working with an aid organization that was helping disabled people in Afghanistan. But the British embassy in Kabul later said that one of the its nationals was killed in the city.

Obama supports Raj Thackeray

Ref: - MNS should resort to legal / international approach Dear Sir

Need Support for start Madrasa in Hubli

“Establishment of a madrasa separately for girls and boys in every district is necessary for removing educational backwardness of the Muslim community, said president of All India Deeni Madaris Board, Maulana Mohammad Yaqoob Bulandshahri. These madras as must be of such a high standard that their students may be able to secure admission in modern arts, science and technology subjects, he further said.”

A letter to the Financial Reforms Committee of Planning Commission of India

By Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai proposal for joint ventures in islamic banking in collaboration with international islamic banks and/or international banks with islamic banking operational expertise Financial Sector Reforms are needed, as per Mr. Raghuram G. Rajan's introductory remarks, to

Eastern UP chosing mechanical over manual farming

Amit Dwivedi Special Correspondent, CNS Farmers in Eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP) are increasingly chosing costlier mechanical ways of farming over less-expensive manual ways. Why? "Mechanical harvesting is easy and less time taking. At main harvesting time its become very tough to get the labourers at right time. And if the harvesting process will get late it can harm our crops due to hail storm and heavy rains. Due to these factors big and even small and marginal farmers are also moving towards mechanical harvesting" said a farmer living in eastern part of UP, Gyan Chand.

Anti-GM protest in Delhi on May 6th 2008

By Kavitha Kuruganti The anti-GM battle in India has reached a crucial stage - soon, Mahyco, the Indian avataar of Monsanto, would be walking up to the regulators for permission for the second [and last] year of large scale trials this Kharif [starting June 2008] of Bt Brinjal, the first food crop in India and the first such GM vegetable crop with Bt gene anywhere in the world.

Fai says Kashmiris not tired of struggle

By TARIQ NAQASH Muzaffarabad: A distinguished Kashmiri thinker has dismissed what he said wrong information in a dominant segment of Pakistan that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had gown tired of struggle for freedom. “Those who think or say that now the people of Kashmir are tired seem to be influenced by wrong information. They should correct themselves,” said Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, executive director of Washington based Kashmiri American Council.

Golden opportunity for both China and Tibetans

Ref: - China should exploit political weakness of India and USA & its democratic allies. Dear Sir

Aik Shaam Janab Dr. Saifi Sironji ke Naam

Submitted by Syed Ziaur Rahman, Aligarh Aik Shaam Janab Dr. Saifi Sironji ke Naam was organized today (March 9, 2007) under the aegis of Aazar Academy (Aligarh). Some eminent poets of Aligarh founded Aazar Academy recently after the name of Late Janab Aazar Siyanvi, who was a noted poet and journalist of Aligarh.

Kashmiris should support United Punjab, a precursor to “United States of SAARC”

Ref: - India need not be over sensitive to revival of Punjab movement minus terrorism. Dear Sir This refers to last week news in Indian and...

Mumbai police must learn from New York police

Submitted by Ghulam Muhammed, Mumbai

MIM goons attacked a social worker

Hyderabad : Mr.Masood Khan a Social Worker of Hafiz Baba Nagar Under Chandrayangutta Assembly Constituency who was rectifying Street Lights along with GHMC (Electrical ) Workers was attacked by Majlish Ittehadul Musleemin (MIM) goons.Later he was sfifted to Osmania General Hospital in a Serious condition.MBT leader Mr.Amjed Ullah Khan Visited the hospital and demanded stern action against the culprits by the police.

Submitted by Amjed Ullah Khan

Patan Gang Rape- Request Public hearings in Gujarat

Submitted by dn.rath, New Delhi The Visiting Team of NCW on Patan to Gujarat National Commission for Women 4, Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Marg, New Delhi-110 002. Sub- Patan Gang Rape- Request Public hearings in Gujarat association with NCW

Budget related dharna and rally of 29th February, 2008

submitted by Satinath Choudhary, Delhi We started gathering in the morning about 11 am and around three O’clock in the afternoon, we marched towards the Parliament, led by our own Parliamentarian Hon’ble Athavale Sahab, as far as the police let us go. We then had some speeches and concluded the rally by burning a replica of the new budget! The following memorandum of demands was submitted to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister: SC/ST Budget Hissedari Andolan (Movement for SC/ST Share in Budget) c/o 36/12, 1st Floor, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi -110 008 To

J&K-specific confidence building process must speed up: Sayeed

PDP Patron meets central leaders

New Delhi : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has said a defining moment has arrived for the amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue, and it is time to focus on the resolution of the problem by adding substance to the peace process through substantial confidence building measures.

Muslim women attacked by police in Hyderabad

Hyderabad 5th March 2008: Muslim Women and Childeren were attacked by police at Saidabad police Station when they went to inquire the arrest of their son Mr.Mohtashim an Enginering Student.mr.Mohtashim was picked up by plainclothsmen in a tata sumo with plain Number plate. submitted by Amjed Ullah Khan

Bush & Condoleezza should listen to Wendy

Ref: - Kashmiri leaders should also approach USA. Dear Sir

Pakistan triumphantly emerges as leader of diarchal democracy in SAARC region

Ref: - For consolidating diarchy, Musharraf may capitalize on USA support. Dear Sir

Musharraf has proved all the skeptics wrong who were saying that there would be no free and fair elections in Pakistan. Now the same skeptics (including most of the noises through Indian media) are clamoring and leading the vicious propaganda that Musharraf ought to resign in the face of electoral defeat of PML (Q), allegedly Musharraf's party and resounding victory of PPP and PML (N), the parties of Late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

Already 50% communist India needs new monetary regime

Ref:- Jurisdictionally confused India will have to adopt genuine federalism.

Dear Sir

Amidst the hullabaloo of last week's Indian share market crises (where in the face of allegedly ailing US economy, SENSEX again crashed heavily with attended heart burns in secondary market and primary market also faced problems as the IPO of reputed companies were either withdrawn or caused heavy losses to investors) the people have generally ignored a very important & unfortunate development i.e. last week's media coverage of :-

Raj Thackeray may work for India’s transformation

Ref:- Mumbai can be equated with USA regarding immigrants. Dear Sir

Retired Generals failed to analyze current disenchantment of Indian youth with armed forces

Ref: Irrelevancy of martial element the main problem and the only solution is, to make human rights the martial jurisdiction. Dear Sir The...

Indian Muslim Organizations memorandum on Gaza

Presented to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and Hon'ble Minister of External Affairs, India

Respected Sir,

The Indian civil society, in general and Indian Muslims in particular, are horrified by the unfolding events in the open air prison called "Gaza", housing 1.5 million people, which the Israeli occupying power has condemned to slow death by imposing a complete siege since 20th January 2008. This was the culmination of the policy of throttling Gaza into death unleashed by the occupying power since June 2007.

USA ought to mobilize UN for transforming global monetary system

Ref: To avoid man made financial Tsunamis, Federal interest cut not enough.

Dear Sir

Last week's interest rate cut by Federal Reserve of USA which again injected life in share market of India which got decimated after fall of SENSEX from 22,000 to 16,000 has proved (if at all any proof was needed) that sovereignty in contemporary world has no meaning in traditional sense of the term and USA is economically all powerful to influence economies of various countries including of India, especially in this age of globalization.

USA Prez elections should motivate India to make party elections, the State responsibility.

Ref: - Without inspiring & disciplining parties, democracy is meaningless.

Dear Sir

There is any number & type of democracies being practiced in contemporary world and one need not ape the other. But there is always some radical element in one democracy which if adopted by another democracy (may be in a modified form) then it can prove to be a panacea for quite a number of problems faced by that ailing democracy. In this context the fundamental difference between democracies of USA and India needs highlighting.

Narendra Modi’s victory in Gujarat

Dear Sir

The reason for Modi's victory (widely covered by Indian and international media) is following and simple as apprehended in my letter (dated October 30, 2007) published in international print media, some paragraphs of which are reproduced below:-

"[This refers to Thursday ''Tehelka' expose on Indian T.V. channels, which was also reproduced next day in prominent print media, exposing State sponsored gory massacre of thousands of innocent Muslims in Gujarat 2002 pogrom.

Distorted hierarchy of political values of ‘Absolute Democracy (Republic)’ over ‘Human Rights’ claimed Benazir.

Ref: - Lack of human values of non-interventionist UN, the result of shirking Christianity. Dear Sir

India disturbed over imminent institutionalization of martial primacy in Pakistan

Ref:- Federation of SAARC countries with dyarchy, inevitable Dear Sir

Intra Kashmir women activists will achieve nothing by merely emulating their male counterparts

Ref:- Human rights of women dependents of Kashmiri martyrs & massive participation in exports, hold the key.

Dear Sir

This refers to three day Intra Kashmir women's conference 'Connecting women across the LoC' organised by Center for Dialogue and Reconciliation New Delhi & Women's Studies Centres of J&K Universities, which concluded on November 18, at Srinagar.

Benazir should be under house arrest rather up to elections to provide level field...

Ref:- Time running out fast for Musharraf to declare joint martial & civilian rule in Pakistan. Dear Sir Musharraf so far has shown uncanny acumen & dexterity in State / political matters where:- (1)- Elections to National & State assemblies of Pakistan are announced in January 2008. This should please international community especially USA & its democratic allies who were breathing on Musharraf's neck for early elections in Pakistan.

Allowing such huge foreign capital in real estate is anti-people

Ref: - Are PM, FM, RBI Governor & SEBI Chairman listening? Dear Sir When in mid 2003 after retirement, I shifted in my present 3 bed room rented flat at Dwarka, New Delhi, it used to cost Rupees 1.2 million. Because due to personal reasons I am required to stay in Delhi hence my relatives and friends advised me to purchase similar flat in Delhi. Hence I started managing Rs 1.2 million for the purchase of similar flat which I succeeded within few months. But to my dismay the price of such flats rose hence I started managing additional funds in order to take care of this price rise.

Tibetans not utilizing India

Ref: - It is beyond Dalai Lama alone. Dear Sir On October 17, 2007 President Bush personally presented the Dalai Lama with the US Congressional Gold Medal and called on China's leaders to open talks with the Dalai Lama, which China resented, as it complained, "Dalai Lama is seeking independence for Tibet". But in his remarks at this award ceremony, the Dalai Lama reiterated his desire for the Tibetan people to have meaningful autonomy within China, which should have reasonably allayed the fears of China.

Hour of reckoning for constitutionally secular Hindu majority India.

Ref: - Was India dishonest when gave assurance to Muslims after 1947 partition? Dear Sir This refers to Thursday 'Tehelka' exposure on Indian T.V. channels which was also reproduced next day in prominent print media, exposing State sponsored gory massacre of thousands of innocent Muslims in Gujarat 2002 pogrom.

Minus Pakistanis, the Kashmiris without leadership

Ref: - Indifference to Dutch offer, the sign of Kashmiri atrophy. Dear Sir The present position of Kashmir problem is given below as it evolved through its history after 1947: - (1)- The Kashmiris, speaking same language and practicing same religion (predominantly Islam) cannot be expected to remain divided across LOC.

Pakistanis to be careful before laying down lives

Ref: - (i)- Democracy will not come in charity. (ii)- Need to be on guard against Indian example & media propaganda. (iii)- UN / USA & its democratic allies can't be relied upon.

Karnataka parties in suspended animation over power strategy

By V.S. Karnic Bangalore, (IANS) Political parties in Karnataka are in a state of suspended animation, just like the state assembly, with confusion persisting on what they can do next. Of the three major contenders for power in the state - the Congress, the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), only the BJP hopes to benefit from the collapse of its coalition with the JD-S last week.

Advani clarified Ram controversy

Ram of Dashrath, as a pious Hindu god, May be wandering in history's dark maze; But Ram of my make- as my party's icon, Is a fact,and born in full public gaze. I,with my estranged Uma,on Decem.6,1992, Gave him birth with thunderous bang; To display him, we razed the maternity home, All heard 'Ram Lala''Ram Lala'that we sang. To celebrate the event,we massacred Muslims, And nourished the newborn with their blood; We hoped him to defend us through the ages, And stand as a wall agaist opponents' flood. As an infant, my Ram was full of vigour,

Tax-free fun ahead of Karnataka’s power transfer deadline

By V.S. Karnic Bangalore, Sep 18 (IANS) Two weeks remain for Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) to hand over power to coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka but there is complete uncertainty as to whether the transfer will actually take place Oct 3. The conflicting signals from the JD-S on the power transfer for more than a month now and the number of theories on the differences within the BJP on the issue has been aptly described by a harried leader of that party as "tax-free entertainment".

This time, Sangh Parivar should not be allowed to get away

Ref: - Great implications of Ram Setu controversy on Babri Masjid dispute & on future of SAARC. Dear Sir

The new Pathans

Folklore in northern India goes something like this. A Brahmin, with his sacred threat ceremoniously held over his ear, was standing on the side of the road and answering the call of nature. He got a big thump on his back. Flabbergasted, on turning to see what had hit him, he found a Pathan with all his colorful native plume decorating his head as his regalia, was fuming over his act of sacrilege. The Pathan said: Pandit, how dare you pee while facing the west, where is our Ka'aba. Don't you know we pray our Namaz facing west towards our Holy Ka'aba? You are insulting our Holy Masjid.

Without invoking 80,000 martyrs, Kashmiris will achieve nothing

Ref: - Time running out fast for Kashmiris in view of impending elections. Dear Sir As per September 1 media reports Huriyat Conference (G) chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, asked people of J&K to completely boycott the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state.

A letter to NHRC

Chairman, Human Rights Commission. Chairman, National Commission for Minorities. Dear Sir, With regard to the two alleged bomb blasts that took place in `Lumbini-Park' and `Gokul Chat' at Hyderabad, we would like to express our deepest grief and regret at this turn of events and join with the government in trying to identify the perpetrators and bring them to book.
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