We had no choice but violence: Bainsla

NDTV Correspondent
Thursday, May 29, 2008 (Bayana)
Gujjar leader Colonel K S Bainsla is spearheading the Gujjar agitation demanding Scheduled Tribe status for the community in Rajasthan.Speaking to NDTV about the actions taken by them as well as the reaction of the governments, he said that he regretted the violent agitation but added that the Gujjars have no choice left. Here are the excerpts of the interview.NDTV: There has been criticism that your campaign has caused many hardships for the common man. Is it fair that your protestors block roads, stop trains and pelt stones? Why can't the protest be done in such a way that it causes no inconvenience?Col K S Bainsla, Gujjar leader: I regret it but we have no choice. We have no other option but to resort to this and to stay on here till the time the recommendation is sent.NDTV: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has invited you for talks. Why are you not accepting her invitation?Col Bainsla: No, she has not invited me. She did not even phone me when she came to Bayana.NDTV: The chief minister has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of quota for Gujjars. Don't you think this issue falls on the Centre more than the state?Col Bainsla: What I have been told is that the government of India has told the Rajasthan government that if it wants to give the Scheduled Tribe status, it can send a specific recommendation.NDTV: Forty people have died in police firing and they have not been cremated yet. They are still lying there on the tracks on slabs of ice. Do you think this is fair? How long will this continue?Col Bainsla: Look, we have paid the price. We have to stick to this place because we need the status and deserve it.

This fellow is a demagogue. If we give in to his demands, more demagogues will arise and will sink enterprise India. BJP should be ready to sacrifice its government rather than give in. The nation is more important than political power.

Blasts aftermath: Govt to deport Bangladeshi migrants

Rajan Mahan, Sudhi Ranjan Sen
Friday, May 16, 2008 (Jaipur)
Three days after eight bombs ripped Jaipur killing 65 people and injuring over 150 people, there is little headway in solving the mystery of the serial blasts.But the Rajasthan government has put the Bangladeshi migrants in the city under the scanner and plans to deport them within a month.A special prayer for peace was organized at Jaipur's Jama Masjid, the first after Tuesday's terror strike. Jaipur is nearly normal and the curfew has also been lifted.Seventy-two hours after the strike, investigators are still picking up the pieces following a bewildering maze of clues. However, one thing is amply clear, all the bi-cycles used in the attack were bought from Jaipur's Kishanpole market.On Tuesday, hours before the blast Om Prakash, who has been selling cycles for over 40 years, sold a cycle to a terrorist.''Normally it takes us half-hour to sell a cycle but these people were clearly in a hurry, they just bought the first cycle that was shown to them, paid the money and left,'' said Om Prakash Laxman, cycle vendor.Police have questioned hotel owners, detained some people but the government seems to have made up its mind that the attacks couldn't have been carried out without support from sections of the Bangladeshis living in Jaipur.''We will deport all Bangladeshis within a month,'' said Rajendra Singh Rathore, PWD Minister, Rajasthan.But that many governments have found out, it is easier said than done. For now one thing is clear the security agencies have little to go by in cracking the case.

Do it!

No need to revive POTA, says Prime Minister
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday rejected the BJP’s demand that the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) be revived after the blasts in Jaipur.
"What has POTA achieved—there is no dearth of law in the country to deal with terrorism,” said Singh. The terrorist attacks on Parliament and Akshardham temple in Ahmedabad occurred when POTA was in operation, he said.
India would raise the issue of terrorism with Pakistan at the forthcoming meeting of Foreign Ministers. "All issues which have a bearing on our relations will come up at the meeting," Singh said in reply to questions on who was behind the blasts.
The BJP has alleged that the UPA Government’s "soft, weak and apathetic" policies had encouraged terrorism. "The UPA Government, which will shortly complete four years in office, has such a dismal record in discharging this responsibility that it instills no confidence whatsoever," said party leader L K Advani.
The UPA Government has "failed" to investigate and punish the guilty in any of the terror attacks that have taken place in the last four years.
This failure "is mainly due to the soft, weak and apathetic approach of a government that is unwilling to summon the requisite political will to mount a comprehensive attack on terrorism for fear of losing its vote-bank.”
The "role and responsibility" of the Central Government in dealing with terrorism is much more than that of any state government, said Advani.

Basker: NO POTA because BJP wants it. Have some concern PM and try and protect Indians by some bloody law and you may call it anything. Shame you are also like any ordinary politician and not a statesman. Fact remains that Congress wants Muslim votes and for your survival you are sacrificing innocent lives. What will make you to act?
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 02:40 )

Kapil: Breaking News. We need more people to be killed to justify POTA, this isnt enough, we are thinking of another LAW, but this can be implimented only if you vote us back to power, or you have to pay the price till then.Honorable P M of IN.....
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 01:42 )

Bala: As long as Sonia is in power no law really matters...What justice can she do for victims if she herself is reluctant to punish the guilty of her husband's killers and people who came to see her husband on that fateful day??Scrap entire law.We dont need any law in the country going by the same logic.MMS can start his hibernation.Only a few incidents like this make him comment on the issues.
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 00:30 )

Kuldeep: This Goverment is very weak and not able to take any strong decision....We need BJP back and we can kick the terrorists out of this countries..I agree BJP is full of Hard liners but thats what is requried to move this country ahead..Now since we are economically strong we should take good decisions on Kashmir and Terrorists issues. Bring BJP Back...People are not getting the point that why a external person will think of our nation pride and security...I mean Sonia Gandhi..I am staying in US for some time now ..even if I stay here for next 30 years I will never care about this country more then my own..
( Posted: Thursday , May 15, 2008 at 00:26

K.Venugopal: The PM’s justification that even with POTA Parliament attack and Akshardham happened is ridiculous. POTA or any other laws would hardly act as a preventive measure, given that the motivation of such bombers are deep rooted. The merit in POTA is that it would be easier to pursue the suspects and obtain incarceration without the loophole of quick bail and escape.

Sachar favours Muslims alone, not right: Delhi HC

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday told the Centre the Justice Rajinder Sachar Committee’s report recommends schemes for Muslims and leaves out other minority communities.
"You are trying to please one community—poverty is the common enemy. You should fight against poverty rather than saying that you would fight against poverty for one community only. This is where the rot lies," said a two-member bench.
"You are saying that more money to be spent for one minority community. Should it not cut across the caste and religion? Does the Sachar committee say that facilities are available to other communities?" said the bench. "Such issues should not be decided on the basis of emotions".
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO called the Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, which alleges the Sachar report and Government's action on it is unconstitutional.
The Centre denied that it was favouring a single community. "If out of five children one is neglected then can it not be provided special treatment?" said Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra contended.

The court was not satisfied by the Centre’s explanation and said: "does it mean that drinking water facilities are available to the majority community and no person from it live in slums".
"Under the Constitution, can a welfare state say that that it would focus on a particular area because the minority community reside there? Can it say that it would spend more money in that area?" the bench said.
The Centre alleged the PIL was frivolous and the court should reject it. "This is a political issue which cannot be decided in the court. It is to be decided by the people in election. The High Court had earlier imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 for filing frivolous petitions," said Malhotra.
Not just Muslims, other minority communities too would benefit from the committee’s recommendations, said Malhotra.
The NGO rejected the Government's claim and said there was nothing called minority community in the Constitution. "The Constitution of India does not recognise any minority or subordinate segment of Indian society as identifiably separate or a sociological group. They (Muslims) cannot be labelled as a minority in the sense of a subordinate group," said senior advocate P N Lekhi, who argued for the Rashtriya Mukti Morcha.
The court didn’t issue a notice to the Centre on Malhotra’s objection but said the matter needed debate. "It is a serious matter. The area is grey and needs a proper debate. You don't want us to examine the issue," the court said while adjourning the case till August 21.
The PIL was heard a two-judge bench comprising Justice T S Thakur and Justice Siddharth Mridul.

The High Court should stay the implementation of the Sachar Committee report.

`I`m a loyalist and not a sycophant`

New Delhi, May 12: HRD Minister Arjun Singh on Monday asserted that he was a loyalist and not a sycophant and stuck to his views that Rahul Gandhi has the capacity to be a potential prime ministerial candidate. A day after he attempted to play down the controversies surrounding him in the Congress, Singh told reporters "I am a loyalist and not a sycophant and there is no need for me to give any statement on oath." On Rahul, he said there was nothing wrong in projecting the young leader as the prime ministerial candidate in the next polls. Singh said he was only suggesting that Rahul has the capacity to become Prime Minister and that he was not seeking removal of Manmohan Singh and making the Congress general secretary as the Prime Minister right now. Asked whether his statement meant that Manmohan Singh should not be projected the prime minister in the next polls, Singh said it was for the party to decide on the issue when elections come. His statement on Rahul for Prime Minister had triggered a snub from the AICC with party spokesman saying that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul wanted to stay away from an atmosphere of sycophancy. He dismissed suggestions that Congress President Sonia Gandhi was unhappy with him. “I have not felt like that. What can I say about a thing which has no base," he said. Singh also denied that Gandhi had asked him to give up the key HRD ministry and take up another charge. "She never spoke to me about it. Never", he added. Bureau Report

Your comment(s) on this article
He is an ace boot-licker. - K.Venugopal - Mumbai

Delhi HC questions Centre on Sachar report

New Delhi, May 12: The Centre on Monday faced searching questions from the Delhi High Court on implementation of Sachar Committee recommendations for welfare of Muslims with a bench telling the government that "you are trying to please one community and "this is where the rot lies". "You are trying to please one community. Poverty is the common enemy. You should fight against poverty rather than saying that you would fight against poverty for one community only. This is where the rot lies," a two-member bench headed by Justice T S Thakur said. "You are saying that more money to be spent for one minority community. Should it not cut across the caste and religion? Does the Sachar committee say that facilities are available to other communities?" the bench, also comprising Justice Siddharth Mridul, said adding "such issues should not be decided on the basis of emotions". The court was hearing a PIL, filed by Rashtriya Mukti Morcha, an NGO, alleging the committee report and government`s follow up action is unconstitutional. The Centre had appointed the Committee to look into socio-economic and educational status of minorities, including the Muslim community, in the country. The government, however, rejected the view that it was giving any special treatment to any community. "If out of five children, one is neglected then can it not be provided the special treatment?" Additional Solicitor General P P Malhotra contended. The Bench, however, was not satisfied with the contention and observed "does it mean that drinking water facilities are available to the majority community and no person from it live in slums". Bureau Report

Your comment(s) on this article
A full bench of the Supreme Court should declare that there is only one community in India and that is the Indian community. No Indian should benefit from the Government under any classification except that he or she is an Indian. - K.Venugopal - Mumbai
The group who is rebucking Indian constitution and democracy is getting benifited by democracy. - suman - patna
I want to ask some simple question 1. What is crteria for defining minority in Indian constitution? i.e. What ratio of population of particular comunity should be treated as minority. 2. Now suppose Majority of population is devided in ten smaller comunity. Then, Is all the population of India will be treated as minority? 3. Why not Hindu should be devided in smaller community on ground of forward, Backword, SC, ST, Jain, Buddist, Shikh, follower of Sai baba, Follower of ISCON and so on? And all become minority. Lathough it is all ready devider by so called dharm-nirpeksh political LEADERs and parties like Lalu, RJD, Mulayam,SP Entire cong, BSP, Comunist etc. However it is fruit less to write this comment. - sss - mumbai

Bhutanese debate over study of Sanskrit

Thimphu, May 11: Sanskrit may be a great subject for holistic studies but it isn't relevant at all to the job market, feel Bhutanese. The Institute of Language and Cultural Studies (ILCS) at Semtokha in Bhutan introduced a degree programme in 1999. Today, after about six batches of students have graduated from the institute, there is a debate going among linguistic and cultural experts and academicians about the importance and relevance of Sanskrit studies. Some experts argue that Sanskrit was not relevant in the syllabus as students after graduation joined the civil service or chose to become teachers. ILCS is going to have a revised new curriculum very soon that will have only one module of Sanskrit, a reduction from the existing three modules. The new curriculum is almost approved and we've kept in mind the relevancy of subjects for jobs, said ILCS Director Lungtaen Gyatsho. The ILCS is keeping one module of Sanskrit as it is the root to understand cultural philosophy, Dzongkha literature and grammar and therefore important for a language and cultural student, Gyatsho was quoted as saying by Kuensel. A Dzongkha (Bhutan's national language) expert working with government said sANSKRIT was only relevant for holistic studies. "It's not for students who want to find a job in the civil service or corporations," he said. Students said that they felt the pressure of making Sanskrit a main subject. "It's difficult to understand and, to make things worse, it's a compulsory subject," said a student. "I think it isn't relevant at all to the job market, especially when we have to compete for limited jobs," said another. But other experts argue that ILCS should study Sanskrit as it is "most useful for scholarly studies, research and comparative studies of culture and language". "It will give more understanding of our national language as Sanskrit is the root of Dzongkha grammar and literature," a Dzongkha language expert said. Director of academics at the Royal University of Bhutan, Yangka, said ILCS was not just grooming its students for the job market but have other objectives to promote language, culture and tradition. "Being an institute of language and cultural studies, it has to develop better understanding of our language and cultural realities and, most importantly, graduates should have a sound basis in their discipline of study," he said. "The concern is not only for jobs, its focus is also to develop a better understanding of culture and language." Some students even question why Sanskrit was not introduced in the Dzongkha honours programme in Sherubtse College if it was so important to understand the language. "The syllabus of ILCS is ignoring the scope for jobs and further studies," said a student. Bureau Report

Your comment(s) on this article
We should ponder why India is not encouraging Sanskrit - K.Venugopal - Mumbai

I will remain loyal to Gandhi family.

New Delhi, May 11: Under fierce attack from the party, senior Congress leader Arjun Singh on Sunday sought to buy peace with the party high command by utilising the loyalty card and dismissing as "needless and irrelevant" controversies that surrounded him recently. "This is a closed chapter as far as I am concerned," the beleaguered HRD minister said in a statement a day after his remarks on loyalty as also internal democracy in the party created a storm and saw party chief Sonia Gandhi giving him a cold shoulder. The septuagenarian leader said that he was "pained at the needless and irrelevant controversies" that are sought to be raised on the book on him published by Kanhaiya Lal Nandan and presented to President Pratibha Patil two days ago. Singh's remarks at the book release function that the "evaluation of loyalty in the party was now being done in a very narrow context" was seen as a potshot at the Congress leadership. His statement in an interview in the book "Mohin Kahan Vishram" that the decision making process in the party has "fallen in a bit of a disarray" also attracted widespread criticism. In the statement, he sought to build bridges with the leadership by saying: "when I met Pandit Jawaharlal Nehruji in March 1960 I pledged my total loyalty to him and his family. This was the commitment, which is an article of faith with me. "For the past 48 years of my life, I have scrupulously adhered to it. I shall also do everything to maintain the loyalty and commitment to the remaining members of the family till I live," he said. At the book release function where he did not take the name of Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, in this statement too he spoke of the "remaining members of the family". Besides, he said in the statement that though he would always be available to the media, he would not be able to answer any question relating to the recent controversies. "This is a closed chapter as far as I am concerned," Singh, who has been not on the best of terms with the leadership for quite some time, said. Singh was snubbed twice by the Congress high command in the past one month. His statement that there was nothing wrong in projecting Rahul Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate in the next polls got immediate rebuff. AICC said that Sonia and Rahul want to stay away from an atmosphere of sycophancy. A couple of days back too, Singh's statement on the state of internal democracy in the party was outrightly rejected by the leadership. In today's statement, Singh noted that the book was not his autobiography but a compilation of articles written by different people about him from time to time. "All these have already been published and the granth (book) was presented to me on April 27, 2005." "I am still writing my autobiography which will be published on a future date," he said without elaboration. Singh's latest potshot at the leadership on the loyalty issue had stirred a hornet's nest. His friends and foes alike in the party targeted him amid signals that uncomfortable days are ahead for the leader who was once a close associate of Sonia Gandhi. Digvijay Singh and Ajit Jogi, once close associates of Singh, too attacked him while AICC steered clear of the issue of disciplinary action against the senior leader. A CWC member R K Dhawan bluntly told him that loyalty is decided by the leader and also by the deeds of the claimant and not his words.
Your comment(s) on this article
Shameless boot-licker. - K.Venugopal - Mumbai
Mr Arjun singh you will remain loyal to the country not particular family or person. Today you are a minister of country not some family. Such type of statement proves you are a chamcha. Sonia Gandhi should stay away from those chamcha. In the past such type of chamcha killed Rajib Gandhi. - sumon dutta - Dhaka

Arjun vows to remain loyal to Gandhis

NDTV Correspondent
Sunday, May 11, 2008 (New Delhi)
A day after being reportedly snubbed by Sonia Gandhi, Arjun Singh has reacted saying that he would always be loyal to her and her family.The senior Union minister and Congressman had in the past few days made statements seen to be controversial within his party, particularly when he questioned the decision-making process within the Congress.And as a result, Sonia Gandhi cold-shouldered him barely acknowledging his presence on Saturday.She went on to praise the prime minister for leaving his personal imprint on the education sector - a clear snub to Arjun Singh who is the education minister.The union minister said that when he met Pundit Nehru in 1960, he pledged his total loyalty to Nehru and his family and have scrupulously adhered to it. He also said that he shall do everything to maintain the loyalty and commitment to remaining members of the family till he lives. He also added that the recent controversy over his remarks is a closed chapter as far as he is concerned.

Shameless boot-licker.

Shiv Sena's northern region chief floats new party

10 May 2008, 1658 hrs IST,PTI
Write to Editor

NEW DELHI: Irked by Shiv Sena's stance against north-Indians, its northern region chief Jai Bhagvan Goyal on Saturday floated a new party accusing the Bal Thackeray family of serving the interests of Pakistan by promoting Maharashtra pride. Christened 'Rashtravadi Shiv Sena', the party claimed that a number of Sena members from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh had left Shiv Sena and joined the new outfit. Addressing a function in the Capital after floating the party, Goyal claimed that the diatribe against north-Indians by Shiv Sena and MNS chief and Thackeray's nephew Raj Thackeray was part of a "design" by Pakistan to destabilise the country. Attacking the Thackeray family, Goyal claimed, "first Pakistan raised Jai Khalistan, then came the Jai Kashmir slogan. There is a conspiracy to divide India in the name of 'Jai Maratha' which has been hatched by Pakistan. "Thackeray family is serving as an agent of Islamabad," Goya alleged. He said the Thackerays were attacking well-known personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, who took India's name to a new high, for petty gains. "Let me ask them, what contribution has Raj Thackeray made for the welfare of Maharashtrians in particular and Indians in general," he said. He said he had written a letter to President Pratibha Patil demanding trial of Raj Thackeray for indulging in anti-national activities. Goyal, who was associated with the Shiv Sena for the past 36 years, and some of his followers had resigned from Shiv Sena in March to protest the outfit's "outrageous conduct" towards non-Marathis in Maharashtra.

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K.Venugopal:
05/11/08 12:23

Jai Bhagvan is right. Raj Thackeray is only serving Pakistan's interest. Instead of trying to turn Maharashtrians against fellow-Indians, Bangladeshi inflitrators, numbering many thousands in Mumbai, should be evicted.

China biggest threat to India: Abdullah

Press Trust of India
Saturday, May 10, 2008 (Jammu)
Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah has described China as the ''biggest threat to India''. He said that China's massive build-up of nuclear submarines at Hainan Island was indicative of it.''We have to be very careful about China from the security point of view,'' Abdullah, who is also the patron of the opposition National Conference (NC), said at an interactive session organised by J&K Forum for Peace and Reconciliation in Jammu on Friday.Noting that China's claim over Arunachal Pradesh was yet another illustration of the threat it posed to the country's security, the NC leader expressed concern over Chinese action in Tibet.Satellite images recently showed China building massive strategic naval base with nuclear powered submarines at Hainan Island in the South China Sea.Pleading for strengthening the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on the pattern of the European Union (EU), the NC leader said India could play a major role in this endeavour.Talking about Pakistan, the former chief minister claimed that militants' camps are still intact in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and urged the newly constituted government in that country to review its policy towards Kashmir.''Don't live in euphoria. Militants' camps are still intact in POK'', he cautioned and urged the Centre to speed up the dialogue process with Pakistan for an amicable settlement of the Kashmir issue.

Dear Abdullah, Why have you not mentioned Pakistan? China and Pakistan are close allies and they have a common goal - destroy India. The best way to defeat them would be to support democracy in both countries. This will get rid of the Communists and the Mullahs. Then both countries will come closer to India on the basis of common heritage.

More colleges in minority areas: Sonia

New Delhi, May 10: Noting that minorities need much greater access to professional education, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said the government would open 370 colleges in educationally-backward districts, a large number of which have a substantial concentration of minority population. "The government has recognised that minorities in particular need much greater access to professional education and modern skill training," Gandhi said addressing the eighth convocation of the Jamia Hamdard University here. She said the UPA government has recognised the need to put special focus on the traditionally disadvantaged sections of society, which is why it has vastly expanded scholarships for minorities, Scheduled Castes and Tribes, OBCs and girls. Gandhi said 370 new colleges will be opened in districts which are educationally backward, adding these include most of the 90 districts that have a substantial concentration of minority population. In her speech at the function, where HRD Minister Arjun Singh was also present, Gandhi stressed on the need to improve the quality of education institutions. "I believe it is the fundamental responsibility of the government to provide education and with increasing enrolment, we must also improve the quality of all educational institutions," she said. "This encompasses much more than just buildings and faculty. We need to harness Information Technology and adopt state-of-the-art teaching methods," Gandhi said. Making a special mention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, she said he has put his personal imprint on the initiatives to expand the infrastructure for higher education. Bureau Report

More colleges in minority areas, run preferably by Christian minorities. - K.Venugopal - Mumbai
Phir se kaho,kehte raho,bara achha lagata he, college ka ab sapana thora saccha lagata hei.. - Rajni lotus - Patiala