The Indian Express
November 25, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=35975
For Sena, the more the merrier
AMIT SHARMA
LUCKNOW, NOVEMBER 24: Shiv Sena leaders in UP are virtually knocking on every door to encourage Hindu couples to have at least four children. Throwing family-planning caution to the wind, the Shiv Sena has launched a ''produce more children'' campaign for Hindus to counter, what it claims to be the growing population of Muslims.
''Members of the minority community are producing more children. But we have launched a campaign to encourage Hindus to follow the Muslim pattern on the issue,'' state Shiv Sena chief Vijay Tiwari told The Indian Express. He to have Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's go-ahead on the issue.
''The more the better but four in each family is a must,'' Tiwari says. The Shiv Sena will hold a felicitation programme on December 18 in the state capital for parents with four or more children. The title of ''awakened Hindu family'' will be conferred on these parents.
November 25, 2003
November 22, 2003
Bajrang Dal burns effigy of Christ
New Kerala - 22 November 2003
http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=1003
India News: Bajrang Dal burns effigy of Christ
Bhubaneswar, Nov 21
Tension has gripped an Orissa district after members of the Hindu radical group Bajrang Dal burnt an effigy of Christ to protest religious conversions.
Police officials said about a dozen activists of the group forced their way into a local church in Tileibani in the state Thursday, brought out thousands of religious books and burnt them.
District police chief L.D. Naik said they had also misbehaved with a woman.
Two cases have been registered against the 12 suspects in connection with the incidents. All of them have been absconding since Thursday, the official said.
"Tension is mounting in Tileibani block as a result of which police patrolling has been intensified," Naik told IANS.
Adequate security arrangements have been made around the churches located in sensitive areas of the district, he said.
According to police officials, the Bajrang Dal activists gathered in Tileibani on Thursday afternoon to protest conversions of Hindus to Christianity, burn the effigy and to submit a memorandum to the district administration.
It had started last week when the activists had forced their way into a house in Ambulpali village in Deogarh district after some local residents had complained that three Hindu tribals in the village had converted to Christianity last year.
Dara Singh, a Hindu fanatic with links to the hardline group, has been sentenced to death for the brutal killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, who were torched while they were sleeping in their vehicle in the state's Keonjhar district in January 1999.
Twelve of Singh's accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime that came amid a campaign against conversions.
http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=1003
India News: Bajrang Dal burns effigy of Christ
Bhubaneswar, Nov 21
Tension has gripped an Orissa district after members of the Hindu radical group Bajrang Dal burnt an effigy of Christ to protest religious conversions.
Police officials said about a dozen activists of the group forced their way into a local church in Tileibani in the state Thursday, brought out thousands of religious books and burnt them.
District police chief L.D. Naik said they had also misbehaved with a woman.
Two cases have been registered against the 12 suspects in connection with the incidents. All of them have been absconding since Thursday, the official said.
"Tension is mounting in Tileibani block as a result of which police patrolling has been intensified," Naik told IANS.
Adequate security arrangements have been made around the churches located in sensitive areas of the district, he said.
According to police officials, the Bajrang Dal activists gathered in Tileibani on Thursday afternoon to protest conversions of Hindus to Christianity, burn the effigy and to submit a memorandum to the district administration.
It had started last week when the activists had forced their way into a house in Ambulpali village in Deogarh district after some local residents had complained that three Hindu tribals in the village had converted to Christianity last year.
Dara Singh, a Hindu fanatic with links to the hardline group, has been sentenced to death for the brutal killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons, who were torched while they were sleeping in their vehicle in the state's Keonjhar district in January 1999.
Twelve of Singh's accomplices were sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime that came amid a campaign against conversions.
After Assam, it's Mumbai: Biharis get the Sena punch
http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IEP20031121133920&Title=States&Topic=0
After Assam, it's Mumbai: Biharis get the Sena punch
Saturday November 22 2003 00:00 IST
MUMBAI: Kalyan became the vortex of the Shiv Sena's new violent protest on Friday, as lathi-wielding, saffron-sporting men and women turned on their anger against outstation candidates aiming for jobs of railway gangmen, khalasis and helpers.
It was all perfectly planned and executed. The violence was even christened by local Sena men _ Bihari Ani Bhaiya Baher Kada Mohim (Out With The Biharis And Bhaiyas Movement).
As outstation candidates for a Railway Recruitment Board examination landed on board trains, slogan-shouting Sena members kicked, punched, pulled their hair and shouted expletives.
In full view of the media, Sena activists snatched identity cards, tore hall tickets and hauled several students into outbound trains. The women took the lead. As victims made a desperate run for it, women activists screamed, grabbed their hair and pulled them back.
"We will not let a single Bihari or a Uttar Pradeshi step out of any train. We have told our boys to beat up every Bihari or Bhaiya who dares step into this city to take the examination. This is our warning. We won't be responsible for the action of our activists," said Ravi Kapote, Kalyan city pramukh of the Shiv Sena, adding that about 250 of the 300-odd candidates at Kalyan station were attacked.
Even passengers waiting to board long distance trains were searched. Those unable to "answer satisfactorily" were beaten up and chased out of the station.
Senior Inspector of the Kalyan railway police Narayanrao Rajguru said no case was lodged against any Sena member, since there was no complainant. "It was not possible to take action, as there was a huge crowd in the station," he said.
A weary Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) had to postpone its examination indefinitely but hundreds of candidates are still huddled on railway platforms _ and incoming trains are still full of them. Confused, too scared to even disclose their identities and with no money for proper accommodation, they're preparing for a long battle.
But Kapote had another warning: The Sena will intensify its anti-North Indian agitation in Kalyan from midnight on Saturday. "Our activists have been divided into groups and have been given lathis. They'll keep watch at the centres. They know what to do if they spot a Bihari or a bhaiya," he said.
After Assam, it's Mumbai: Biharis get the Sena punch
Saturday November 22 2003 00:00 IST
MUMBAI: Kalyan became the vortex of the Shiv Sena's new violent protest on Friday, as lathi-wielding, saffron-sporting men and women turned on their anger against outstation candidates aiming for jobs of railway gangmen, khalasis and helpers.
It was all perfectly planned and executed. The violence was even christened by local Sena men _ Bihari Ani Bhaiya Baher Kada Mohim (Out With The Biharis And Bhaiyas Movement).
As outstation candidates for a Railway Recruitment Board examination landed on board trains, slogan-shouting Sena members kicked, punched, pulled their hair and shouted expletives.
In full view of the media, Sena activists snatched identity cards, tore hall tickets and hauled several students into outbound trains. The women took the lead. As victims made a desperate run for it, women activists screamed, grabbed their hair and pulled them back.
"We will not let a single Bihari or a Uttar Pradeshi step out of any train. We have told our boys to beat up every Bihari or Bhaiya who dares step into this city to take the examination. This is our warning. We won't be responsible for the action of our activists," said Ravi Kapote, Kalyan city pramukh of the Shiv Sena, adding that about 250 of the 300-odd candidates at Kalyan station were attacked.
Even passengers waiting to board long distance trains were searched. Those unable to "answer satisfactorily" were beaten up and chased out of the station.
Senior Inspector of the Kalyan railway police Narayanrao Rajguru said no case was lodged against any Sena member, since there was no complainant. "It was not possible to take action, as there was a huge crowd in the station," he said.
A weary Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) had to postpone its examination indefinitely but hundreds of candidates are still huddled on railway platforms _ and incoming trains are still full of them. Confused, too scared to even disclose their identities and with no money for proper accommodation, they're preparing for a long battle.
But Kapote had another warning: The Sena will intensify its anti-North Indian agitation in Kalyan from midnight on Saturday. "Our activists have been divided into groups and have been given lathis. They'll keep watch at the centres. They know what to do if they spot a Bihari or a bhaiya," he said.
Sangh blames violence on infiltrators
The Indian Express
November 22, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=35805
Sangh blames violence on infiltrators
EXPRESS NEW SERVICE
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 21: The RSS said here today that Bangladeshi infiltrators were behind the violence against Hindi-speaking people in Assam, while the ULFA and some Bodo groups were playing into their hands, thus vitiating the atmosphere.
RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said: ''Several instances have been brought to our notice where the infiltrators were the main perpetrators of the violence against Hindi-speaking people, while locals were trying to check them.'' The killings and arson ''smack of a sinister conspiracy by certain anti-national forces in the region''.
Madhav attributed the current stance of the ULFA and some Bodo groups to the fact that they ''have their bases in Bangladesh and get tacit moral and material support from ISI''.
Sena won't allow exam; 'outsiders' hold morcha
November 22, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=35805
Sangh blames violence on infiltrators
EXPRESS NEW SERVICE
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 21: The RSS said here today that Bangladeshi infiltrators were behind the violence against Hindi-speaking people in Assam, while the ULFA and some Bodo groups were playing into their hands, thus vitiating the atmosphere.
RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav said: ''Several instances have been brought to our notice where the infiltrators were the main perpetrators of the violence against Hindi-speaking people, while locals were trying to check them.'' The killings and arson ''smack of a sinister conspiracy by certain anti-national forces in the region''.
Madhav attributed the current stance of the ULFA and some Bodo groups to the fact that they ''have their bases in Bangladesh and get tacit moral and material support from ISI''.
Sena won't allow exam; 'outsiders' hold morcha
November 21, 2003
Indian Hindu radicals to fight outsiders on rail jobs
www.alertnet.org
21 Nov 2003 10:57:31 GMT
Indian Hindu radicals to fight outsiders on rail jobs
BOMBAY, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Hindu radicals in Bombay are threatening violence to prevent people from outside the state trying for government jobs in the city, in an echo of a clash that triggered bloodshed in India's northeast this week.
Activists from the Bombay-based Shiv Sena ransacked a railway office on Monday to protest against outsiders being included among the 650,000 candidates who will attend a test on Sunday for 2,200 prized jobs with the government railways.
"We will not allow the tests to be held," Shiv Sena party chief Bal Thackeray said on Friday. "If the Marathi (speaking) man sheds blood, the state will have to pay a heavy price."
Bombay is the capital of Maharashtra state, where Marathi is the local language. But the city of 13 million people is one of the country's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan.
Thousands from around India arrive in Bombay each day, hoping to make a living or attracted to its Bollywood film industry.
The Shiv Sena has long fought to keep Maharashtra for Marathi speakers. But its thrust in recent years has been more pro-Hindu.
Security in Bombay has been stepped up and police will protect candidates after clashes over railway jobs triggered days of killing and arson in the northeastern state of Assam. Over 34 people were killed and troops were called onto the streets.
ATTACK FEARS
"I am scared that we could be attacked. But what can I do? I have to take the test, I need a job," said Yugeshwar Kumar, 22, a college student from northern Bihar state.
More than 150,000 will sit for the test on Sunday, the second of four rounds, and thousands are pouring into Bombay, from northern India, especially Bihar. Many are camping at railway stations and on pavements.
"We will fight and protest. The sons of the soil have to get their right. We will not tolerate any injustice done to our people," Mohan Rawle, a senior Shiv Sena leader, told Reuters.
"Where can the locals go looking for jobs? Maharashtrians have to be given preference to people from other states."
Sunday's tests are for the lowest jobs in the railways, the gangmen who maintain the tracks and wagons. But all railway jobs are prized because of their security, pension and other benefits.
The bloodshed in Assam was triggered by attacks on Assamese in Bihar last week after reports of assaults on Bihari students who went to Assam for railway tests.
21 Nov 2003 10:57:31 GMT
Indian Hindu radicals to fight outsiders on rail jobs
BOMBAY, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Hindu radicals in Bombay are threatening violence to prevent people from outside the state trying for government jobs in the city, in an echo of a clash that triggered bloodshed in India's northeast this week.
Activists from the Bombay-based Shiv Sena ransacked a railway office on Monday to protest against outsiders being included among the 650,000 candidates who will attend a test on Sunday for 2,200 prized jobs with the government railways.
"We will not allow the tests to be held," Shiv Sena party chief Bal Thackeray said on Friday. "If the Marathi (speaking) man sheds blood, the state will have to pay a heavy price."
Bombay is the capital of Maharashtra state, where Marathi is the local language. But the city of 13 million people is one of the country's wealthiest and most cosmopolitan.
Thousands from around India arrive in Bombay each day, hoping to make a living or attracted to its Bollywood film industry.
The Shiv Sena has long fought to keep Maharashtra for Marathi speakers. But its thrust in recent years has been more pro-Hindu.
Security in Bombay has been stepped up and police will protect candidates after clashes over railway jobs triggered days of killing and arson in the northeastern state of Assam. Over 34 people were killed and troops were called onto the streets.
ATTACK FEARS
"I am scared that we could be attacked. But what can I do? I have to take the test, I need a job," said Yugeshwar Kumar, 22, a college student from northern Bihar state.
More than 150,000 will sit for the test on Sunday, the second of four rounds, and thousands are pouring into Bombay, from northern India, especially Bihar. Many are camping at railway stations and on pavements.
"We will fight and protest. The sons of the soil have to get their right. We will not tolerate any injustice done to our people," Mohan Rawle, a senior Shiv Sena leader, told Reuters.
"Where can the locals go looking for jobs? Maharashtrians have to be given preference to people from other states."
Sunday's tests are for the lowest jobs in the railways, the gangmen who maintain the tracks and wagons. But all railway jobs are prized because of their security, pension and other benefits.
The bloodshed in Assam was triggered by attacks on Assamese in Bihar last week after reports of assaults on Bihari students who went to Assam for railway tests.
November 11, 2003
RSS website poll backs Jaya's action against scribes
The Times of India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=276224
RSS website poll backs Jaya's action against scribes
RAJESH RAMACHANDRAN
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2003 02:30:18 AM ]
NEW DELHI : While the entire country has in unison attacked the Tamil Nadu Assembly's decision to imprison the journalists of The Hindu, visitors to the RSS' official website have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Jayalalithaa's action in an opinion poll.
The question posted on the home page of the RSS website since Saturday is: « Is Jayalalithaa’s action on The Hindu justified? » Only two options have been given: « Hindu desserves » and « Not justified ».
The poll has so far yielded a result of 76 per cent saying that « The Hindu desserves » the 15-day sentence in jail for its publishers, editors and staffers. Only 24 per cent of those who voted feel that the action is not justified.
In a way, the poll on The Hindu has much in common with the one held on the death sentence to Dara Singh in the Graham Staines murder case.
On both these issues, the Sanghâ€(tm)s official view has been contrary to the poll results. The Sangh had asked on September 24, « Is death penalty to Dara Singh in the Staines murder case proper? » The result was 60 per cent saying « No » and the rest « Yesâ ».
In the case of the TN assembly’s decision, the RSS’s view is that, « Nobody can support such an action against any paper. It was unwarranted. »
Then why do RSS swayamsevaks support Jayalalithaa? « It is not necessary that all those who have voted in the opinion poll are from the RSS. Even you are free to vote in the poll. The poll results are not reflective of the RSS view on the issue. It is like an opinion poll on elections, » says RSS spokesman Ram Madhav.
If the results are not reflective of its views, why does the RSS conduct such polls?
« We conduct such polls regularly on contemporary issues to gauge the public mood. But this does not have to be our view, » Madhav points out.
The Sangh Parivar followers feel that Jayalalithaa has picked on the wrong issue to attack The Hindu, or for that matter any « pseudo-secular » paper. Parivar insiders feel that had she done the same over some Hindutva issue like a newspaper reporting against TN’s anti-conversion Bill, she would have got open support from Hindu organisations.
Since this July, the RSS has among other issues sought its website visitors opinion on sending Indian troops to Iraq , a legislation on Ayodhya, and simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and the assemblies, Indo-Pak relations and safety of women in Delhi .
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=276224
RSS website poll backs Jaya's action against scribes
RAJESH RAMACHANDRAN
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2003 02:30:18 AM ]
NEW DELHI : While the entire country has in unison attacked the Tamil Nadu Assembly's decision to imprison the journalists of The Hindu, visitors to the RSS' official website have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Jayalalithaa's action in an opinion poll.
The question posted on the home page of the RSS website since Saturday is: « Is Jayalalithaa’s action on The Hindu justified? » Only two options have been given: « Hindu desserves » and « Not justified ».
The poll has so far yielded a result of 76 per cent saying that « The Hindu desserves » the 15-day sentence in jail for its publishers, editors and staffers. Only 24 per cent of those who voted feel that the action is not justified.
In a way, the poll on The Hindu has much in common with the one held on the death sentence to Dara Singh in the Graham Staines murder case.
On both these issues, the Sanghâ€(tm)s official view has been contrary to the poll results. The Sangh had asked on September 24, « Is death penalty to Dara Singh in the Staines murder case proper? » The result was 60 per cent saying « No » and the rest « Yesâ ».
In the case of the TN assembly’s decision, the RSS’s view is that, « Nobody can support such an action against any paper. It was unwarranted. »
Then why do RSS swayamsevaks support Jayalalithaa? « It is not necessary that all those who have voted in the opinion poll are from the RSS. Even you are free to vote in the poll. The poll results are not reflective of the RSS view on the issue. It is like an opinion poll on elections, » says RSS spokesman Ram Madhav.
If the results are not reflective of its views, why does the RSS conduct such polls?
« We conduct such polls regularly on contemporary issues to gauge the public mood. But this does not have to be our view, » Madhav points out.
The Sangh Parivar followers feel that Jayalalithaa has picked on the wrong issue to attack The Hindu, or for that matter any « pseudo-secular » paper. Parivar insiders feel that had she done the same over some Hindutva issue like a newspaper reporting against TN’s anti-conversion Bill, she would have got open support from Hindu organisations.
Since this July, the RSS has among other issues sought its website visitors opinion on sending Indian troops to Iraq , a legislation on Ayodhya, and simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and the assemblies, Indo-Pak relations and safety of women in Delhi .
November 06, 2003
Sangh eyes Bhojshala poll plank
Indian Express
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=34746
Sangh eyes Bhojshala poll plank
HARTOSH SINGH BAL
BHOPAL, NOVEMBER 4: As Polls approach, it was anticipated the BJP would attempt to reap the benefits of the hardcore Hindutva platform along with the anti- incumbency factor working against the Digvijay Singh government.
But the latest attempt by the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) ahead of the polls is a blatantly crude political campaign centred around the hurt to 'Hindu sentiments'.
The focal point of the campaign is the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid issue, for which the Manch was set up to carry out an agitation for the monument's 'liberation' in early 2003. The agitation had peaked in February and had seen a solution, still unacceptable to the Muslim community in Dhar, enforced by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Under this, Muslims continued to exercise rights to namaz every Friday while Hindus gained access every Tuesday.
A jan jagran being organised by the HJM began on November 1 and will continue till November 15. During the event - apart from a dharam samagam planned in Dhar tomorrow which happens to be a Tuesday - pamphlets are being distributed to voters in the state. HJM state chief Radheshyam Yadav said: ''Each district will see its own version of the handbill. This is part of our attempt to ensure the voter makes the right choice.''
When asked why this was being done along with BJP workers checking voter lists, he said: ''In some places, there may have been an overlap but these are separate programmes. Of course, people carrying out our distribution are from the Sangh, since we are a Sangh outfit.'' And then he adds: ''We are opposing this Hindu virodhi sarkar now in power in the state. Our workers have been harassed by this government that is responsible for Muslim tushtikaran.''
But it is no secret that even Radheshyam Yadav is just a RSS puppet. He does not even know the name of his Bhopal chief coordinating distribution in the city, but it is being done by RSS workers. The pamphlets distributed in Bhopal leave no doubts about the campaign's aim.
The cover page has a picture of a semi-automatic wielding man with the statement 'Madhya Pradesh mein jehadi atankvaad kab tak? (How long will jehadi terror continue in MP?)' printed across. The pamphlet is titled, ''Gau hathyaron ko puraskar, Hinduwon par atyachar (Cow slaughterers are rewarded, Hindus tortured)'' and adds 'vote aur note ke lalach mein Hinduwon par chot kab tak (how long will Hindus be victims of the greed for notes and votes)'.
Under the banner - 'yeh kaisa shashan .... yeh kaisa nyay (what kind of administration is this .... what kind of justice is this)?' are photographs of the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid monument, one titled 'mandir mein namaz (namaz in a temple)' and the other showing police clashing with HJM activists inside the temple titled 'Hinduwon pe atyachar (atrocities on Hindus)'.
The pamphlet also carries charges which have been raised earlier by the BJP and never substantiated.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=34746
Sangh eyes Bhojshala poll plank
HARTOSH SINGH BAL
BHOPAL, NOVEMBER 4: As Polls approach, it was anticipated the BJP would attempt to reap the benefits of the hardcore Hindutva platform along with the anti- incumbency factor working against the Digvijay Singh government.
But the latest attempt by the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) ahead of the polls is a blatantly crude political campaign centred around the hurt to 'Hindu sentiments'.
The focal point of the campaign is the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid issue, for which the Manch was set up to carry out an agitation for the monument's 'liberation' in early 2003. The agitation had peaked in February and had seen a solution, still unacceptable to the Muslim community in Dhar, enforced by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Under this, Muslims continued to exercise rights to namaz every Friday while Hindus gained access every Tuesday.
A jan jagran being organised by the HJM began on November 1 and will continue till November 15. During the event - apart from a dharam samagam planned in Dhar tomorrow which happens to be a Tuesday - pamphlets are being distributed to voters in the state. HJM state chief Radheshyam Yadav said: ''Each district will see its own version of the handbill. This is part of our attempt to ensure the voter makes the right choice.''
When asked why this was being done along with BJP workers checking voter lists, he said: ''In some places, there may have been an overlap but these are separate programmes. Of course, people carrying out our distribution are from the Sangh, since we are a Sangh outfit.'' And then he adds: ''We are opposing this Hindu virodhi sarkar now in power in the state. Our workers have been harassed by this government that is responsible for Muslim tushtikaran.''
But it is no secret that even Radheshyam Yadav is just a RSS puppet. He does not even know the name of his Bhopal chief coordinating distribution in the city, but it is being done by RSS workers. The pamphlets distributed in Bhopal leave no doubts about the campaign's aim.
The cover page has a picture of a semi-automatic wielding man with the statement 'Madhya Pradesh mein jehadi atankvaad kab tak? (How long will jehadi terror continue in MP?)' printed across. The pamphlet is titled, ''Gau hathyaron ko puraskar, Hinduwon par atyachar (Cow slaughterers are rewarded, Hindus tortured)'' and adds 'vote aur note ke lalach mein Hinduwon par chot kab tak (how long will Hindus be victims of the greed for notes and votes)'.
Under the banner - 'yeh kaisa shashan .... yeh kaisa nyay (what kind of administration is this .... what kind of justice is this)?' are photographs of the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid monument, one titled 'mandir mein namaz (namaz in a temple)' and the other showing police clashing with HJM activists inside the temple titled 'Hinduwon pe atyachar (atrocities on Hindus)'.
The pamphlet also carries charges which have been raised earlier by the BJP and never substantiated.
November 05, 2003
Book on Ganesha draws flak
http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/nov/02us.htm
Book on Ganesha draws flak
Rediff, India - 2 Nov 2003
Several passages in the book, which has a nude picture of Lord Ganesha
on the cover, are insensitive to Hindu faith, they say
Book on Ganesha draws flak
Rediff, India - 2 Nov 2003
Several passages in the book, which has a nude picture of Lord Ganesha
on the cover, are insensitive to Hindu faith, they say
Kar seva for Lyngdoh - "Jai Lyngdoh Ram!"
The Hindustan Times
November 6, 2003
Kar seva for Lyngdoh
V. Gangadhar
As the Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express steamed into Godhra station, hundreds of kar sevaks clad in saffron, waving banners and trishuls, barged into my compartment.
Once they settled down, they began shouting slogans: "Jai Lyngdoh Ram!", "Har Har James Lyngdoh!" and so on. The posters and placards they waved carried the picture of a familiar face which I could not place immediately.
I asked the kar sevak seated next to me, "This train is not going to Ayodhya." He nodded, twirled a trishul and replied, "I know that. But we are going to Gandhinagar. Our new demand is to build a temple for James Lyngdoh. And we want to perform kar seva at that temple." Suddenly I realised that the familiar face on the placards and posters carried by the kar sevaks was that of Chief Election Commissioner James Michael Lyngdoh.
"A temple for Lyngdoh!" I exclaimed. "But you want a Ram temple at Ayodhya. Plus, you people don't even like Lyngdoh!" The man sitting in front of me nodded. "That is an old story. The Ram temple is a long-range plan of the VHP. But we have to honour Lyngdoh. We had misunderstood him in the past and hence we want to honour him with a temple for him at Gandhinagar. We Gujaratis simply love and admire this man."
"Why this sudden change of heart?" I asked.
One of the saffron-clad netas pushed himself forward. "Jamesbhai is now a changed man. After visiting Chhattisgarh recently to supervise arrangements for the forthcoming assembly polls, he gave a piece of his mind to its chief minister, cabinet members and bureaucrats. In the process, he also praised Gujarat. We are proud of our Jamesbhai and must build a temple for him"
"What did he say about Gujarat?" I asked
The VHP stalwart spread out his hands. His trishul fell down with a clatter and I picked it up and gave it to him. "Remember the time the CEC, during his pre-poll visit to Gujarat, blasted the state bureaucrats for their bias. He did not spare the chief secretary or the police chief. All that is forgotten. According to Jamesbhai, Gujarat's bureaucrats, after his initial ticking off, became more efficient and impartial. But he found that the Chhattisgarh blokes were totally partisan even after his tongue lashing. This is great praise for Gujaratis indeed."
"Who thought of building a temple for him?" I asked.
The kar sevaks looked at one another. "The order came from the very top," one of them said. "From Narendra Modi himself. And there were similar messages from Ashok Singhal and Togadia."
"But he's not even a Hindu," I pointed out.
"Then we may build a church-cum-temple for him," one of them opined. "These are minor issues."
"Has anyone talked this issue with the CEC?" I wanted to know.
"I am sure he will be flattered," replied the kar sevak. "Mind you," he continued, "even T.N. Seshan was not honoured like this. Narendra Modi will convey the news to Jamesbhai personally and then invite him for the consecration of the temple. Who knows, if everything goes off well, the Chief Election Commissioner's office could be shifted to Gujarat and function from the temple-church complex. That will be the ultimate tribute for James Michael Lyngdoh. He should know that Gujarat does not forget its friends."
November 6, 2003
Kar seva for Lyngdoh
V. Gangadhar
As the Ahmedabad-bound Sabarmati Express steamed into Godhra station, hundreds of kar sevaks clad in saffron, waving banners and trishuls, barged into my compartment.
Once they settled down, they began shouting slogans: "Jai Lyngdoh Ram!", "Har Har James Lyngdoh!" and so on. The posters and placards they waved carried the picture of a familiar face which I could not place immediately.
I asked the kar sevak seated next to me, "This train is not going to Ayodhya." He nodded, twirled a trishul and replied, "I know that. But we are going to Gandhinagar. Our new demand is to build a temple for James Lyngdoh. And we want to perform kar seva at that temple." Suddenly I realised that the familiar face on the placards and posters carried by the kar sevaks was that of Chief Election Commissioner James Michael Lyngdoh.
"A temple for Lyngdoh!" I exclaimed. "But you want a Ram temple at Ayodhya. Plus, you people don't even like Lyngdoh!" The man sitting in front of me nodded. "That is an old story. The Ram temple is a long-range plan of the VHP. But we have to honour Lyngdoh. We had misunderstood him in the past and hence we want to honour him with a temple for him at Gandhinagar. We Gujaratis simply love and admire this man."
"Why this sudden change of heart?" I asked.
One of the saffron-clad netas pushed himself forward. "Jamesbhai is now a changed man. After visiting Chhattisgarh recently to supervise arrangements for the forthcoming assembly polls, he gave a piece of his mind to its chief minister, cabinet members and bureaucrats. In the process, he also praised Gujarat. We are proud of our Jamesbhai and must build a temple for him"
"What did he say about Gujarat?" I asked
The VHP stalwart spread out his hands. His trishul fell down with a clatter and I picked it up and gave it to him. "Remember the time the CEC, during his pre-poll visit to Gujarat, blasted the state bureaucrats for their bias. He did not spare the chief secretary or the police chief. All that is forgotten. According to Jamesbhai, Gujarat's bureaucrats, after his initial ticking off, became more efficient and impartial. But he found that the Chhattisgarh blokes were totally partisan even after his tongue lashing. This is great praise for Gujaratis indeed."
"Who thought of building a temple for him?" I asked.
The kar sevaks looked at one another. "The order came from the very top," one of them said. "From Narendra Modi himself. And there were similar messages from Ashok Singhal and Togadia."
"But he's not even a Hindu," I pointed out.
"Then we may build a church-cum-temple for him," one of them opined. "These are minor issues."
"Has anyone talked this issue with the CEC?" I wanted to know.
"I am sure he will be flattered," replied the kar sevak. "Mind you," he continued, "even T.N. Seshan was not honoured like this. Narendra Modi will convey the news to Jamesbhai personally and then invite him for the consecration of the temple. Who knows, if everything goes off well, the Chief Election Commissioner's office could be shifted to Gujarat and function from the temple-church complex. That will be the ultimate tribute for James Michael Lyngdoh. He should know that Gujarat does not forget its friends."
Sangh eyes Bhojshala poll plank in Madhya Pradesh
Indian Express
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=34746
Sangh eyes Bhojshala poll plank
HARTOSH SINGH BAL
BHOPAL, NOVEMBER 4: As Polls approach, it was anticipated the BJP would attempt to reap the benefits of the hardcore Hindutva platform along with the anti- incumbency factor working against the Digvijay Singh government.
But the latest attempt by the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) ahead of the polls is a blatantly crude political campaign centred around the hurt to 'Hindu sentiments'.
The focal point of the campaign is the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid issue, for which the Manch was set up to carry out an agitation for the monument's 'liberation' in early 2003. The agitation had peaked in February and had seen a solution, still unacceptable to the Muslim community in Dhar, enforced by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Under this, Muslims continued to exercise rights to namaz every Friday while Hindus gained access every Tuesday.
A jan jagran being organised by the HJM began on November 1 and will continue till November 15. During the event - apart from a dharam samagam planned in Dhar tomorrow which happens to be a Tuesday - pamphlets are being distributed to voters in the state. HJM state chief Radheshyam Yadav said: ''Each district will see its own version of the handbill. This is part of our attempt to ensure the voter makes the right choice.''
When asked why this was being done along with BJP workers checking voter lists, he said: ''In some places, there may have been an overlap but these are separate programmes. Of course, people carrying out our distribution are from the Sangh, since we are a Sangh outfit.'' And then he adds: ''We are opposing this Hindu virodhi sarkar now in power in the state. Our workers have been harassed by this government that is responsible for Muslim tushtikaran.''
But it is no secret that even Radheshyam Yadav is just a RSS puppet. He does not even know the name of his Bhopal chief coordinating distribution in the city, but it is being done by RSS workers. The pamphlets distributed in Bhopal leave no doubts about the campaign's aim.
The cover page has a picture of a semi-automatic wielding man with the statement 'Madhya Pradesh mein jehadi atankvaad kab tak? (How long will jehadi terror continue in MP?)' printed across. The pamphlet is titled, ''Gau hathyaron ko puraskar, Hinduwon par atyachar (Cow slaughterers are rewarded, Hindus tortured)'' and adds 'vote aur note ke lalach mein Hinduwon par chot kab tak (how long will Hindus be victims of the greed for notes and votes)'.
Under the banner - 'yeh kaisa shashan .... yeh kaisa nyay (what kind of administration is this .... what kind of justice is this)?' are photographs of the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid monument, one titled 'mandir mein namaz (namaz in a temple)' and the other showing police clashing with HJM activists inside the temple titled 'Hinduwon pe atyachar (atrocities on Hindus)'.
The pamphlet also carries charges which have been raised earlier by the BJP and never substantiated.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=34746
Sangh eyes Bhojshala poll plank
HARTOSH SINGH BAL
BHOPAL, NOVEMBER 4: As Polls approach, it was anticipated the BJP would attempt to reap the benefits of the hardcore Hindutva platform along with the anti- incumbency factor working against the Digvijay Singh government.
But the latest attempt by the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM) ahead of the polls is a blatantly crude political campaign centred around the hurt to 'Hindu sentiments'.
The focal point of the campaign is the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid issue, for which the Manch was set up to carry out an agitation for the monument's 'liberation' in early 2003. The agitation had peaked in February and had seen a solution, still unacceptable to the Muslim community in Dhar, enforced by the
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Under this, Muslims continued to exercise rights to namaz every Friday while Hindus gained access every Tuesday.
A jan jagran being organised by the HJM began on November 1 and will continue till November 15. During the event - apart from a dharam samagam planned in Dhar tomorrow which happens to be a Tuesday - pamphlets are being distributed to voters in the state. HJM state chief Radheshyam Yadav said: ''Each district will see its own version of the handbill. This is part of our attempt to ensure the voter makes the right choice.''
When asked why this was being done along with BJP workers checking voter lists, he said: ''In some places, there may have been an overlap but these are separate programmes. Of course, people carrying out our distribution are from the Sangh, since we are a Sangh outfit.'' And then he adds: ''We are opposing this Hindu virodhi sarkar now in power in the state. Our workers have been harassed by this government that is responsible for Muslim tushtikaran.''
But it is no secret that even Radheshyam Yadav is just a RSS puppet. He does not even know the name of his Bhopal chief coordinating distribution in the city, but it is being done by RSS workers. The pamphlets distributed in Bhopal leave no doubts about the campaign's aim.
The cover page has a picture of a semi-automatic wielding man with the statement 'Madhya Pradesh mein jehadi atankvaad kab tak? (How long will jehadi terror continue in MP?)' printed across. The pamphlet is titled, ''Gau hathyaron ko puraskar, Hinduwon par atyachar (Cow slaughterers are rewarded, Hindus tortured)'' and adds 'vote aur note ke lalach mein Hinduwon par chot kab tak (how long will Hindus be victims of the greed for notes and votes)'.
Under the banner - 'yeh kaisa shashan .... yeh kaisa nyay (what kind of administration is this .... what kind of justice is this)?' are photographs of the Bhojshala/Kamal Maula masjid monument, one titled 'mandir mein namaz (namaz in a temple)' and the other showing police clashing with HJM activists inside the temple titled 'Hinduwon pe atyachar (atrocities on Hindus)'.
The pamphlet also carries charges which have been raised earlier by the BJP and never substantiated.
Shiv Sena Turns Shrine issue turned into poll launchpad
Mid-Day Mumbai 6 November 2003
URL: http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2003/november/67942.htm
Sena grabs shrine demolition as poll plank
By: Yogesh Naik
November 5, 2003
Until recently, the Shiv Sena and the BJP in Maharashtra were looking for an issue to flag off their campaign against the ruling Democratic Front in an election year. Now, the demolition of illegal shrines in the city has settled their doubts.
Yesterday, the Sena began its poll campaign in full flow, organising maha artis in various areas to protest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's demolition of religious structures.Now, the demolition of illegal shrines in the city has settled their doubts.
At Saat Rasta, Sena activists and local residents staged a mah aarti and blocked traffic for nearly two hours. Mohan Rawle, the Sena MP from south-central Mumbai, also participated in the arti. There were no policemen around for about an hour and the mob dispersed only after the deputy commissioner of police requested them to do so. On Monday, Sena activists staged a maha arti at Foras Road, where a Yellamma temple was demolished.
The Sena's south-central Mumbai vibhag pramukh Ajay Chowdhury said, "There are no orders from the party. People are gathering as Hindus. Hindutva is our lifeline. If someone is trying to suffocate us, we won't tolerate it.
"In fact, the court should have ordered the removal of every encroachment. The BMC seems to have misinterpreted the court order, they are also targeting old temples. We're protesting against that."
When the demolitions first began on a high court order, Sena activists kept quiet. But later, some party members brought it to the notice of their bosses.
Shakhas were told to support the protest without getting directly involved, to avoid contempt of court.
On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said he had been briefed by police officers that the demolitions could cause trouble. "It's election year and parties may use this issue to gain mileage," Bhujbal said.
Yesterday, at a meeting at Mantralaya in Minister of State for Home (Urban) Rajendra Darda's office, police officials said the BMC was going a little soft on illegal mosques as Ramzan is on. They said since the demolition of illegal crosses had been stayed by the court, the BMC had demolished more temples. Government sources said Darda and police officials decided to tell BMC to go a little soft on temples.
The Sena, under the direction of Raj Thackeray, has formed a Mandir Bachav Samiti to move the court.
Yesterday afternoon, the demolition of a temple in Sector 5 of Kandivli was halted by about 1,000 locals, who conducted a maha arti. "We will definitely oppose the demolitions. We have also told devotees of various temples to approach the courts," said Vinod Ghosalkar, Sena vibhag pramukh of north Mumbai.
Sena deputy leader and MP Sanjay Nirupam said, "The BMC has started demolitions in the city. They are yet to start on bigger temples in the western suburbs. We are collecting data on how many temples will be affected. Old temples have to be relocated. At Metro there is a mosque that affects traffic but many people are attached to them. It should be shifted. We will discuss the issue and seek directions from Balasaheb."
In south Mumbai, Sena vibhag pramukh Bala Kalsekar has called for a meeting today to protest the demolitions. "The BMC demolishes our temples on holy days like Kartiki Ekadashi and Dev Diwali. But mosques are being spared because of Ramzan," Kalsekar said.
Consult local MLA, BJP tells Srivastava
BJP Mumbai chief Bhai Girkar yesterday met Municipal Commissioner K C Srivastava and suggested to him that local councillors, MLAs and MPs be consulted while demolishing an illegal religious shrine. He also said BMC authorities should give a notice to the shrine authorities.
Girkar also told the municipal commissioner that many old and heritage temples had also been given notices by the BMC.
URL: http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2003/november/67942.htm
Sena grabs shrine demolition as poll plank
By: Yogesh Naik
November 5, 2003
Until recently, the Shiv Sena and the BJP in Maharashtra were looking for an issue to flag off their campaign against the ruling Democratic Front in an election year. Now, the demolition of illegal shrines in the city has settled their doubts.
Yesterday, the Sena began its poll campaign in full flow, organising maha artis in various areas to protest the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's demolition of religious structures.Now, the demolition of illegal shrines in the city has settled their doubts.
At Saat Rasta, Sena activists and local residents staged a mah aarti and blocked traffic for nearly two hours. Mohan Rawle, the Sena MP from south-central Mumbai, also participated in the arti. There were no policemen around for about an hour and the mob dispersed only after the deputy commissioner of police requested them to do so. On Monday, Sena activists staged a maha arti at Foras Road, where a Yellamma temple was demolished.
The Sena's south-central Mumbai vibhag pramukh Ajay Chowdhury said, "There are no orders from the party. People are gathering as Hindus. Hindutva is our lifeline. If someone is trying to suffocate us, we won't tolerate it.
"In fact, the court should have ordered the removal of every encroachment. The BMC seems to have misinterpreted the court order, they are also targeting old temples. We're protesting against that."
When the demolitions first began on a high court order, Sena activists kept quiet. But later, some party members brought it to the notice of their bosses.
Shakhas were told to support the protest without getting directly involved, to avoid contempt of court.
On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said he had been briefed by police officers that the demolitions could cause trouble. "It's election year and parties may use this issue to gain mileage," Bhujbal said.
Yesterday, at a meeting at Mantralaya in Minister of State for Home (Urban) Rajendra Darda's office, police officials said the BMC was going a little soft on illegal mosques as Ramzan is on. They said since the demolition of illegal crosses had been stayed by the court, the BMC had demolished more temples. Government sources said Darda and police officials decided to tell BMC to go a little soft on temples.
The Sena, under the direction of Raj Thackeray, has formed a Mandir Bachav Samiti to move the court.
Yesterday afternoon, the demolition of a temple in Sector 5 of Kandivli was halted by about 1,000 locals, who conducted a maha arti. "We will definitely oppose the demolitions. We have also told devotees of various temples to approach the courts," said Vinod Ghosalkar, Sena vibhag pramukh of north Mumbai.
Sena deputy leader and MP Sanjay Nirupam said, "The BMC has started demolitions in the city. They are yet to start on bigger temples in the western suburbs. We are collecting data on how many temples will be affected. Old temples have to be relocated. At Metro there is a mosque that affects traffic but many people are attached to them. It should be shifted. We will discuss the issue and seek directions from Balasaheb."
In south Mumbai, Sena vibhag pramukh Bala Kalsekar has called for a meeting today to protest the demolitions. "The BMC demolishes our temples on holy days like Kartiki Ekadashi and Dev Diwali. But mosques are being spared because of Ramzan," Kalsekar said.
Consult local MLA, BJP tells Srivastava
BJP Mumbai chief Bhai Girkar yesterday met Municipal Commissioner K C Srivastava and suggested to him that local councillors, MLAs and MPs be consulted while demolishing an illegal religious shrine. He also said BMC authorities should give a notice to the shrine authorities.
Girkar also told the municipal commissioner that many old and heritage temples had also been given notices by the BMC.
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