Fwd: US Congress wants justice for Gujarat riot victims

Sun, 18 Jan 2004 10:44:27 -0800



Indian Muslim Council <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 17:44:36 -0500 (EST)
From: Indian Muslim Council <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: US Congress wants justice for Gujarat riot victims

Indian Muslim Council, USA (IMC-USA)
'Defending India's freedom, democracy and pluralism'
IMC-USA Weekly News Digest - January 14th, 2003

In this issue...

Announcements:

Communal Harmony in Action:

News Headlines:
Opinions & Editorials:

Announcements:

Renowned Indian Scholar and Activist Dr.Asghar Ali Engineer to visit USA

Dr. ASGHAR ALI ENGINEER is a renowned Indian scholar and activist. In over forty years of exhaustive fieldwork, he has investigated and documented nearly every riot in post-independence India. Dr. Engineer has written extensively on Indian Muslims and Communal harmony, Secularism etc in countless articles, weekly newsletters and books. He has forty-five books to his credit, and is currently the director of the Center for the Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS) and the Institute of Islamic Studies, both in Mumbai, India.

Indian Muslim Council-USA will host a series of lectures across the USA by Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer, on the issues of secularism, democracy, communal harmony and the position of the Muslim community in the world's largest democracy.

What: 'Secularism & Democracy in India: Challenges Ahead'
When: January 24th, 2004 from 12:30 - 4:30 PM.
Where: Santa Clara Marriott, 2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA
Tickets: $10, includes lunch. Free baby-sitting.
RSVP: [EMAIL PROTECTED] , (408) 219-1433
More Info: http://www.imc-usa.org/events.htm

Sponsored by: Coalition against Communalism (CAC), Friends of South Asia (FOSA), South Asian Progressive Action Collective (SAPAC), NRI's for a Secular & Harmonious India (NRI-SAHI), Indian Muslim Council - USA (IMC-USA), Indian Muslim Relief Committee (IMRC)

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What: 'Communalism & Identity Politics in India'
When: January 25, 2004. 6:00PM - 8:00 PM
Where: FunAsia, Richardson, TX
RSVP: [EMAIL PROTECTED] , (972)889-8000

Sponsored by: Indian Muslim Council - USA (IMC-USA)

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What: 'Democracy & Communal Harmony in India: Role of NRI & PIO Community'
When: Saturday, January 31st 2004, 1:00PM - 3:30 PM
Where: Indo-American Center, 6328 N. California, Chicago, IL 60659
Tickets: $10 per person, $5 for students (Includes Buffet Lunch)
RSVP: [EMAIL PROTECTED] , (708)466-0244

Sponsored by: Building Bridges [A Coalition comprising of following organizations: World Tamil Organization (WTO), South Asian Progressive Action Network (SAPAC), Coalition for Secular and Democratic India (CSDI), Indian Muslim Council-USA (IMC-USA), South Asia Group for Action and Reflection (SAGAR) ]

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http://www.imc-usa.org/cgi-bin/cfm/PressRelease.cfm?PRID=70

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Communal Harmony in Action:

It's the Sikhs who maintain mosque, temple here (Jan 11, 2004, Yahoo!)
Harmony beyond barriers of religion and caste has been an integral aspect of Sikhism. In village Kadham, in south Punjab, where the mosques or temples are by no means restricted to only one religious group. In fact they are maintained and looked after by the Sikhs.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/040111/139/2auf5.html

SEE ALSO:

Brush strokes for communal harmony (Dec 22, 2003, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/373349.cms

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Hindus, Muslims pray for India-Pakistan amity (Jan 5, 2004, IANS)
In an unprecedented show of solidarity, Hindus and Muslims in this communally volatile Gujarat city hugged each other and prayed for India-Pakistan friendship at the ongoing 12th SAARC summit in Islamabad.

Hundreds of Hindus and Muslims congregated late Sunday at the communally sensitive neighbourhood of Kalupur here and congratulated one another over the proposed meeting between Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.
http://in.news.yahoo.com/040105/43/2aqdd.html

SEE ALSO:

Muslim Families Eye Reunions as Indo-Pak Ties Warm (Jan 12, 2004, Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=ourWorldNews&storyID=4110595

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News Headlines:

US Congress wants justice for riot victims (Jan 9, 2004, Times of India)
Leader of the delegation, Joseph Pitts who represents Pennsylvania , told mediapersons on Friday that the delegation would now report to their colleagues in the Congress about “the anti-conversion laws, treatment of dalits and anti-minority violence to be included in the country reports that are prepared on every country”.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/414555.cms

SEE ALSO:

US lawmakers meet Gujarat riot victims (Jan 9, 2004, Hindu)
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00209213016.htm

Gujarat riots: US delegation concerned over delayed justice (Jan 9, 2004, Hindustan Times)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/2004/Jan/10/printedition/100104/detNAT18.shtml

Indian Muslim Council-USA welcomes Congressional scrutiny of the condition of minorities in Gujarat.
http://www.imc-usa.org/cgi-bin/cfm/PressRelease.cfm?PRID=71

To contact your representative in Congress:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/

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'NRIs giving money to Hindutva forces': Girish Karnad (Jan 10, 2004, Times of India)
MYSORE : Noted theatre personality and writer Girish Karnad on Saturday alleged Hindutva forces of receiving hard currency from NRIs and using those funds for spreading communal hatred in the country.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/416379.cms

SEE ALSO:

VHP plans fund-raising drive (Jan 12, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/417265.cms

Bajrang Dal, VHP announce trident distribution plan (Jan 12, 2004, IANS)
http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action="">

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Advani asks Muslims to give up claim on Ayodhya (Jan 9, 2004, Hindustan Times)
Advani indicated as much in his statement on Friday. "If the Muslim community comes forward to cooperate with the Hindus in fulfilling their aspirations of building a Ram Temple at Ram Janmasthaan, the Hindus also should step forward to remove the concerns from the minds of the Muslims," he said.

The Deputy PM pledged the support of the government and the BJP to use their "persuasive power" on the Sangh Parivar-affiliated units like the VHP.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/printedition/100104/detNAT13.shtml

SEE ALSO:

RSS, Jamiat talks 'successful' (Jan 14, 2004, Rediff.com)
http://in.rediff.com/news/2004/jan/14ayo1.htm

VHP demands legislation for Ram temple (Jan 13, 2004, Yahoo!)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/040113/43/2avux.html

Hindu Jagran Manch points to London to fan Bhojshala fire (Jan 13, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=39134

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Narendra Modi invited to start Gaurav Yatra in US (Jan 14, 2004, Hindustan Times)
Non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) have invited Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to go on a 'Gaurav Yatra', or a pride rally, from New York to Los Angeles in the US.

Modi had gone on a Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat in 2002 during the assembly elections to project himself and his party's achievements.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_532624,000900040003.htm

SEE ALSO:

Non-resident Gujaratis felicitate Modi (Jan 13, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/419466.cms

Modi sidelines Christians, Muslims (Jan 13, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow/423334.cms

Censor Modi gags police (Jan 8, 2004, Telegraph India)
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1040108/asp/nation/story_2763545.asp

PM pats Modi: State must forgive, forget (Jan 14, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=39165

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India's Leader Plans Election as a Mandate for His Party (Jan 13, 2004, New York Times)
India's governing party, seeking to capitalize on both a booming economy and new peace prospects with Pakistan, said Monday that it would seek to hold early elections with the aim of securing a renewed mandate by April.

The Bharatiya Janata Party rose to power on a Hindu nationalist platform, but has lately sought to temper its overt use of Hindutva, or Hindu-ness.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/13/international/asia/13INDI.html

SEE ALSO:

BJP talks early polls, woos Muslims (Jan 14, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=27500

India's new-look governing party (Jan 14, 2003, BBC)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3395397.stm

IUML, INL to join DMK-front (Jan 4, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/403544.cms

BJP redefines Hindutva and itself (Jan 12, 2004, Yahoo!)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/040111/58/2aum0.html

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Promise of India: Indians abroad say they can contribute to peace (Jan 10, 2004, Indian Express)
Promise of India, an organisation comprising Indian diaspora, organised its first conference at the India Habitat Centre today. The conference ‘Promise of India-Linking Peace and Development’ tried to explore the vital linkages between peace, communal harmony and India’s social and economic progress.

It focussed on ideas to promote long-term peace and harmony, and ways in which the NRIs/PIOs may actively be a party to it.
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=72881

SEE ALSO:

They hold the promise of a better India...(Jan 8, 2004, Hindu)
http://www.thehindu.com/2004/01/08/stories/2004010806000400.htm

Amartya Sen proud of secular India (Jan 8, 2004, IANS)
http://autofeed.msn.co.in/pandoraV2/output/E81EC123-8880-4C96-AEB6-F1BEB5DDEF9F.asp

ITalks can bring in peace: Amartya (Jan 12, 2004, Hindu)
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/00212190075.htm

Indian Muslim Council-USA endorses 'Promise of India' campaign for Communal Harmony in India.
http://www.imc-usa.org/cgi-bin/cfm/PressRelease.cfm?PRID=66

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Gujarat's festering wounds (Jan 12, 2003, BBC)
The Gujarat carnage was the worst religious violence India had seen in years.

There were allegations that the attacks on the minority community were carefully-orchestrated - and that members of the state's government, the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), played a key role in the rioting.

Similar accusations were made against other organisations in the loose family of Hindu-nationalist groups known as the Sangh Parivar.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3383883.stm

SEE ALSO:

HC indicts police, NGOs in Best Bakery order (Jan 12, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/419208.cms

Terror returns to Ahmedabad area as main riot accused returns (Jan 11, 2004, Yahoo!)
http://in.news.yahoo.com/040111/43/2au7q.html

Gujarat riots: Bilkis finally has glimpse of justice, 3 booked for rape, murder (Jan 8, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=38814

One convicted for murder during Gujarat riots (Jan 5, 2004, Hindu)
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00105193015.htm

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What Nisha can do, Mehnaz can do better (Jan 14, 2004, Statesman)
In a courageous example of asserting her rights, doubly so in socially conservative north India, Mehnaz — a newly-wed bride from Haldwani — refused to consummate her wedding with an alcoholic “husband” and successfully insisted that family members and relatives arrange her divorce (talak) within hours of the wedding ceremony (nikah).

It was only after the nikah on Monday that Mehnaz realised that her husband was an alcoholic — he was dead drunk on his wedding day too. Appalled at the prospect of living a life of misery, she defied tradition and the opprobrium of the community and took a defiant stand: she wanted the marriage annulled, and now.
http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=1&theme=&usrsess=1&id=33228

SEE ALSO:

India names Sania Mirza its brand ambassador in year of girl child (Jan 12, 2004, Hindustan Times)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_529949,00070002.htm

Khusro to be Delhi's tableau theme (Jan 9, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/412788.cms

Islamic protests make Rushdie fly (Jan 13, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/420231.cms

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'Maratha' activists vandalise Bhandarkar Institute (Jan 6, 2004, Times of India)
In a dastardly attack, over 150 activists of the little-known 'Sambhaji Brigade', affiliated to the Maratha Seva Sangh, on Monday ransacked the renowned Bhandarkar oriental research institute (Bori) for helping American author James Laine, who made some highly objectionable remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his book Shivaji: A Hindu king in Islamic India.

The activists, armed with batons, bamboo sticks and nanchakus, first hit peon Prasad Konde on his head and forced their way into the research and study halls which house ancient and valuable books, manuscripts, pictures, copper and clay tablets. The vandals ransacked cupboards, broke the computer, smashed window panes and mutilated oil paintings of stalwart Indologists like Ramkrishna Bhandarkar, P.V.Kane,Kashinathshastri Abhyankar, P.V. Bapat and P.L. Vaidya, who spent their lives bringing Bori to its preeminent stature. The floor was littered with broken glass, fans and telephones, torn pages of books and manuscripts dating back to the 16th century. A translation of the Rigved by Sanacharya was later found on the ILS Law College road, outside the institute. Not even saplings outside the building were spared.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/407226.cms

SEE ALSO:

Madness of the mob (Jan 7, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=38696

Govt bans book on Shivaji, draws flak (Jan 14, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/421394.cms

Sambhaji brigade defends attack on BORI (Jan 9, 2004, Times of India)
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/414618.cms

Mumbai wakes up to Pune’s agony (Jan 8, 2004, Indian Express)
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=72686

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Opinions and Editorials:

Make the tough decisions by Paul Marshall (Jan 14, 2004, Washington Times)
But the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is linked to Hindu extremist groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which mount hate campaigns and sometimes-violent attacks against religious minorities and demand that Hinduism dominate society and politics. The RSS was founded by admirers of fascism and Nazism, produced Gandhi's murderers and is now perhaps the world's largest paramilitary organization, with millions of members.

The BJP functions as Hindu nationalism's political wing. Prime Minister Vajpayee publicly praises the RSS and, in August, shared a podium and sang songs with RSS chief K.S. Sudarshan. Other top officials, including Home Affairs Minister Advani, are RSS associates.

The main target of the "Hindutva" or "Hinduization" campaign are the Muslim and Christian communities. Some 2,000 Muslims were massacred in the state of Gujarat in 2002, after Muslim mobs were reported to have set fire to a train carrying Hindu nationalists, killing 58 persons.
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20040113-085244-4546r.htm

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Interview: A Rehman S Nakadar - Distance Education (Jan 9, 2004, Times of India)
The American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) held its 12th annual convention in Mumbai last month, after a last-minute venue shift from Ahmedabad. The federation runs about 50 schools in India and the convention's highlight was the award ceremony to Muslim Board toppers from Guwahati to Jamnagar .

A Rehman S Nakadar , AFMI secretary-general, spoke to Jyoti Punwani about the rationale behind a separate body for Indian Muslims in America and the organisation's goal of achieving 100 per cent literacy among Indian Muslims.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/412747.cms

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Trials and tribulations in Gujarat - Editorial (Jan 14 2004, Hindustan Times
The Gujarat High Court had some pretty harsh words to say while dismissing the appeal for retrial in the Best Bakery case. ..Not long ago, the apex court had chastised the Gujarat chief secretary and the police chief for not rising to the occasion when communal fury was raging.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/2004/Jan/14/printedition/140104/detEDI02.shtml
SEE ALSO:

A sad judgment (Jan 14, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=39151

Hindutva on the beach (Jan 8, 2004, Indian Express)
http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=38762

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