Ban conversion. Act on Love Jihad
Kerala HC makes a historic intervention
By S Chandrasekhar
The Kerala High Court Justice KT Sankaran in a landmark judgment on December 9, directed the Kerala government to enact laws to prevent conversions in the guise of love and romance. The court also denied bail to two jehadis-Shahansha and Sirajuddin who tried to convert MBA students to Islam in the guise of love. "Educational institutions where the younger generation is engaged in the pursuit of learning should not be the breeding ground of radical religion. There are clear indications of forceful religious conversion in the name of love and attempts to persuade girls who fell in love with Muslim boys to change religion," the Judge observed. The Justice rubbished the Kerala DGP’s report that Love Jihad was non-existent.
"Brilliant Hindus and Christians doing professional courses and from well-to-do families have fallen into the trap and got converted. 100 cases have been reported in Thiruvananthapuram and as per statistics 3000-4000 incidents have taken place during past four years", the court observed
The Judge also observed that Love Jihad is operational all over the country and has the blessings of several Muslim organisations.
The BJP and Hindu Aikya Vedi leader Kummanam Rajasekharan have welcomed the court judgment and have stated that it vindicated RSS/BJP/VHP stand. RSS ideologue, Padmasri P Parameswaran, praised the Judge for his bold stand.
Ban conversion in the guise of romance: HC
Express News ServiceFirst Published : 10 Dec 2009 02:34:00 AM ISTLast Updated :
KOCHI: Observing that there are indications of compulsory religious conversion under the pretext of love, the Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to consider whether a law should be enacted to prohibit such conversion.
Justice K T Sankaran made the observation while dismissing the anticipatory bail application filed by Shahansha and Sirjuddin, the two accused in a case of alleged compulsory religious conversion.
The duo is accused of trying to convert two MBA students to Islam under the guise of love.
The court said that educational institutions where the young generation is engaged in the pursuit of learning should certainly not be the breeding ground for religion.
After perusing the case diary and reports filed by various law enforcing agencies, the court held that there were indications of forceful religious conversion. DGP Jacob Punnoose submitted earlier that though no movement called Love Jehad or Romeo Jehad had been identified in the state, there was reason to suspect concerted attempts to persuade girls who fell in love with Muslim boys to change their religion.
One of the 18 reports submitted by the DGP said that outfits such as the National Democratic Front, the Popular Front of India and the Campus Front had roots in college campuses.
The report also mentions the Muslim Youth Forum and the Shaheen Force. A Special Branch report said that the organisations trap brilliant upper caste Hindu and Christian girls from well-to-do families, especially those in professional courses. The report says there were more than 100 incidents in Thiruvananthapuram district alone.
"As per the statistics available around 3000-4000 such incidents took place during the last four years," the court said.
"The report says that Love Jehad organisations operate all over the country and are believed to have started their activities with the blessings of Muslim organisations," the court said.
News review
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Biswa Mangal Go Gram Rath Yatra kicks off in city
BHUBANESWAR: Biswa Mangal Go Gram Rath Yatra, a national campaign on Sunday kicked off here at Lingaraj Temple. Organising committee spokesman Ravi Narayan Panda said that in the first day, the Rath traversed from Lingaraj Temple and reached Bargarh Brit Colony while passing through Punama Gate, Bhima Tangi, Sundarpada, Samantarapur, Ravi Talkies Square, Bhaskareswar Temple, the Rath would traverse other parts of the city till November 10 and join the main Rath, which was kicked off on Vijaya Dasami Day at Kurukhetra in Hariyana. City Yatra committee coordinator Prafulla Bisoi, RSS Zilla Karyabaha Rajesh Ray, Bebastha Pramukha Umakanta Bhai, Jagannath Patnaik, Kuna Bhai, Indramani Sendha and several others were present. The main will reach Orissa on November 7. The main Rath of the Yatra would stay in Orissa for four days from November 7 to 10. It will arrive at Rourkela on November 7 from Ranchi and reach Sambalpur on November 8 Cuttack on 9 and on 10, it will be at Berhampur and on 11, it would leave for Visakhapatnam. The 108 days long Yatra is demanding national animal status for cow and asked the Centre as well as respective States Government to impose a complete ban on cow slaughtering. The Yatra, which spread the message of 'save cow and save village', had been kicked off will be flagged off on September 28, 2009, on Vijaya Dashami Day at Kurukhetra in Hariyana and will calumniated at Nagpur in 2010 on Makar Sankranti Day," . The Yatra would traverse some 20,000 kilometers. Apart, from the main Yatra, 15,000 smaller Yatra including 150 in Orissa to traverse some 10 lakh kilometers during in 108 days while meetings will be held at 400 places across the country and signature of 50 crore people will be collected and submitted to the President of India seeking complete ban on cow slaughter.
Bishop gets Gandhi award for public apology to Hindus
WASHINGTON: Reverend J Jon Bruno, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, California, was awarded the Hindu American Foundation's annual Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism at the HAF's Sixth Capitol Hill reception in early October.
Bruno had last year offered a public apology to Hindus "for centuries-old acts of religious discrimination, including attempts to convert them".
The Reverend Dr Gwynne Guibord, officer of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Concerns of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and Theological Consultant for Interfaith Relations for the Episcopal Church, US, accepted the award on behalf of Bruno and the other two awardees -- Reverend Karen MacQueen, a priest in the Episcopal Church and Associate Rector of St Paul's Episcopal Church in Pomona, California and herself.
In his acceptance letter read out at the event, Bruno again apologised profusely for the centuries-old discrimination against Hindus.
"As Mahatma Gandhi taught, cooperation and trust require a sincere commitment to truth," Bruno said. "Mindful of our duty to the truth, I believe that the world cannot afford for us to repeat the errors of our past, in which we Christians often sought to dominate rather than to serve. In order to take another step in building trust between our two great religious traditions, I renew the apology that I have offered to the Hindu community for the religious and racial discrimination that Christians have directed towards Hindus for far too long."
In her remarks, Guibord spoke of how touched she and her fellow awardees were at the "special and unexpected" recognition. "As the climate in our country becomes less and less civil and more violent in rhetoric and action, the work that we do together and separately becomes ever more urgent and important," she said.
"Now more than ever we, as a community that seeks to protect the integrity of both our religions and our democracy, must stand firm in our collective commitment to eradicate hate, discrimination, defamation and dehumanisation of any and all of God's created."
Also receiving the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism was the American Jewish Committee represented by Richard Foltin, legislative director and counsel in the AJC's Office of Government and International Affairs in Washington, DC, and Nissim Reuben, programme officer on Indian-Jewish American Relations. The AJC was recognised for its work in building bridges between the Jewish and Hindu communities worldwide.
"At a time of international conflicts in which the name of God is too often invoked as justification, it is hard to think of a time when Gandhi's inspiring message of nonviolence and tolerance has not been more pertinent," Foltin said.
Recalling the various occasions when the AJC and HAF have backed each other when their respective religions were under threat, Foltin said such cooperation is "the lesson that each of our faiths teach us".
US Congressman Frank Pallone, founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, was presented with a Special Recognition Award for his services to the cause. US Congressman Danny Davis, Illinois Democrat and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, who has taken up the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka [ Images ] on the urging of Sri Lankan Tamil organisations supported by the HAF, said from his perspective of being an African American, his sympathies lay with the displaced Tamils, and vowed to do whatever he could to help.
The Pride of the Community Award was presented to Anju Bhargava, the only Hindu member of President Obama's [ Images ] Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, who said the infrastructure of the Hindu-American community needs to develop further.
Bhargava, the founder/convener of Hindu American Seva Charities, which promotes development and partnership of Seva Centers to provide social services in faith based institutions, said, "One of the things that I am working with as part of the Advisory Council is bringing an awareness of the post-1965 immigrants and especially those of the dharmic tradition -- that our way of being and the way we worship and the way we practice is different from the Judeo-Christian model. So when the government reaches out to the faith-based community and it has a model in its mind, it needs to really look at the other groups that are there and understand the differences in the development."
HAF managing director Suhag Shukla, who emceed the function, said Hindu Americans across the nation increasingly saw the HAF as "a key stakeholder and an institution that reflects their own coming of age".
Earlier in the day, members of the HAF's board of directors and senior staffers had meetings with key US Senators and House members to press for increased scrutiny on aid appropriations for Pakistan. On domestic issues, the HAF backed the demand of other faith-based groups for fairness and compassion in legal immigration legislation, especially as it applies to religious workers, J-1 exchange physicians and widows and widowers of US citizens.
The religious worker Special Immigration program, as well as the J-1 waiver that gives state health agencies the ability to recruit foreign physicians to underserved rural and inner-city communities, are set to expire. The HAF also advocated for an end to the "widow penalty", which places spouses of US citizens who die prior to the end of a two-year conditional period, in deportation.
Bruno had last year offered a public apology to Hindus "for centuries-old acts of religious discrimination, including attempts to convert them".
The Reverend Dr Gwynne Guibord, officer of Ecumenical and Inter-religious Concerns of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and Theological Consultant for Interfaith Relations for the Episcopal Church, US, accepted the award on behalf of Bruno and the other two awardees -- Reverend Karen MacQueen, a priest in the Episcopal Church and Associate Rector of St Paul's Episcopal Church in Pomona, California and herself.
In his acceptance letter read out at the event, Bruno again apologised profusely for the centuries-old discrimination against Hindus.
"As Mahatma Gandhi taught, cooperation and trust require a sincere commitment to truth," Bruno said. "Mindful of our duty to the truth, I believe that the world cannot afford for us to repeat the errors of our past, in which we Christians often sought to dominate rather than to serve. In order to take another step in building trust between our two great religious traditions, I renew the apology that I have offered to the Hindu community for the religious and racial discrimination that Christians have directed towards Hindus for far too long."
In her remarks, Guibord spoke of how touched she and her fellow awardees were at the "special and unexpected" recognition. "As the climate in our country becomes less and less civil and more violent in rhetoric and action, the work that we do together and separately becomes ever more urgent and important," she said.
"Now more than ever we, as a community that seeks to protect the integrity of both our religions and our democracy, must stand firm in our collective commitment to eradicate hate, discrimination, defamation and dehumanisation of any and all of God's created."
Also receiving the Mahatma Gandhi Award for the Advancement of Religious Pluralism was the American Jewish Committee represented by Richard Foltin, legislative director and counsel in the AJC's Office of Government and International Affairs in Washington, DC, and Nissim Reuben, programme officer on Indian-Jewish American Relations. The AJC was recognised for its work in building bridges between the Jewish and Hindu communities worldwide.
"At a time of international conflicts in which the name of God is too often invoked as justification, it is hard to think of a time when Gandhi's inspiring message of nonviolence and tolerance has not been more pertinent," Foltin said.
Recalling the various occasions when the AJC and HAF have backed each other when their respective religions were under threat, Foltin said such cooperation is "the lesson that each of our faiths teach us".
US Congressman Frank Pallone, founder of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, was presented with a Special Recognition Award for his services to the cause. US Congressman Danny Davis, Illinois Democrat and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, who has taken up the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka [ Images ] on the urging of Sri Lankan Tamil organisations supported by the HAF, said from his perspective of being an African American, his sympathies lay with the displaced Tamils, and vowed to do whatever he could to help.
The Pride of the Community Award was presented to Anju Bhargava, the only Hindu member of President Obama's [ Images ] Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, who said the infrastructure of the Hindu-American community needs to develop further.
Bhargava, the founder/convener of Hindu American Seva Charities, which promotes development and partnership of Seva Centers to provide social services in faith based institutions, said, "One of the things that I am working with as part of the Advisory Council is bringing an awareness of the post-1965 immigrants and especially those of the dharmic tradition -- that our way of being and the way we worship and the way we practice is different from the Judeo-Christian model. So when the government reaches out to the faith-based community and it has a model in its mind, it needs to really look at the other groups that are there and understand the differences in the development."
HAF managing director Suhag Shukla, who emceed the function, said Hindu Americans across the nation increasingly saw the HAF as "a key stakeholder and an institution that reflects their own coming of age".
Earlier in the day, members of the HAF's board of directors and senior staffers had meetings with key US Senators and House members to press for increased scrutiny on aid appropriations for Pakistan. On domestic issues, the HAF backed the demand of other faith-based groups for fairness and compassion in legal immigration legislation, especially as it applies to religious workers, J-1 exchange physicians and widows and widowers of US citizens.
The religious worker Special Immigration program, as well as the J-1 waiver that gives state health agencies the ability to recruit foreign physicians to underserved rural and inner-city communities, are set to expire. The HAF also advocated for an end to the "widow penalty", which places spouses of US citizens who die prior to the end of a two-year conditional period, in deportation.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
7 farmers committed suicide in Orissa
BHUBANESWAR: The toll of farmer suicides in Orissa has gone up to seven with yet another 60-year old farmer committed suicide in Rangadhipa village under Hemgiri police station in Sundargarh district.
The farmer was identified as Mahasai Narang and consumed pesticide.Villagers attributed crop failure as the prime reason for Mahasai to commit suicide but the local administration maintained that financial problems forced the farmer to take such drastic step.With the death of Mahasai, so far seven farmers have committed suicide in the state during October primarily due to crop failure and pest attacks on the crop.
The State Government, which is under tremendous pressure, however announced loan package for the farmers.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had already ordered a high level administrative inquiry into the series of suicides of the farmers by the Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC) who has been directed to make field visit and inquire into the incidents.
The Opposition political parties in Orissa, while holding the Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout responsible for the suicides of the farmers, demanded compensation of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and a job to one member of the family.
The Opposition has also demanded to declare all the affected blocks in the state as drought-hit and waive debts of the farmers living in distress.
A fact finding team of the ruling Biju Janata Dal, which visited some of the deceased farmers' villages, submitted a report to the Chief Minister stating that the crop failure and pest attack were the prime reasons for the farmers to commit suicide.
The team has urged the government to launch welfare measures for the farmers to prevent occurrence of such tragic incident in future.
BHUBANESWAR: The toll of farmer suicides in Orissa has gone up to seven with yet another 60-year old farmer committed suicide in Rangadhipa village under Hemgiri police station in Sundargarh district.
The farmer was identified as Mahasai Narang and consumed pesticide.Villagers attributed crop failure as the prime reason for Mahasai to commit suicide but the local administration maintained that financial problems forced the farmer to take such drastic step.With the death of Mahasai, so far seven farmers have committed suicide in the state during October primarily due to crop failure and pest attacks on the crop.
The State Government, which is under tremendous pressure, however announced loan package for the farmers.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had already ordered a high level administrative inquiry into the series of suicides of the farmers by the Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC) who has been directed to make field visit and inquire into the incidents.
The Opposition political parties in Orissa, while holding the Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout responsible for the suicides of the farmers, demanded compensation of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and a job to one member of the family.
The Opposition has also demanded to declare all the affected blocks in the state as drought-hit and waive debts of the farmers living in distress.
A fact finding team of the ruling Biju Janata Dal, which visited some of the deceased farmers' villages, submitted a report to the Chief Minister stating that the crop failure and pest attack were the prime reasons for the farmers to commit suicide.
The team has urged the government to launch welfare measures for the farmers to prevent occurrence of such tragic incident in future.
Widows flock holy city for Panchuka, Kartik Purnima
PURI-The last week of the ongoing auspicious month of Kartik has witnessed more devotees flocking to the holy city to observe Panchuka, considered as the holiest days of the Hindu calendar.
Lord Jagannath takes new attire (bhesas) on each day till the conclusion of the brata on the eve of Kartik Purnima. Devotees before the end of their brata visit the Pancha Teerth located around the city and take a holy dip in Mahodadhi Teerth (a portion of the sacred sea) and offer prayers to the Sun God and Lord Jagannath for salvation.
“This is the most sought-after place to attain salvation and the right time to consummate all religious activities,” said one amongst the scores of white-robed, frail-looking widows, mostly in their seventies, who congregate in lakhs at the holy Sri Kshetra Dham to observe the month-long Kartika Brata which kicks off from Kumar Purnima.
As per religious texts, one who observes this sacred brata in Puri attains salvation, which is the ultimate destination. Every year widows come to this city from various parts of the State, particularly from Ganjam, Gajapati, Bhanjnagar and other southern districts besides Chhattisgarh and Midnapore, to observe the brata ceremoniously.
Almost all mathas, dharmasalas and low-cost accommodations of Puri get full with pious devotees. House rents around the temple town go up during this month. Many of them share small rooms on rent while some trace houses of near and distant relatives for accommodation. They take sankalpa (religious vow) in a small ceremony to observe brata with devotion.
Braving the cold and inclement weather these old and emaciated widows rise early in the morning, finish their daily chores and take a holy dip in one of the four sacred tanks namely Narendra, Indradumna, Swetaganga and Markanda of the city.
They deck sandalwood tilak on their forehead and make a beeline in front of the Jagannath temple to witness mangala arti. Considering the huge rush of widow devotees to Puri to observe Kartika Brata, this could well be imagined how Kartika and Puri go in tandem. Devotees also express an unabated interest to solemnise any type of religious activities in the Lord’s abode.
Malati Bewa, a 78-year-old widow from Aska said, “I come here every year to observe the brata after my husband died in a road accident when I was 40 years old. I get mental peace and solace by observing the auspicious brata in Sri Kshetra.” Many others belonging to her village also accompany her every year.
While observing the month-long arduous Kartika Brata devoutly, they take all pains to make it a fruitful one. They don’t bother for the dilapidated mathas and dharmasalas or the exorbitant price of vegetables and observe the brata with strong determination. Some hapless and poor widows even don’t mind to sleep in the temple premises and take very little food suiting their standard of living. For Tulasi Devi from Cuttack, it was nearly a three months long tussle to collect money from her near and dear ones. “I even cannot think of terminating the brata in the wake of a possible financial crunch,” she said.
As per religious rituals, they install a chaura (Tulasi plant) called Brundabati in front of their accommodation to conduct religious practices in the morning. The bratadharis (vowed ones) use tulasi mala as necklace and for chanting sacred mantras especially the Hare Krishna mahamantra.
Prayers, chanting and clash of cymbals demonstrate a deep sense of devotion to Lord Jagannath. After returning from the temple, they recite the Kartik Mahatmya, a religious text, sitting around the chaura. They take cooked mahaprasad once in a day in the late evening before retiring to bed. Barring a few, most of these bratadharis hail from lower economic strata of the society and collect fund from family members and friends for the holy sojourn.
Rama Devi, an octogenarian widow with thick glasses and a wrinkled face with a bent spine, also observed the brata despite her physical constraints. She said that even her sons and grandsons opposed her from proceeding to Puri for the brata in view of her poor health. Since the last 30 years she has been coming to Puri to have a darshan of the Lord and observe the holy brata.
She prays the Lord to allow her to die in the sacred Sri Kshetra Dham and get cremated in the Swargadwar. Srinibas Mishra who gives religious discourses to the devotees in the temple premises during the holy month said that the bratadharis sit for hours together listening to the sermons of the text with rapt attention and pay him for his service.
Loknath Suar, a temple cook said that huge quantities of mahaprasad is cooked everyday and offered in bhands (special bhogs) in view of great demand among the widows. We have men called bojhias who carry mahaprasad on their head and deliver to the monthly enrolled devotees at minimum rate, he said.
The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration has rescheduled the various rites and rituals of Lord Jagannath to allow more time to devotees for darshan of the three deities. Offering of special bhog or cooked mahaprasad is allowed a number of times in order to provide the same to the devotees. Servitors are asked to work overtime while special attention is given to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the temple premises. Police arrangements have been beefed up in and around the temple on the eve of Kartik Purnima, sources said.
Lord Jagannath takes new attire (bhesas) on each day till the conclusion of the brata on the eve of Kartik Purnima. Devotees before the end of their brata visit the Pancha Teerth located around the city and take a holy dip in Mahodadhi Teerth (a portion of the sacred sea) and offer prayers to the Sun God and Lord Jagannath for salvation.
“This is the most sought-after place to attain salvation and the right time to consummate all religious activities,” said one amongst the scores of white-robed, frail-looking widows, mostly in their seventies, who congregate in lakhs at the holy Sri Kshetra Dham to observe the month-long Kartika Brata which kicks off from Kumar Purnima.
As per religious texts, one who observes this sacred brata in Puri attains salvation, which is the ultimate destination. Every year widows come to this city from various parts of the State, particularly from Ganjam, Gajapati, Bhanjnagar and other southern districts besides Chhattisgarh and Midnapore, to observe the brata ceremoniously.
Almost all mathas, dharmasalas and low-cost accommodations of Puri get full with pious devotees. House rents around the temple town go up during this month. Many of them share small rooms on rent while some trace houses of near and distant relatives for accommodation. They take sankalpa (religious vow) in a small ceremony to observe brata with devotion.
Braving the cold and inclement weather these old and emaciated widows rise early in the morning, finish their daily chores and take a holy dip in one of the four sacred tanks namely Narendra, Indradumna, Swetaganga and Markanda of the city.
They deck sandalwood tilak on their forehead and make a beeline in front of the Jagannath temple to witness mangala arti. Considering the huge rush of widow devotees to Puri to observe Kartika Brata, this could well be imagined how Kartika and Puri go in tandem. Devotees also express an unabated interest to solemnise any type of religious activities in the Lord’s abode.
Malati Bewa, a 78-year-old widow from Aska said, “I come here every year to observe the brata after my husband died in a road accident when I was 40 years old. I get mental peace and solace by observing the auspicious brata in Sri Kshetra.” Many others belonging to her village also accompany her every year.
While observing the month-long arduous Kartika Brata devoutly, they take all pains to make it a fruitful one. They don’t bother for the dilapidated mathas and dharmasalas or the exorbitant price of vegetables and observe the brata with strong determination. Some hapless and poor widows even don’t mind to sleep in the temple premises and take very little food suiting their standard of living. For Tulasi Devi from Cuttack, it was nearly a three months long tussle to collect money from her near and dear ones. “I even cannot think of terminating the brata in the wake of a possible financial crunch,” she said.
As per religious rituals, they install a chaura (Tulasi plant) called Brundabati in front of their accommodation to conduct religious practices in the morning. The bratadharis (vowed ones) use tulasi mala as necklace and for chanting sacred mantras especially the Hare Krishna mahamantra.
Prayers, chanting and clash of cymbals demonstrate a deep sense of devotion to Lord Jagannath. After returning from the temple, they recite the Kartik Mahatmya, a religious text, sitting around the chaura. They take cooked mahaprasad once in a day in the late evening before retiring to bed. Barring a few, most of these bratadharis hail from lower economic strata of the society and collect fund from family members and friends for the holy sojourn.
Rama Devi, an octogenarian widow with thick glasses and a wrinkled face with a bent spine, also observed the brata despite her physical constraints. She said that even her sons and grandsons opposed her from proceeding to Puri for the brata in view of her poor health. Since the last 30 years she has been coming to Puri to have a darshan of the Lord and observe the holy brata.
She prays the Lord to allow her to die in the sacred Sri Kshetra Dham and get cremated in the Swargadwar. Srinibas Mishra who gives religious discourses to the devotees in the temple premises during the holy month said that the bratadharis sit for hours together listening to the sermons of the text with rapt attention and pay him for his service.
Loknath Suar, a temple cook said that huge quantities of mahaprasad is cooked everyday and offered in bhands (special bhogs) in view of great demand among the widows. We have men called bojhias who carry mahaprasad on their head and deliver to the monthly enrolled devotees at minimum rate, he said.
The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration has rescheduled the various rites and rituals of Lord Jagannath to allow more time to devotees for darshan of the three deities. Offering of special bhog or cooked mahaprasad is allowed a number of times in order to provide the same to the devotees. Servitors are asked to work overtime while special attention is given to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the temple premises. Police arrangements have been beefed up in and around the temple on the eve of Kartik Purnima, sources said.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pension for divorcee Hindu women sought
BHUBANESWAR: The Talaki Mahila Sahayata Samittee , an organisation fighting for the welfare of divorcee women, has demanded Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to formulate a new policy to provide pension to Hindu divorcee women to help them live with dignity.
TMSS secretary Mahe Afroj Begum said though there was a provision for giving pension to Muslim women divorcees, there was no such provision for Hindu women.
Hundreds of divorcees of both Hindu and Muslim communities, under the banner of TMSS, held a demonstration in front of the state Assembly in support of their demands.
Addressing the demonstration Ms Begum also demanded the Chief Minister to make budgetary allocation in the Supplementary budget for providing pension to 547 women as per the Muslim Women Protection Rights on Divorce Act, 1986. The court had recommended the state government to make provision of Rs 26 lakh for the purpose.
The Samittee also demanded the state government to construct a shelter home for divorcee women at Bhubaneswar and provide 10 per cent reservation for their socio-economic development.
Allotment of houses under Indira Awas Yojana, BPL card and inclusion of the divorcees in the Annapurna scheme were the other demands of the Samitee.
By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Talaki Mahila Sahayata Samittee , an organisation fighting for the welfare of divorcee women, has demanded Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to formulate a new policy to provide pension to Hindu divorcee women to help them live with dignity.
TMSS secretary Mahe Afroj Begum said though there was a provision for giving pension to Muslim women divorcees, there was no such provision for Hindu women.
Hundreds of divorcees of both Hindu and Muslim communities, under the banner of TMSS, held a demonstration in front of the state Assembly in support of their demands.
Addressing the demonstration Ms Begum also demanded the Chief Minister to make budgetary allocation in the Supplementary budget for providing pension to 547 women as per the Muslim Women Protection Rights on Divorce Act, 1986. The court had recommended the state government to make provision of Rs 26 lakh for the purpose.
The Samittee also demanded the state government to construct a shelter home for divorcee women at Bhubaneswar and provide 10 per cent reservation for their socio-economic development.
Allotment of houses under Indira Awas Yojana, BPL card and inclusion of the divorcees in the Annapurna scheme were the other demands of the Samitee.
TMSS secretary Mahe Afroj Begum said though there was a provision for giving pension to Muslim women divorcees, there was no such provision for Hindu women.
Hundreds of divorcees of both Hindu and Muslim communities, under the banner of TMSS, held a demonstration in front of the state Assembly in support of their demands.
Addressing the demonstration Ms Begum also demanded the Chief Minister to make budgetary allocation in the Supplementary budget for providing pension to 547 women as per the Muslim Women Protection Rights on Divorce Act, 1986. The court had recommended the state government to make provision of Rs 26 lakh for the purpose.
The Samittee also demanded the state government to construct a shelter home for divorcee women at Bhubaneswar and provide 10 per cent reservation for their socio-economic development.
Allotment of houses under Indira Awas Yojana, BPL card and inclusion of the divorcees in the Annapurna scheme were the other demands of the Samitee.
By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Talaki Mahila Sahayata Samittee , an organisation fighting for the welfare of divorcee women, has demanded Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to formulate a new policy to provide pension to Hindu divorcee women to help them live with dignity.
TMSS secretary Mahe Afroj Begum said though there was a provision for giving pension to Muslim women divorcees, there was no such provision for Hindu women.
Hundreds of divorcees of both Hindu and Muslim communities, under the banner of TMSS, held a demonstration in front of the state Assembly in support of their demands.
Addressing the demonstration Ms Begum also demanded the Chief Minister to make budgetary allocation in the Supplementary budget for providing pension to 547 women as per the Muslim Women Protection Rights on Divorce Act, 1986. The court had recommended the state government to make provision of Rs 26 lakh for the purpose.
The Samittee also demanded the state government to construct a shelter home for divorcee women at Bhubaneswar and provide 10 per cent reservation for their socio-economic development.
Allotment of houses under Indira Awas Yojana, BPL card and inclusion of the divorcees in the Annapurna scheme were the other demands of the Samitee.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Kashmir Police killed Hindu youth for marrying a Muslim girl
Kashmir Police killed Hindu youth for marrying a Muslim
SRI NAGAR: Anchal accused her father Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi and two brothers of hatching a conspiracy with the police to eliminate her husband. “One of my brothers, a doctor, may flee to Australia. Arrest him before he leaves the country. My father had bribed the Kashmir police to kill my husband,” she said.
A Jammu based Hindu youth was tortured to death by Kashmir police in the custody at the Munshi Bagh police station, the only fault of the deceased identified as Rajnish Sharma r/o Sarwal Jammu was that he dared to love and marry a Kashmiri Muslim girl Amina Yousuf.
Rajnish Sharma, 29, a Jammu resident, was picked up by the cops a few days ago after he married a Srinagar girl, Anchal Sharma alias Amina Yousuf, 25, who had converted to the boy’s faith and changed her name. Things went horribly wrong when Rajnish reportedly died under mysterious circumstances at the Munshi Bagh police station. The death of a youth in custody of the Srinagar police on October 6 night triggered violent protests by his family members and relatives.
To make matters worse, the police in an embarrassing goof up announced it had identified the youth who was arrested as Pawan Sharma, the deceased’s younger brother, adding the police papers sent for the postmortem examination were in his name. However, the deceased’s real identity came to light only when his family members saw his body.
Rajnish, whose business dealt in aluminum doors and windows, had married Amina in a Jammu court on August 21 and the same day the couple also tied the nuptial knot in a temple in Janipur here.
However, Pawan, who was missing since September 29, suddenly turned up at the morgue to take possession of his brother’s body, claimed the police deliberately used his (Pawan’s) name to eliminate his younger brother. “After marrying Anchal on August 21 Rajnish had come to my house in Rehari on August 29. He told me about stiff opposition to his interfaith marriage put up by Anchal’s family. On September 29 the police searched my house at around 1.30 am. Though I managed to give the cops a slip they arrested my brother”, said Pawan.
Anchal Sharma, alias Amina Yousuf, in her in-laws’ house, accused her parents of killing her husband and demanded that a murder case be lodged against them.
Breaking down, she said she not only lost her husband but also the baby inside her womb. “When the police raided my brother-in-law Pawan’s house in Rehari on September 29, I tried to escape in panic. But in the process stumbled and lost my baby,” she said.
“I changed my religion and married Rajnish out of my own choice. There was no pressure on me,” the 25-year-old girl said.
“We were in love for the past five years and, in fact, I forced Rajnish to marry me,” said a wailing Anchal sitting close to her husband’s body.
“We married before a Jammu court and solemnised our marriage at an Arya Samaj mandir on August 21. Since then we had been on the run to save our lives,” she added.
Anchal accused her father Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi and two brothers of hatching a conspiracy with the police to eliminate her husband.
“One of my brothers, a doctor, may flee to Australia. Arrest him before he leaves the country. My father had bribed the Kashmir police to kill my husband,” she said. She also refused to go back to her parental house in Srinagar and now wants to live with her in-laws.
Demanding justice a wailing Raj Kumari, Rajnish’s mother, said that her son was brutally murdered and could not have committed suicide.
Bajrang Dal (BD) national convenor, Parkash Sharma along with Nand Kishore Mishra, convenor state, and Sushil Sudhan, president Bharatiya Jan Sewa Niyas also visited the residence of Rajnish Sharma to express their sympathy with the bereaved family and assured all support to them on behalf of the Bajrang Dal.
While strongly condemning the killing of Rajnish in police custody at Srinagar he said his death was the result of a pre-planned conspiracy and demanded that the case be registered against the police officers, and parents of the girl. He expressed serious concern over the stoic silence which has been maintained by the activists of civil liberties, human rights activits and so-called secularists on the issue. Had the member of any other community been killed in this way, a hue and cry would have been made by these organisations all over, he added. He also criticised the State Government for delaying the action against the culprits.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) told that there is no example of such brutality in last 20 years of terrorism in J&K, the way innocent Jammu youth Rajnish Sharma was killed in Police custody recently in Srinagar.
He demanded that the police officers involved in this heinous crime be brought to book immediately. He said the assurance given by the authorities of taking action against the cops is only an eyewash as nothing has been done practically in this regard.
He, while criticising the police said its records still mention the youth who was killed as Pawan Sharma instead of his brother Rajnish Sharma. This is a grave negligence and irresponsibility on the part of Police Department.
Reiterating his demand of CBI inquiry in the matter, Dr Dubey said that the probe ordered by State Government is not acceptable to Jammuites. He warned in case of any delay in taking action against the guilty officers, the people will be forced to launch agitation
In its report, the Board of Doctors, which conducted second post-mortem on the body in Jammu, said, "The post-mortem report has confirmed multiple marks of torture and injuries all over the body of the youth. There were many other injuries on the body which are of multiple dissection that indicates torture".
It said there were some severe marks of burns on the body which the doctors couldn’t conclude as to whether they were electric shocks or cigarette butts. For a firm opinion to establish electric torture marks or cigarette butts, the body cells of Rajnish Sharma have been sent to Pathology Department for further tests.
It may be recalled that the people had held massive protests in Sarwal against the killing of Rajnish Sharma in police custody. It was only after the Government announced compensation and jobs for the family that body of the youth was cremated after three days long protests.
It may be mentioned here that only two constables of Ram Munshi Bagh police station have been suspended while the SHO has just been attached to District Police Lines (DPL) in a cover up by Srinagar Police to shield the accused.
SRI NAGAR: Anchal accused her father Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi and two brothers of hatching a conspiracy with the police to eliminate her husband. “One of my brothers, a doctor, may flee to Australia. Arrest him before he leaves the country. My father had bribed the Kashmir police to kill my husband,” she said.
A Jammu based Hindu youth was tortured to death by Kashmir police in the custody at the Munshi Bagh police station, the only fault of the deceased identified as Rajnish Sharma r/o Sarwal Jammu was that he dared to love and marry a Kashmiri Muslim girl Amina Yousuf.
Rajnish Sharma, 29, a Jammu resident, was picked up by the cops a few days ago after he married a Srinagar girl, Anchal Sharma alias Amina Yousuf, 25, who had converted to the boy’s faith and changed her name. Things went horribly wrong when Rajnish reportedly died under mysterious circumstances at the Munshi Bagh police station. The death of a youth in custody of the Srinagar police on October 6 night triggered violent protests by his family members and relatives.
To make matters worse, the police in an embarrassing goof up announced it had identified the youth who was arrested as Pawan Sharma, the deceased’s younger brother, adding the police papers sent for the postmortem examination were in his name. However, the deceased’s real identity came to light only when his family members saw his body.
Rajnish, whose business dealt in aluminum doors and windows, had married Amina in a Jammu court on August 21 and the same day the couple also tied the nuptial knot in a temple in Janipur here.
However, Pawan, who was missing since September 29, suddenly turned up at the morgue to take possession of his brother’s body, claimed the police deliberately used his (Pawan’s) name to eliminate his younger brother. “After marrying Anchal on August 21 Rajnish had come to my house in Rehari on August 29. He told me about stiff opposition to his interfaith marriage put up by Anchal’s family. On September 29 the police searched my house at around 1.30 am. Though I managed to give the cops a slip they arrested my brother”, said Pawan.
Anchal Sharma, alias Amina Yousuf, in her in-laws’ house, accused her parents of killing her husband and demanded that a murder case be lodged against them.
Breaking down, she said she not only lost her husband but also the baby inside her womb. “When the police raided my brother-in-law Pawan’s house in Rehari on September 29, I tried to escape in panic. But in the process stumbled and lost my baby,” she said.
“I changed my religion and married Rajnish out of my own choice. There was no pressure on me,” the 25-year-old girl said.
“We were in love for the past five years and, in fact, I forced Rajnish to marry me,” said a wailing Anchal sitting close to her husband’s body.
“We married before a Jammu court and solemnised our marriage at an Arya Samaj mandir on August 21. Since then we had been on the run to save our lives,” she added.
Anchal accused her father Mohammed Yousuf Mirazi and two brothers of hatching a conspiracy with the police to eliminate her husband.
“One of my brothers, a doctor, may flee to Australia. Arrest him before he leaves the country. My father had bribed the Kashmir police to kill my husband,” she said. She also refused to go back to her parental house in Srinagar and now wants to live with her in-laws.
Demanding justice a wailing Raj Kumari, Rajnish’s mother, said that her son was brutally murdered and could not have committed suicide.
Bajrang Dal (BD) national convenor, Parkash Sharma along with Nand Kishore Mishra, convenor state, and Sushil Sudhan, president Bharatiya Jan Sewa Niyas also visited the residence of Rajnish Sharma to express their sympathy with the bereaved family and assured all support to them on behalf of the Bajrang Dal.
While strongly condemning the killing of Rajnish in police custody at Srinagar he said his death was the result of a pre-planned conspiracy and demanded that the case be registered against the police officers, and parents of the girl. He expressed serious concern over the stoic silence which has been maintained by the activists of civil liberties, human rights activits and so-called secularists on the issue. Had the member of any other community been killed in this way, a hue and cry would have been made by these organisations all over, he added. He also criticised the State Government for delaying the action against the culprits.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) told that there is no example of such brutality in last 20 years of terrorism in J&K, the way innocent Jammu youth Rajnish Sharma was killed in Police custody recently in Srinagar.
He demanded that the police officers involved in this heinous crime be brought to book immediately. He said the assurance given by the authorities of taking action against the cops is only an eyewash as nothing has been done practically in this regard.
He, while criticising the police said its records still mention the youth who was killed as Pawan Sharma instead of his brother Rajnish Sharma. This is a grave negligence and irresponsibility on the part of Police Department.
Reiterating his demand of CBI inquiry in the matter, Dr Dubey said that the probe ordered by State Government is not acceptable to Jammuites. He warned in case of any delay in taking action against the guilty officers, the people will be forced to launch agitation
In its report, the Board of Doctors, which conducted second post-mortem on the body in Jammu, said, "The post-mortem report has confirmed multiple marks of torture and injuries all over the body of the youth. There were many other injuries on the body which are of multiple dissection that indicates torture".
It said there were some severe marks of burns on the body which the doctors couldn’t conclude as to whether they were electric shocks or cigarette butts. For a firm opinion to establish electric torture marks or cigarette butts, the body cells of Rajnish Sharma have been sent to Pathology Department for further tests.
It may be recalled that the people had held massive protests in Sarwal against the killing of Rajnish Sharma in police custody. It was only after the Government announced compensation and jobs for the family that body of the youth was cremated after three days long protests.
It may be mentioned here that only two constables of Ram Munshi Bagh police station have been suspended while the SHO has just been attached to District Police Lines (DPL) in a cover up by Srinagar Police to shield the accused.
Friday, October 16, 2009
BPL list
Fresh BPL list in three months
BHUBANESWAR: Orissa Government on Friday announced that it would conduct a fresh survey to figure out people living below poverty line in three months.
The decision was taken a high level meeting of District Collectors chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The survey would be conducted basing on 13 factors. The meeting also decided to include AIDs patients under this scheme.
According to survey done in 1997, there are 44.97 lakhs House Hold (HH) in the BPL list. Survey taken up in 2002 covered 77.40 lakh families and the list is yet to be finalized. Panchayati Raj Minister Prafulla Samal, Civil Supplies Minister Sarada Nayak, Chief Secretary TK Mishra and several other senior officials attended the meet.
However the Government of India has allowed 38 lakh HH in the BPL list. Over the years war of words continues over the BPL list between the State Government and Government of India.
This time photograph even biometric details will be gathered to prevent ‘ghost’ will be collected, covering at least 80 lakh families, sources said
Meanwhile, a Study by Union Rural Development Ministry has found that the BPL population in Orissa has reached at 84.47 per cent as against the 47 per cent stated by the Naveen Patnaik led BJD Government here. The Ministry had constituted a 17-member Expert Group headed by N C Saxena to advise it on the methodology for conducting the BPL census for the 11th Five Year Plan.
Several other key issues were discussed and feedbacks were also taken from the District Collectors on various Government schemes. In its report, the Expert Group has said that the percentage of rural population that is poor and not able to satisfy the minimum required calorie needs or consume the minimum cereal required for healthy living is far greater than the present cut-off line of 28.3 per cent for the country and 47 per cent for Orissa.
The committee recommended that the percentage of people entitled to BPL status should be drastically revised to at least 50 per cent in the country, which means a corresponding to a calories intake of 2.10 kilo calories a day as well as on a minimum cereal consumption of 12.25 kg per month.
Incidentally, 2.10 kilo calories were considered minimum for a healthy person living in urban areas in 1973-74.State Panchayatiraj Department officials said the national jump form 28.3 to 50 per cent may appear significant, but in reality it may not be so.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
ABPS prasthav ,Patana
Resolution – 1
Strengthen Border Security
The Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal views recent developments along Bharat-Tibet (China occupied) border with grave concern. Several news reports, which have subsequently been confirmed by responsible sections in our security establishment, have highlighted relentless campaign by the expansionist China to encroach upon our territory.
These reports confirm that there were 270 Line of Control violations and 2,285 instances of “aggressive border patrolling” by the People's Liberation Army of China last year alone. It is a sad commentary on our political dispensation that instead of cautioning the countrymen over the evil designs of our adversary there were efforts to gag the voices of caution by trying to take action against the media and blatantly trying to underplay the looming danger. It is disheartening and demoralising to see our leaders making defeatist statements about our preparedness against the Chinese’ aggressive maneuvers.
It is unfortunate that our response to the bullying tactics of the countries around us has always been lackluster. Except for the historic decision of providing asylum to
HH the Dalai Lama our handling of the Tibetan question has all along been a series of blunders ending up in practically endorsing Chinese annexation of that sovereign and independent country. China went on to occupy Aksai Chin region of Ladakh in the 50s. The Chinese’ designs for further annexation of our territory have resulted in humiliating compromises from our side on Sumdorong Chu Valley in 1987. Emboldened by our timidity the Chinese have now started making claims over entire Arunachal Pradesh.
The ABKM views Bharat’s response to these acts of aggression grossly inadequate and calls upon the Government to take immediate steps to strengthen our borders on
Bharat-Tibet side as well as other borders like the maritime border, Bharat-Pak and Bharat-Bangladesh border. It is necessary to enhance the response capability of our forces on the Bharat-Tibet border in the face of the huge military build up and infrastructure building by China on the other side.
The Chinese have deployed three Es – Engagement, Encirclement and Encouragement of our enemies – as their tactical weapons to harass Bharat. They have developed
Coco Islands Listening Post in South Myanmar into a full-fledged military base. They are building a commercial port in Sri Lanka while the Gwadar military port in the
Sindh Province of Pakistan built by them is ready for operations. They are using
Bharat-Tibet border for military provocations while the Bharat-Myanmar border is being used by them to support the terrorist and anti-national elements in the North-East.
They even started talking about dismemberment of Bharat.
The ABKM regrets that the pussyfooting of our Government is resulting in not only the setbacks on territory front but also on the diplomatic front. China has succeeded in raking up Arunachal Pradesh issue in the Asian Development Bank with a view to scuttle our efforts to secure loans for developmental activity in that state. It unsuccessfully tried to prevent the Nuclear Supplier Group countries from lifting sanctions against our country.
The ABKM wants to remind the Government that it must proceed in the spirit of the
14 November 1962 unanimous resolution of our Parliament in which it was categorically stated that the territory annexed by China must be brought back. Our Government should tell the counterparts in China that they must vacate the land annexed in the western sector and make no claims over the remaining sectors. It should be asked to honour the McMahon Line as Bharat’s international border in the same manner as it has accepted it as the border between Myanmar and itself.
It is shocking to hear that the Chinese have been issuing paper Visas to our citizens from Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir. Through this provocative act they want to show that they don’t recognize Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir as integral parts of Bharat. The ABKM demands that the Government issue orders to the immigration authorities forthwith banning the use of such Visas for leaving our country. Such stern steps, coupled with aggressive diplomacy, will only yield favourable results with China.
The ABKM wants to underscore similar concerns on Bharat-Pak front also. Especially of great shock to the nation is the joint statement of the Prime Ministers of Bharat and Pakistan at Sharm-el-Sheik on 9 July 2009. Many experts and leaders from across the political spectrum have pointed out the huge diplomatic goof-up in that statement by way of the inclusion of Baluchisthan issue and our readiness to resume talks with Pakistan
in spite of it continuing to indulge in cross-border terror.
The ABKM demands that on Pakistan too our Government should follow the spirit of the 22 February 1994 unanimous resolution of our Parliament that the only outstanding issue is the return of the PoK to Bharat.
The ABKM registers its appreciation for our soldiers and officers for their valiant efforts to secure our borders and calls upon the countrymen to be ever-vigilant to ensure that the Government does everything possible to safeguard our territorial integrity and
self-respect.
&&&&&
Resolution – 2
Global Environment Crisis and Bharatiya view
The seamless rhythm of nature unwinding over millennia is suddenly being disturbed during the last few decades. The Akhil Bharaiya Karyakari Mandal expresses its deep concern over the serious global environmental crisis as evident from increasing water scarcity, air pollution, continuous erosion of forests and bio-diversity which is the outcome of growing worldwide consumerism and unrestrained consumption of natural resources.
This imbalance in the nature’s cycle is the direct result of the western individualistic worldview based on tenets like ‘struggle for existence’ and ‘exploitation of nature’. It is this worldview that has resulted in developed countries with only 16% of world population emitting more than half of total Carbon Dioxide emissions. With a mere
4% of world population the USA alone is responsible for 25% of CO2 emissions. The resultant rise in global temperature is expected to be anywhere between 2.5º F – 10º F in the twenty first century as against 0.7º F to 1.4º F in the twentieth century. Destruction of bio-diversity, depletion of ozone layer, increasing epidemics and melting of polar ice which may lead to the rise in sea levels from 0.2 – 1.5 meters inundating large chunks of land areas are some of the serious threats on the horizon as a result of this global warming.
In our country too, the same flawed lifestyle is leading to imbalance in the nature’s cycle. Today, the forest cover in Bharat is about 20% in place of mandated 33%. 80% of the diseases in Bharat are the direct outcome of polluted drinking water and lack of hygiene because over 75% of the population is forced to use polluted drinking water. Every year, half of the districts in the country are affected either by drought or floods. Continually depleting groundwater levels, increasing temperatures in summer, thousands of acres of agriculture land becoming saline and toxic due to uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are some of the warning signals. No ebb is in sight to the diseases caused by unabated air pollution, sound pollution and water pollution due to industries in Metro cities and the menace of growing hazardous waste generated from thermocoal and plastic because of the 'Use and throw ' culture.
The present worldview is at the root of this global environmental crisis. Unless the reductionist and mechanistic worldview is negated, no solution will be in sight. Lifestyle based on 'Tena Tyaktena Bhunjeethah' (restrained consumption) coupled with a holistic and integral worldview is the necessity of the day. The ABKM is of the considered opinion that the Hindu worldview of integrated approach to humans, ecology and living creatures, gratitude towards ‘Panchamahabhootas’ (five universal elements viz Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space), belief in the concept of ‘Mother Earth’ and conservation of Water-Soil-Forests and the wildlife is crucial for a balanced ecology and nature. This worldview is being accepted globally also.
The ABKM is of the opinion that a positive initiative from policy makers and the society is essential for this. Articles 48A and 51A of our Constitution mandate both the citizens and State to protect environment, water sources and wildlife as their duty. In this context, it is pertinent to note that obstructing the flow of a river – a major source of water – severely endangers the environment.
Customs like worshipping of rivers and trees in our tradition are the manifestation of our holistic worldview. Martyrdom of Imartidevi along with 363 people to oppose cutting of trees in Rajasthan about 370 years back is its living testimony. Efforts for
environmental protection like the Chipko movement of independent Bharat and present
‘Vruksha – Laksha’ movement in Karnataka are worthy of emulation.
The ABKM appeals to the central and state governments to
take appropriate measures for preservation and development of water resources in the country
conserve soil by the restoration of natural and organic farming through the use of organic manure
make special plans for preservation of ecology of Himalayas and other mountain ranges
develop various alternative energy sources
take stringent measures against industries polluting water and air and take steps to put an end to the pollution in all the rivers like Ganga and Yamuna
to ensure continuous flow of river Ganga while implementing any project.
Appropriate policy based on community participation should be adopted in all such issues related to environment and development keeping in mind our social and cultural values. So also no unjust and inappropriate international treaty on such issues should be accepted.
The ABKM appeals to all the citizens including swayamsevaks that instead of depending on the government alone they should voluntarily initiate measures for water conservation, minimal use of plastic and electricity, afforestation etc. Care should be taken to ensure that no pollution or ecological imbalance is caused due to our customs. Let us contribute in this awareness campaign through our own example and collaborating with various initiatives of environment protection in the country.
Resolution – 3
Make Village the Focus for National Development
All great men who dreamt about prosperous and self reliant Bharat have stressed that the soul of Bharat lives in villages and that the real path of progress for our country is possible only through the well being of villages. Mahatma Gandhi in 'Hind Swaraj' and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay in his conception of Ekatma Manav Darshan emphasized the same. Based on this conception, eminent social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh has successfully achieved integrated rural development of several villages in and around Chitrakoot. Eminent thinker Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia also gave an outline of prosperous Bharat based on rural development. Even during freedom struggle, Gandhiji had observed that a day would come when not only Bharat but the entire world would have to make village a focal point of development for attaining real freedom and contentment. For this he visualized making villages of Bharat Gokuls, through cow, agriculture and village industries.
The present global economic crisis and environmental hazards have put a question mark on the western life style in its entirety. The end of socialism and the failure of capitalism are making the intellectuals throughout the world to seek a new approach for development. Humanity is in search of a new path for material and spiritual upliftment. Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal firmly believes that only Bharat can pave such a path. This belief is based on Hindu way of life based on harmony between man, society and nature which has been followed successfully for thousands of years. On the basis of such social structure, we could establish a most prosperous and developed civilization in the past; self reliant villages were the basic units of the social structure and necessity based production was the order of the day and wants were limited.
After independence, we gave up this basic vision and adopted Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based development model which lost credibility now in the western world itself. Rural economy got continuously neglected; agriculture became non-remunerative and village artisans and cottage industries were neglected. Due to lack of employment opportunities, proper health, educational and infrastructural facilities and onslaught of decadent western culture through TV and cinema, there has been mass exodus of people from villages to cities. By establishing facilities for processing and marketing of raw materials in villages and linking them with rural entrepreneurship, this exodus from villages could have been stopped. This neglect had disastrous effect on the rural economy. Continuous decline in rural investment and five year plan allocations are clear pointers to this neglect resulting in lack of funds for comprehensive development of rural infrastructure and agriculture based rural industries, and research and development facilities for agriculture. It is imperative for the government to provide for quality education relevant for villages, health services, employment opportunities, infrastructural facilities and create such modern models of development of villages which are ecofriendly and promote social harmony facilitating national integrity and progress.
ABKM is clearly of the opinion that cow-centric, organic and natural farming based village model supported by artisanship and rural industries can provide sustainable development for Param Vaibhav Bharat. Several experiments have indicated that organic farming can increase farm output. Research is also being conducted at several higher scientific institutions on integration of traditional knowledge with modern science to enhance quality of life in villages. Today materialism and greed are destroying social fabric and family. Cultural degradation is the natural consequence of this.
Rural reconstruction suited to the modern age based on simple living and sacrifice (thyag) is the only alternative. Cow connects us to our surroundings. Cow-centred village pattern in tune with nature, will not only be more profitable because it is not capital and machine based, but also will increase land fertility by use of natural fertilisers and pestcontrols. Gobar gas can also be alternative energy source. Panchagavya (milk, curd, ghee, Gomutra and Gobar), milk products and other medicines made from Gomutra can improve the economic standing of the villagers. For most of the farmers, plough based, or non-tilling (natural) agricultural will become a better option. Thus cow improves village life and is an important contributor for improving agricultural productivity.
This kind of self-reliant village system can effectively solve the economic and environmental problems. By crop rotation, use of green fertilisers, organic manures and pestcontrols, giving priority to traditional water resources like ponds, wells etc., and use of appropriate technology, it is possible to rejuvenate rural capabilities. Nature based and decentralised use of energy will not only reduce energy crisis, but will also decrease carbon emission levels. 'Vishwa Mangala Go Grama Yatra' organized by Saints and Dharmacharyas is a great endeavour for national awakening to tap this immense potential. ABKM welcomes this great effort.
ABKM urges the Central government to create a blue print for self reliant village based economy instead of populist slogans and plans. ABKM calls upon the society at large to leave behind complexes and build a prosperous Bharat based on village prosperity and calls upon the people for ‘Chalen Gram Ki Aur’ — March towards Villages.
Strengthen Border Security
The Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal views recent developments along Bharat-Tibet (China occupied) border with grave concern. Several news reports, which have subsequently been confirmed by responsible sections in our security establishment, have highlighted relentless campaign by the expansionist China to encroach upon our territory.
These reports confirm that there were 270 Line of Control violations and 2,285 instances of “aggressive border patrolling” by the People's Liberation Army of China last year alone. It is a sad commentary on our political dispensation that instead of cautioning the countrymen over the evil designs of our adversary there were efforts to gag the voices of caution by trying to take action against the media and blatantly trying to underplay the looming danger. It is disheartening and demoralising to see our leaders making defeatist statements about our preparedness against the Chinese’ aggressive maneuvers.
It is unfortunate that our response to the bullying tactics of the countries around us has always been lackluster. Except for the historic decision of providing asylum to
HH the Dalai Lama our handling of the Tibetan question has all along been a series of blunders ending up in practically endorsing Chinese annexation of that sovereign and independent country. China went on to occupy Aksai Chin region of Ladakh in the 50s. The Chinese’ designs for further annexation of our territory have resulted in humiliating compromises from our side on Sumdorong Chu Valley in 1987. Emboldened by our timidity the Chinese have now started making claims over entire Arunachal Pradesh.
The ABKM views Bharat’s response to these acts of aggression grossly inadequate and calls upon the Government to take immediate steps to strengthen our borders on
Bharat-Tibet side as well as other borders like the maritime border, Bharat-Pak and Bharat-Bangladesh border. It is necessary to enhance the response capability of our forces on the Bharat-Tibet border in the face of the huge military build up and infrastructure building by China on the other side.
The Chinese have deployed three Es – Engagement, Encirclement and Encouragement of our enemies – as their tactical weapons to harass Bharat. They have developed
Coco Islands Listening Post in South Myanmar into a full-fledged military base. They are building a commercial port in Sri Lanka while the Gwadar military port in the
Sindh Province of Pakistan built by them is ready for operations. They are using
Bharat-Tibet border for military provocations while the Bharat-Myanmar border is being used by them to support the terrorist and anti-national elements in the North-East.
They even started talking about dismemberment of Bharat.
The ABKM regrets that the pussyfooting of our Government is resulting in not only the setbacks on territory front but also on the diplomatic front. China has succeeded in raking up Arunachal Pradesh issue in the Asian Development Bank with a view to scuttle our efforts to secure loans for developmental activity in that state. It unsuccessfully tried to prevent the Nuclear Supplier Group countries from lifting sanctions against our country.
The ABKM wants to remind the Government that it must proceed in the spirit of the
14 November 1962 unanimous resolution of our Parliament in which it was categorically stated that the territory annexed by China must be brought back. Our Government should tell the counterparts in China that they must vacate the land annexed in the western sector and make no claims over the remaining sectors. It should be asked to honour the McMahon Line as Bharat’s international border in the same manner as it has accepted it as the border between Myanmar and itself.
It is shocking to hear that the Chinese have been issuing paper Visas to our citizens from Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir. Through this provocative act they want to show that they don’t recognize Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir as integral parts of Bharat. The ABKM demands that the Government issue orders to the immigration authorities forthwith banning the use of such Visas for leaving our country. Such stern steps, coupled with aggressive diplomacy, will only yield favourable results with China.
The ABKM wants to underscore similar concerns on Bharat-Pak front also. Especially of great shock to the nation is the joint statement of the Prime Ministers of Bharat and Pakistan at Sharm-el-Sheik on 9 July 2009. Many experts and leaders from across the political spectrum have pointed out the huge diplomatic goof-up in that statement by way of the inclusion of Baluchisthan issue and our readiness to resume talks with Pakistan
in spite of it continuing to indulge in cross-border terror.
The ABKM demands that on Pakistan too our Government should follow the spirit of the 22 February 1994 unanimous resolution of our Parliament that the only outstanding issue is the return of the PoK to Bharat.
The ABKM registers its appreciation for our soldiers and officers for their valiant efforts to secure our borders and calls upon the countrymen to be ever-vigilant to ensure that the Government does everything possible to safeguard our territorial integrity and
self-respect.
&&&&&
Resolution – 2
Global Environment Crisis and Bharatiya view
The seamless rhythm of nature unwinding over millennia is suddenly being disturbed during the last few decades. The Akhil Bharaiya Karyakari Mandal expresses its deep concern over the serious global environmental crisis as evident from increasing water scarcity, air pollution, continuous erosion of forests and bio-diversity which is the outcome of growing worldwide consumerism and unrestrained consumption of natural resources.
This imbalance in the nature’s cycle is the direct result of the western individualistic worldview based on tenets like ‘struggle for existence’ and ‘exploitation of nature’. It is this worldview that has resulted in developed countries with only 16% of world population emitting more than half of total Carbon Dioxide emissions. With a mere
4% of world population the USA alone is responsible for 25% of CO2 emissions. The resultant rise in global temperature is expected to be anywhere between 2.5º F – 10º F in the twenty first century as against 0.7º F to 1.4º F in the twentieth century. Destruction of bio-diversity, depletion of ozone layer, increasing epidemics and melting of polar ice which may lead to the rise in sea levels from 0.2 – 1.5 meters inundating large chunks of land areas are some of the serious threats on the horizon as a result of this global warming.
In our country too, the same flawed lifestyle is leading to imbalance in the nature’s cycle. Today, the forest cover in Bharat is about 20% in place of mandated 33%. 80% of the diseases in Bharat are the direct outcome of polluted drinking water and lack of hygiene because over 75% of the population is forced to use polluted drinking water. Every year, half of the districts in the country are affected either by drought or floods. Continually depleting groundwater levels, increasing temperatures in summer, thousands of acres of agriculture land becoming saline and toxic due to uncontrolled use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are some of the warning signals. No ebb is in sight to the diseases caused by unabated air pollution, sound pollution and water pollution due to industries in Metro cities and the menace of growing hazardous waste generated from thermocoal and plastic because of the 'Use and throw ' culture.
The present worldview is at the root of this global environmental crisis. Unless the reductionist and mechanistic worldview is negated, no solution will be in sight. Lifestyle based on 'Tena Tyaktena Bhunjeethah' (restrained consumption) coupled with a holistic and integral worldview is the necessity of the day. The ABKM is of the considered opinion that the Hindu worldview of integrated approach to humans, ecology and living creatures, gratitude towards ‘Panchamahabhootas’ (five universal elements viz Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space), belief in the concept of ‘Mother Earth’ and conservation of Water-Soil-Forests and the wildlife is crucial for a balanced ecology and nature. This worldview is being accepted globally also.
The ABKM is of the opinion that a positive initiative from policy makers and the society is essential for this. Articles 48A and 51A of our Constitution mandate both the citizens and State to protect environment, water sources and wildlife as their duty. In this context, it is pertinent to note that obstructing the flow of a river – a major source of water – severely endangers the environment.
Customs like worshipping of rivers and trees in our tradition are the manifestation of our holistic worldview. Martyrdom of Imartidevi along with 363 people to oppose cutting of trees in Rajasthan about 370 years back is its living testimony. Efforts for
environmental protection like the Chipko movement of independent Bharat and present
‘Vruksha – Laksha’ movement in Karnataka are worthy of emulation.
The ABKM appeals to the central and state governments to
take appropriate measures for preservation and development of water resources in the country
conserve soil by the restoration of natural and organic farming through the use of organic manure
make special plans for preservation of ecology of Himalayas and other mountain ranges
develop various alternative energy sources
take stringent measures against industries polluting water and air and take steps to put an end to the pollution in all the rivers like Ganga and Yamuna
to ensure continuous flow of river Ganga while implementing any project.
Appropriate policy based on community participation should be adopted in all such issues related to environment and development keeping in mind our social and cultural values. So also no unjust and inappropriate international treaty on such issues should be accepted.
The ABKM appeals to all the citizens including swayamsevaks that instead of depending on the government alone they should voluntarily initiate measures for water conservation, minimal use of plastic and electricity, afforestation etc. Care should be taken to ensure that no pollution or ecological imbalance is caused due to our customs. Let us contribute in this awareness campaign through our own example and collaborating with various initiatives of environment protection in the country.
Resolution – 3
Make Village the Focus for National Development
All great men who dreamt about prosperous and self reliant Bharat have stressed that the soul of Bharat lives in villages and that the real path of progress for our country is possible only through the well being of villages. Mahatma Gandhi in 'Hind Swaraj' and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay in his conception of Ekatma Manav Darshan emphasized the same. Based on this conception, eminent social worker Shri Nanaji Deshmukh has successfully achieved integrated rural development of several villages in and around Chitrakoot. Eminent thinker Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia also gave an outline of prosperous Bharat based on rural development. Even during freedom struggle, Gandhiji had observed that a day would come when not only Bharat but the entire world would have to make village a focal point of development for attaining real freedom and contentment. For this he visualized making villages of Bharat Gokuls, through cow, agriculture and village industries.
The present global economic crisis and environmental hazards have put a question mark on the western life style in its entirety. The end of socialism and the failure of capitalism are making the intellectuals throughout the world to seek a new approach for development. Humanity is in search of a new path for material and spiritual upliftment. Akhil Bharatiya Karyakari Mandal firmly believes that only Bharat can pave such a path. This belief is based on Hindu way of life based on harmony between man, society and nature which has been followed successfully for thousands of years. On the basis of such social structure, we could establish a most prosperous and developed civilization in the past; self reliant villages were the basic units of the social structure and necessity based production was the order of the day and wants were limited.
After independence, we gave up this basic vision and adopted Gross Domestic Product (GDP) based development model which lost credibility now in the western world itself. Rural economy got continuously neglected; agriculture became non-remunerative and village artisans and cottage industries were neglected. Due to lack of employment opportunities, proper health, educational and infrastructural facilities and onslaught of decadent western culture through TV and cinema, there has been mass exodus of people from villages to cities. By establishing facilities for processing and marketing of raw materials in villages and linking them with rural entrepreneurship, this exodus from villages could have been stopped. This neglect had disastrous effect on the rural economy. Continuous decline in rural investment and five year plan allocations are clear pointers to this neglect resulting in lack of funds for comprehensive development of rural infrastructure and agriculture based rural industries, and research and development facilities for agriculture. It is imperative for the government to provide for quality education relevant for villages, health services, employment opportunities, infrastructural facilities and create such modern models of development of villages which are ecofriendly and promote social harmony facilitating national integrity and progress.
ABKM is clearly of the opinion that cow-centric, organic and natural farming based village model supported by artisanship and rural industries can provide sustainable development for Param Vaibhav Bharat. Several experiments have indicated that organic farming can increase farm output. Research is also being conducted at several higher scientific institutions on integration of traditional knowledge with modern science to enhance quality of life in villages. Today materialism and greed are destroying social fabric and family. Cultural degradation is the natural consequence of this.
Rural reconstruction suited to the modern age based on simple living and sacrifice (thyag) is the only alternative. Cow connects us to our surroundings. Cow-centred village pattern in tune with nature, will not only be more profitable because it is not capital and machine based, but also will increase land fertility by use of natural fertilisers and pestcontrols. Gobar gas can also be alternative energy source. Panchagavya (milk, curd, ghee, Gomutra and Gobar), milk products and other medicines made from Gomutra can improve the economic standing of the villagers. For most of the farmers, plough based, or non-tilling (natural) agricultural will become a better option. Thus cow improves village life and is an important contributor for improving agricultural productivity.
This kind of self-reliant village system can effectively solve the economic and environmental problems. By crop rotation, use of green fertilisers, organic manures and pestcontrols, giving priority to traditional water resources like ponds, wells etc., and use of appropriate technology, it is possible to rejuvenate rural capabilities. Nature based and decentralised use of energy will not only reduce energy crisis, but will also decrease carbon emission levels. 'Vishwa Mangala Go Grama Yatra' organized by Saints and Dharmacharyas is a great endeavour for national awakening to tap this immense potential. ABKM welcomes this great effort.
ABKM urges the Central government to create a blue print for self reliant village based economy instead of populist slogans and plans. ABKM calls upon the society at large to leave behind complexes and build a prosperous Bharat based on village prosperity and calls upon the people for ‘Chalen Gram Ki Aur’ — March towards Villages.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
CHRISTIANS OBJECTION DRAMA
11th Oct, A Christian group has objected to a letter written by 21 lawmakers from the US to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik urging him to “protect Christians” in the aftermath of the Kandhamal violence. “We don’t agree with the letter. There is no point in writing such a letter to when the rehabilitation is over,” said Swarupananda Patra, president of the Orissa Minority Forum. He also did not agree on attaching a religions tag to the violence that followed the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23, 2008. The US lawmakers Friday wrote the letter that “attacks on the fundamental freedom of religion threaten not only India’s reputation for religious diversity, but also the very stability of India’s secular democracy.” It proves that the christians are now playing a blame & praise game to create pressure on the state Govt to favour them
BISWA MANGALA GO-GRAMA YATRA
September 25, 2009
Dear friends,
We salute the divine cow.
108 day long ‘Vishwa Mangala Gou Grama Yathra’ will commence on 30 September 2009. The hope and goal of this journey is rejuvenation of the cow and our villages, leading to welfare of the universe. We will traverse through the hills and vales, cross the rivers and lakes, enter the villages and towns of India, and kindle empathy in our people.
We are proud of the fact that all the cow lovers of the country have joined under one banner supporting the cause promoted by Poojya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji. The saints and seers of the whole country support this program.
Sadly we could not get full value from the freedom we got under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who used the spinning wheel as a symbol and uniting force. We now resolve to realise the freedom which has mostly remained on paper records. The leader for this journey is the divine cow. The journey covering the whole nation would be a second struggle for independence.
This will be an important milestone in our effort in relieving the miserable state of the cow and nation
September 25, 2009
Dear friends,
We salute the divine cow.
108 day long ‘Vishwa Mangala Gou Grama Yathra’ will commence on 30 September 2009. The hope and goal of this journey is rejuvenation of the cow and our villages, leading to welfare of the universe. We will traverse through the hills and vales, cross the rivers and lakes, enter the villages and towns of India, and kindle empathy in our people.
We are proud of the fact that all the cow lovers of the country have joined under one banner supporting the cause promoted by Poojya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji. The saints and seers of the whole country support this program.
Sadly we could not get full value from the freedom we got under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who used the spinning wheel as a symbol and uniting force. We now resolve to realise the freedom which has mostly remained on paper records. The leader for this journey is the divine cow. The journey covering the whole nation would be a second struggle for independence.
This will be an important milestone in our effort in relieving the miserable state of the cow and nation
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