Advani in a dilemma as Christians, Sangh Parivar harden stand on conversions
While the VHP threatened to step up its campaign for a ban on conversion of tribals to Christianity, the Church said it would oppose any such government plan. "The VHP's claim that everyone in India should be a Hindu is a ridiculous proposition," said National Council of Churches in India president R Rajaratnam.
President forwards letters of concern to Centre
But a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman clarified that the communication sent by the President was a forwarding letter to the memoranda submitted by various political parties.
Uma Bharti sees conspiracy against India in Christian attacks
The Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development has alleged that there is a conspiracy to defame the BJP government at the Centre and weaken India by 'blowing out of proportion the minor incidents' involving Christians in the Dangs district of Gujarat.
Panel fails to solve Udham Singh Nagar issue
The three-member committee, with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Kalyan Singh as members and Defence Minister George Fernandes as chairman, will meet again.
Delhi Sikhs support Tohra
Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee leaders have came out openly against Badal loyalists for asking Akal Takht jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh to withdraw his recent edict accusing them of playing petty politics.
Prepare a 'green carpet' welcome for Pak cricket team: Thackeray
In a sarcastic tone, the Shiv Sena chief said, 'The pitches are more important than the life of these young nationalists (Sainiks) and they should be given appropriate punishment for their crime of being an Indian in a Pakistani country.'
Manohar Joshi warns of 'spontaneous action' if Pak team goes ahead
The Maharashtra CM, who was in Hyderabad to attend the World Marathi Conference, said "there is a possibility that Pakistan might not come. Signals to the effect came from the Pakistan Cricket Board."
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Why was Bhagwat sacked?
'If the government was determined to find fault with Bhagwat, he should have been given notice to explain his conduct. It cannot stage a coup as it did. Bhagwat came to know about his dismissal 15 minutes before his successor walked in. A RAW plane flew in the latter from Kochi. He had no permission from the naval chief to move away from his headquarters. Under whose authority did he travel to Delhi?' asks Kuldip Nayar.
Stephen Solarz gets a job
'For as long as he was a member of the US Congress, he had claimed to be India's friend. And now he has been rewarded...' Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.
OTHER REPORTS
Pak woos CIS in bid to outsmart India militarily
According to the sources this new development was causing serious
concern in New Delhi. Pakistan had reportedly secured nuclear
technology from China, but the top brass of the Pakistani military
was now of the opinion that Uzbek nuclear technology was far more
advanced than China's.
Corruption makes CPI-M politburo see red
Not only CPI-M ministers, MPs and legislators but even full-time party workers, who receive a meagre wage, are leading lifestyles inconsistent with their income. The party leadership cannot explain how full-time workers have purchased flats, use mobile telephones and go on vacations to expensive tourist resorts even twice a year.
Beaming Jaya awaits cabinet expansion
Ending months of speculation about the stability of the BJP-led
government, the AIADMK chief said the government was doing a good
job within the constraints under which it was working, although
there was scope for further improvement.
Jaya files Rs 10m defamation suit against Tamil publication
The Madras high court has ordered issuance of notice to Tamizhan Express, a Tamil weekly and three others on a defamation suit filed by All India Anna DMK general secretary J Jayalalitha, seeking Rs 10 million as damages for publishing a defamatory article about her.
West Bengal: Trinamul willing to join Union Cabinet Uttar Pradesh: Kalyan rules out joining Union Cabinet
JANUARY 9
Jaya promises not to withdraw support
"Things are changing with lightning speed today. The BJP government and we have a very good working relationship," the mercurial AIADMK chief said. But she declined to give unquestioned support, saying it would be as unwise as issuing a blank cheque.
Lawyers question Centre's stand on her cases
Senior counsel R Gandhi said Attorney-General Soli J Sorabjee should refrain from appearing in cases involving Jayalalitha as he had appeared for her in the Madras high court on the petition challenging the governor's sanction to prosecute her for corruption.
Panel set up to restructure defence ministry
The armed forces say better co-ordination calls for deputation of uniformed personnel in the ministry at senior levels because service officers will then be able to pursue matters more closely.
'Sangh Parivar forcibly reconverted tribals'
Sources in the National Commission for Minorities, which held special sittings at Gandhinagar and visited the affected areas, said it also found that the state administration was lax in checking the attacks on establishments of Christians.
Attacks not good for Indian culture -- Sonia
The Congress president, who visited the south Gujarat district, criticised the act of creating differences among the tribals in the name of religion and accused the state government of directly or indirectly supporting those perpetrating atrocities on the minorities.
PM will be off to Dangs on Saturday evening
Meanwhile, Gujarat Minister of State for Home Haren Pandya couldn't resist a dig at the Congress. Its talk, he said, was like the "devil quoting scriptures".
Christians are safe, India assures US
The Indian embassy in Washington has said "the community is not under threat and will continue to play its due role in the life and development of the nation".
Centre stands up to Sena, says tour is on
The government said there is no question of even changing the venues for the matches and promised the BCCI adequate security at the grounds to foil any attempt to disrupt the matches. The Pakistani high commissioner visited the Ferozeshah Kotla to inspect arrangements for the first Test.
Sena threatens to disrupt Madras Test too
The general secretary of the Tamil Nadu unit of the party, S Thenmarvan, said they were ready to face any consequences to prevent the tour.
OTHER REPORTS
Lahoris cheer and clap as Indian bus arrives
"We were worried about violence, but it was peaceful all the way," said Gurjit Singh, Delhi Transport Corporation chairman. "We feel like we are coming home."
Fresh fight better than Sonia's embrace: Basu
The West Bengal chief minister and CPI-M politburo member said there was no question of his party accepting Congress support to form a government if the BJP-led coalition falls.
Kalyan meets PM to plead for financial aid
The chief minister also sought permission to raise a market loan of Rs 4,000 million to tide over the unprecedented crisis in the state.
Extortion is a mug's game
Or so decided Ajitabh Datta and Naman Mishra, university toppers-turned-goons. Now in police custody, they are having second thoughts.
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
In offence of Bhagwat
'In denying the Cabinet's rights, which he had so eloquently defended eight years earlier, Bhagwat was effectively claiming a veto over the Union Cabinet, something denied even to his commander-in-chief, the President. Adm Bhagwat conducted himself at best irresponsibly, at worst with criminal arrogance,' says T V R Shenoy.
Assam: ULFA willing to talk, writes to governor Bihar: Laloo, 5 others released from jail Rajasthan: Governor's address talks of BJP misrule
Snow slows Simla
Moderate to heavy snowfall affected power and water supply, telecommunication services, and movement of vehicular traffic in the Himachal Pradesh capital.
Legal tangle may force government to shift deputy naval chief
Defence ministry officials said the government has been advised by a battery of lawyers that any adverse comment from the courts on Harinder Singh's appointment will reflect poorly on it.
US gets set to take up attacks on Christians
Embassy officials in New Delhi said there is every likelihood of the many incidents of violence against Christians being listed in the first US report on human rights violations against religious minorities, which could lead to fresh cries in America for sanctions against India.
RJD demands ban on RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal
Former Union minister Mohd Taslimuddin accused some senior politicians of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of covertly backing the attacks. "Such double standards have made the situation worse," he said.
BJP, Congress criticise Pak meddling
The BJP condemned the resolution adopted by the Pakistani National Assembly criticising the attacks on Christians in India, describing it as "totally mischievous", "meaningless" and "laughable".
BJP flays Congress for 'hyping' attacks
The party said it is regrettable that a senior politician like Sharad Pawar should charge that the incidents were carefully planned by the BJP and the RSS.
Pawar embarrasses Congress
The senior leader again called for the Gujarat government's dismissal. And this while party spokesman Ajit Jogi was trying his best to deny that Pawar was stepping outside the party line.
OTHER REPORTS
7 soldiers killed, 38 hurt in J&K road mishap
Their vehicle, part of an army convoy from Srinagar to Jammu, skidded off the road, which was wet with the recent rain and snow, and fell into a 150ft gorge.
Govt orders Operation Olive to save Ridleys
At least 16,000 Olive Ridley turtles were killed in 1998 off the Orissa coast. "It is like mass annihilation of an entire species," one expert said.
Goa's clean-up drives vendor to suicide
Public streets and markets in Goa's towns now look cleaner and more spacious. But at least 5,000 hawkers and kiosk-owners have been deprived of their livelihoods in the process.
Laloo gets bail in fodder case
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court said the cases against the RJD chief and five other accused, who have also been granted bail, would be taken up after three months.
Gun licence can't be suspended indefinitely: HC
The Allahabad high court ruled that the right to carry arms for self-defence is part of Article 21 of the Constitution, which includes the right to protection of life and property.
Thakre to undertake pre-poll tour of four states
BJP general secretary Venkaiah Naidu said the units in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Sikkim have been told to organise political camps for the cadre by February 10 so the party can launch its campaign on February 11.
Defamation case against Kesri deferred
The suit against the former Congress president over his allegation that the RSS masterminded the Coimbatore blasts will be heard on January 27.
Manipur government gets wobbly
W Nipamacha Singh's coalition suffered yet another jolt when two independent legislators, D P Panmei and A K Langam, withdrew support, bringing its strength in the 60-member assembly down to 35.
Pressure on US to give Akal Takht chief a visa
Embassy officials have begun examining Jathedar Ranjit Singh's application afresh. They have sought a number of clarifications from various quarters, especially about his having been a convict.
Osama bin Laden was in Pakistan
The Saudi Arabian millionaire turned terrorist was allegedly a guest of a senior Pakistani official. He met a number of religious leaders, but wasn't allowed to attend a Jamaat-i-Islami meeting.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Future Man
Not long ago, it was Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi's mayor-son Stalin who was being groomed to take over. But now equations seem to have changed in the South Indian state with the DMK chief's nephew and former Union minister Murasoli Maran taking precedence.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
A recipe for Talibanisation
'If the BJP doesn't cut itself loose from the VHP and the SJM and the 52 groups under the umbrella of the RSS's brand of Hindutva, it has *NO* chance. I myself will campaign against it. For, I follow a different Hindutva, raised as I was on the deeds of Shivaji and Savarkar,' declares Varsha Bhosle.
Singhal is crazy!
'Instead of abusing the missionaries, Singhal would do well to destroy Hinduism's weaknesses so that no one is ever tempted to see the cross as representing his own crucifixion. Educating the dalits and tribals can actually help Hinduism flourish,' says Amberish K Diwanji.
Arunachal Pradesh: Ruling party rises to protect state's integrity Assam: Church apologises for distorted translation Tripura: Schoolboy kidnapped in West Tripura
All in a day's work
The beastly tale of how a Pakistani intruder was apprehended, tried and imprisoned. All in just 24 hours.
Parliamentary panel's strictures may aid PIL against Bhagwat's ouster
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has emphasised that senior naval officers often suffer adversely when doubts are cast on their personal and institutional integrity, and regretted the government's inability to stop such bickering among senior naval officers.
Vajpayee to visit Dangs this week
Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel said his government would consider the demand for a ban on all kinds of conversion.
37 Adivasis re-converted in Nasik
A one-day 'world Hindu conference' demanded that local bodies refuse permission to 'illegal' church constructions and withdraw the police from Peth.
OTHER REPORTS
New CBI chief may give Jaya tough time
"Raghavan knew for sure that the dollars did come into Jayalalitha's account. It's there in her bank records. He can be expected to do an honest job of it," says an informed source.
2 militants, counter-insurgent killed in Kashmir
The New Year has been disastrous for Pakistan-trained terrorists in the state, with at least 36, including some top-ranking ones, having been killed or captured so far.
Delhi HC disposes of plea on onions
The Union government told the court that it had taken "all possible steps to control the price of onions".
138-year-old canal project revived
To be laid 99.88 nautical miles from Tuticorin through the Gulf of Mannar, the Sethusamudram canal promises to reduce the cost of shipping substantially, besides earning foreign exchange.
Maharashtra govt too corrupt to quit: Pawar
The BJP-Sena government knows it won't be re-elected, so it won't relinquish power whatever happens, the former chief minister said.
CPI-M panchayat president sacked in Kerala
The four-month-long Payyavur village council row reached a decisive phase when a no-trust motion against T M Joshi was carried by six votes to four.
Nayanar's coalition experiences rift pangs
The CPI state council has accused the CPI-M of being 'partisan' in implementing the people's decentralised planning programme.
Priest of peace beaten up in Kerala
An Islamic scholar, on a self-driven mission against religious fundamentalism, was attacked in Kannur, allegedly by National Defence Force activists.
Child marriages thrive in MP
More than 16 per cent of rural girls and 11 per cent of urban girls in the 10-14 age group in the state married last year.
CPI-M asks President to mull over new ordinances
The government is trying to bypass Parliament and enforce the Prasar Bharati Bill, Patents (Amendment) Bill, and Companies (Amendment) Bill, the party's politburo pointed out.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'A difference of opinion with the RSS does not mean the Vajpayee government is in danger'
'The RSS never said publicly that it is dissatisfied with the Vajpayee government. But they have made assessments of the situation in the country, which may seem critical of the government. There is nothing wrong in that.' K N Govindacharya, BJP general secretary, on the relationship between the party and the government.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Of white powders and other benefits
'If Ashok Singhal is truly worried about Hinduism, he might try to understand that Hinduism will flourish only when we break the stranglehold caste has on us all. Only, his pronouncements tell us what he truly wants is something quite different: for those at the bottom of the caste totem pole to remain there, illiterate and unquestioning,' says Dilip D'Souza.
Role Reversal
'The BJP government is beginning to look like the Congress. You can see stupidity and uselessness writ all over its face. Corruption and communalism will soon join them for the downslide has already begun,' says Pritish Nandy.
Maharashtra: High court stays renaming of Osmanabad Maharashtra: Thackeray hospitalised Nagaland: Litterateur-politician Paira is dead Rajasthan: Maderna becomes speaker Tamil Nadu: Jaya's plea to defer trial
Battle for Bhagwat to enter Bombay high court
Former director of military affairs Lt Gen (retd) Prem Nath Hoon will file a petition against the controversial decision. "We have the right to know why Admiral Bhagwat was sacked," he says. "Merely Defence Minister George Fernandes stating the situation was scary and disturbing is not enough."
Morale is not a porcelain vase to break easily
'Ironically, Bhagwat is the product of political "intervention". The Naval Headquarters promotion board had not recommended him for promotion to vice-admiral. He was promoted only after Sharad Pawar, then defence minister, intervened,' discloses Admiral (retd) J G Nadkarni.
Veteran Gandhians demand ban on conversions
Sarvodaya leader Chunnibhai Vaidya said Dada Dharmadhikari, a member of the Constituent Assembly, had proposed a constitutional ban on conversions. But others opposed it, saying it would make re-conversion difficult. "It is due to this failure to ban conversions that re-conversion is now taking place in the Dangs, which has sparked off the recent clashes," he said.
Joshi promises full protection to Christians
The Maharashtra CM admitted that there have been some reports of "forcible conversion", but said he had not received a specific complaint.
Christian leaders offer to talk to VHP, BJP
"Forced conversion is a sin," they said, and offered to rectify any real instances, but wanted to know why all these issues had cropped up after the BJP came to power in Gujarat and the Centre.
OTHER REPORTS
Atal's men return Deve Gowda's salvo on T-90
Responding to the former PM's allegation that the Rs 50 billion tank deal is being pushed through to please 'unscrupulous elements', the defence ministry said it was the United Front, and not the BJP, that had initiated the deal.
Rocket kills police officer, wife in Kashmir
An assistant sub-inspector and his wife were killed and their child injured when rockets fired by unidentified militants hit a police camp at Palhalan in Baramulla district.
Bengal to take up border fencing
Galvanised into action by the alarming rate of infiltration and stepped-up activity of Pakistan's ISI, the West Bengal government has decided to fence 900 kilometres of border with Bangladesh next year.
SC goes after states on Lok Ayukts
The apex court has directed 16 states to file affidavits within eight weeks indicating what they have done to set up the ombudsman's office.
Government drifting without direction: Jogi
The Congress spokesman said that while some cordiality had been struck between the government and the BJP, the coalition allies continue to lash out "on each and every issue virtually on a daily basis".
Rags-to-riches Sikh businessman charged with murder
Gurmeet Singh Dhinsa, who went from pumping petrol in The Bronx to owing a chain of 50 service stations, "was more than just a ruthless businessman", the prosecution told a Brooklyn jury. "In fact, he was a ruthless killer as well..."
'Why should I apologise for everything that is happening in the state?'
'But I would say the VHP's crusade against forcible conversions of tribal Hindus to Christianity in India is an issue to which all sensible people would agree.' Gujarat Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel, in the hot seat over the attacks on Christians in his state, defends himself against the charge of inaction.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Cross Fire
'One point in their protest was that the lives of Christians are being threatened by the increasing attacks on their community in the last two years. If so, why was the protest delayed till the BJP-led coalition tottered after its assembly poll defeat?' asks Arvind Lavakare.
Saffron dogs of war bark up the wrong tree
'For the Sangh Parivar, the attacks on yet another group of minorities are part of its long-running campaign to try and create a hate figure. Having done the same to Muslims, the focus has now been turned on the numerically irrelevant Christians. Numerically irrelevant in terms of vote bank politics, which is what it is all about,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Jammu & Kashmir: Kabir's followers allege persecution Karnataka: Minor violence in Puttur, Udipi Tamil Nadu: More witnesses to be summoned in Jaya graft cases
THE WEATHER
Kashmir may get rains
Rain or snow is likely at a few places in the hills of west Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
JANUARY 5
BJP bows to government's supremacy
Agreeing that the administration is responsible to Parliament and the people, party president Kushabhau Thakre announced the setting up of a committee for better co-ordination between the government and the organisation.
Government wakes up to Budget blues
"The prime minister and his team have made it very clear that they do not want the RSS and party leadership to control the government. But it is still an uneasy relationship," said a member of the BJP national executive.
Act on Bofors to thwart Congress, PM told
The executive, which adopted a political resolution after two days of deliberation, said there is a wide gap between the government's performance and people's perception about it.
'Bhagwat should have been court-martialled'
Vice-Admiral (retd) M P Awati, who has known Bhagwat since he was a commander, said it was inconceivable that the sacked naval chief could have done any damage to the navy or national security.
Ministry's planning closed Bhagwat's legal option
Aware that Bhagwat's wife is a senior advocate, the government ensured that the admiral would not be able to get a stay from the law courts by issuing the orders for his dismissal and appointing his successor Adm Sushil Kumar simultaneously.
Swamy repeats call for probe
The Janata Party chief wants the investigating panel to be headed by a Supreme Court judge.
Dangs limps along road to peace
Since New Year, no untoward incident has been reported in this south Gujarat district. And the Sunday mass in churches passed off peacefully. But the Christians still fear attacks when the Special Reserve Police protection is withdrawn.
BJP gives Gujarat government a clean chit
After CM Keshubhai Patel presented his report to the leadership on the recent attacks on Christians in his state, the national executive said "vested interests have been systematically trying to blow stray incidents in the state out of all proportion".
OTHER REPORTS
BJP plans campaign to sell Vajpayee's feats
The party will launch a five-week campaign from February 11 to create awareness among its workers and the people of the government's achievements.
1999 declared Year of the Jawan
Special emphasis will be given on programmes to improve training and personal amenities of the soldiers, army chief General V P Malik said.
Kerala govt sued again in ISRO case
Senior space scientist S Nambi Narayanan has filed a Rs 10 million suit against the government and 11 others for "the mental and physical torture" inflicted on him in the spy scandal that wasn't.
Jaya demands amendment of insurance bill
The AIADMK chief wants the government to prevent foreign investors from dominating the sector and to retain control over the proposed regulatory authority.
Gowda warns against T-90 tank deal
The former PM alleged that vested interests were trying to push the deal through even though the tank is still untested in Indian conditions.
Amartya Sen calls for closer Indo-Pak ties
The Nobel prize-winner said improved relations between the neighbours would reduce military expenditure and release resources for development with a renewed thrust on the social sector.
New CBI chief promises transparency
Dr R K Raghavan, who will head the bureau for a minimum tenure of two years under the Supreme Court's orders, told reporters that "it is difficult to underplay political interference" in the investigation of sensitive cases.
Gunmen mow down 15 worshippers in Pakistan
The attack in Shah Jamal, 300km south of Lahore, occurred as 100 Shiite Muslim worshippers were finishing their morning prayers that marked the beginning of their day-long fast.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Bofors should be taken to its logical conclusion'
"I had brought sizeable information from Switzerland. I had promised that the investigation would be completed within three months, but typing took a little longer. I sent the report to the government in May 1997," reveals former CBI chief Joginder Singh.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
The Fuehrer of Bombay
'Why has the Shiv Sena gone to such lengths to destroy the ethos of Mumbai? My guess is Thackeray likes being a dada. What better way of proving that he controls Mumbai than to terrorise everyone by closing their restaurants and wrecking their cinemas? Everyone now has to come, cap in hand, to Matoshree,' says Vir Sanghvi.
Dear Readers, II
'Bharatiya sabhyata was best exemplified by the Bihar CM's public speeches: "Bhandari ek payr se langda hai. Bihar ke log uska dusra payr bhi tod kar usey wapas Delhi bhej denge." Rabri Devi also asserted that Vajpayee and Advani are "naamard". Hmmm... if the gentlemen failed to respond suitably to any advances, who's to blame?' asks Varsha Bhosle.
Jammu & Kashmir: Pak bullets hit Nowgam villager Rajasthan: Maderna will be the speaker Tamil Nadu: CAT rejects Haribhasker's plea Tamil Nadu: Trial begins in Rajiv Gandhi Transport Corporation corruption case Uttar Pradesh: Loktantrik Congress to continue backing BJP government
THE WEATHER
Snow in the North
Rain or snow is likely at a few places in Jammu and Kashmir, and at isolated places in the hills of west Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
