|
JANUARY 24
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Missionary, children burnt alive in Orissa
Some miscreants, allegedly of the Bajrang Dal, set ablaze a vehicle of the Evangelical Missionary Society in Keonjhar district, killing the Australian-born missionary and the two boys aged eight and 10 who were sleeping inside.
Prayer hall attacked in Surat
Twenty-five people have been arrested in this connection, police said.
NCM finds no evidence of forced conversion
Vice-chairman Bawa Singh said members of the National Commission for Minorities would meet President Narayanan on Feb 1 with recommendations for the protection of the minorities.
THE PAKISTAN CRICKET TOUR
Thackeray, still against tour, 'had to bow down'
The Sena leader said he revoked his 'ban' on the Pakistanis for one year following a request from Vajpayee and Advani who were "pressurised by anti-national forces".
Sonia slashes at Thackeray, Vajpayee
The Congress president mounted a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government for insulting India's tradition of tolerance, brotherhood and secularism. She also criticised the anti-minority stance of the Union government.
Anti-tour protestor dies
The Hindu Munnani activist who set himself afire in Madras in a bid to prevent the Pakistani tour succumbed to his injuries.
OTHER REPORTS
US denies softening stand on CTBT
The sanctions are mandatory and will be withdrawn only after India meets the non-proliferation concerns outlined by the international community, including the Security Council, officials said.
Don't give in to Bully Clinton, says Jaya
AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalitha has urged the Union government not to sign the CTBT unless the US lifts sanctions fully.
Home ministry figures give the lie to Centre's claim on containing militancy in J&K
Its report foresees an escalation of militant activity in the next three months, and says terrorist attacks are likely to be directed at security forces, police informers, political activists and government servants.
J&K prepares for Republic Day... with guns, not roses
The government has stepped up security to ensure that January 26, which also marks the first anniversary of the Wandhama massacre, passes off peacefully.
Former royal family questions Marxist control over Sabarimala
Following the tragedy at the shrine, the Pandalam Palace, which looked after it before the Travancore Devaswom Board was set up, wants to once again have a say in its management.
PM calls for stability, curbs on money power
Vajpayee said proportional representation has its own shortcomings. It can lead to centralisation of control within political parties. Moreover, a candidate's accessibility to and familiarity with the local population and his track record in public life become unimportant.
Students suspended for attending youth festival
Two Muslim girls were banned from a madrassa in Kerala for three months. Their crime: they participated in a youth festival held in Oct 1998.
Murders expose murky Marxist politics
The murder of a CPI-M leader, allegedly by his own party colleague, has shocked the Marxists and exposed the extent to which some politicians can go for monetary gain.
Population boom will bust Hindi belt -- Gujral
Stating that the next hundred years will be a century of challenge, the former prime minister said social attitudes and relationships would also be under severe stress.
U2 sets Rushdie's poem to music
The Irish rock group's new song uses a love poem from Rushdie's latest novel, The Ground Beneath Her Feet, due to appear on April 13.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Foreigners are Assam's perennial problem
'Politicians think of elections, but my eyes are fixed on the next generation,' Assam Governor S K Sinha tells Kuldip Nayar. 'I have told the President that large-scale migration from across the border has altered the state's demographic complexion and poses a greater threat to the identity of the Assamese people and to our national security.'
Created Controversy
'India Today and its editor Prabhu Chawla had come out with an Exclusive (with a capital E) about Narayanan's suggestion to increase the SC/ST representation among Supreme Court and high court judges. Only, the Exclusive (with a capital E) was no exclusive (no, not even with a small 'e'!)...' Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.
Memories of Another Day
'Some of my most memorable Ids were spent in Ahmedabad. My Muslim friend's family was thrilled that someone belonging to a different world and religion was prepared to accept their friendship so readily. That was the story of the 1970s. Later, I learnt that Ahmedabad had changed for the worse,' says V Gangadhar.
Andhra Pradesh: Congressmen to boycott Sonia meet on Telangana
Bihar: BJP expels former state unit chief
Goa: Trouble for Congress as regional parties unite
Karnataka: Panchayati Raj minister Prakash resigns
Maharashtra: Iranian aircraft grounded in Bombay
Tamil Nadu: Congress snubs TMC
JANUARY 23
Talbott's tacit endorsement of Indian nuclear policy cheers MEA
The US deputy secretary of state, who resumes his strategic talks with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh in New Delhi next week, has been quoted as saying that cornering India on the CTBT and missile programmes could backfire.
Inderfurth paints rosy picture of Indo-US relations
The assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs said, "The horizons are boundless. We can realistically target increases in trade and investment over the next 10-20 years to reach levels that we may enjoy with China."
President within his rights to make suggestions to Chief Justice, say lawyers
"There is nothing wrong in the President's noting. In fact, it is advisable because it proves he is not just a figurehead. And in the country's interests, he has a right to make a noting about even more representation."
THE PAKISTAN CRICKET TOUR
UP police on alert despite Thackeray backing off
They are taking preventive measures after Sena activists yesterday dug up the Muzaffarnagar cricket pitch where the Indian and Pakistani women are to play a cricket match.
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Ahwa violence was between tribal groups, claims Keshubhai
During his visit to New Delhi, the Gujarat CM apprised President Narayanan of the situation in the Dangs and showed him photographs proving that the media reports on attacks on churches were exaggerated.
Attacks intended to checkmate Sonia: VP
"But these desperate attempts will not cut ice with the people," the former prime minister said.
THE BHAGWAT DISMISSAL
A time to heal
'To salvage his ego the retired chief has projected himself to be honest, upright and fearless, a great martyr in the cause of justice. He lives in a small flat like Nehru, is being persecuted like Tilak. In the bargain, the rest of the Navy has been projected as a bunch of nitwits,' says Admiral (retd) J G Nadkarni.
OTHER REPORTS
Inter-state council fails to agree on ways to prevent misuse of Art 356
The council directed the sub-committee headed by Defence Minister George Fernandes to evolve a consensus on the issue.
NHRC calls high-level meeting to help Pandits
The National Human Rights Commission has directed the state government to organise a meeting of ministers, officials and representatives of the migrant Kashmiri Pandits in March to solve the minority group's grievances.
Support to militants in Jammu waning: army
Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Doda districts, which were once havens for terrorists, have ceased to welcome them, a top officer claimed.
Former CJ calls for panel to appoint judges
Gumanmal Lodha, former chief justice of the Guwahati high court, said the chief justice of the Supreme Court could be the chairman of the commission.
Laloo dissolves RJD youth wing
He claimed to have received several complaints regarding the illegal activities of the organisation's office-bearers. Indiscipline, Yadav said, was something he would not tolerate.
Vessel capsizes off Bombay coast
Port trust personnel and the city police rescued the 15 crew on board the vessel that capsized near the Colaba lighthouse early on Friday.
Karnataka BJP to meet on January 24
The state unit will discuss, among other things, the party's strategy for the assembly election, including a possible alliance with the Lok Shakti.
Thambidurai's 'threat exposes' AIADMK game plan
"The idea is to use the dismissal (of the DMK government) to scuttle the corruption cases pending against Jayalalitha," DMK sources say.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
The patriots are on the loose
'The Shiv Sena was born, Thackeray tells us, to bring Maharashtrians a measure of self-respect. But all these years later, I want to ask Maharashtrians: is there one single constructive thing the Sena has ever done that has boosted your self-respect? Just one? I'm Maharashtrian myself, and I cannot come up with anything,' says Dilip D'Souza.
Let the law take its course
'It is not just the handful of miscreants who are on trial; so too are the leaders of the BJP. It is commonly believed that such acts are going unpunished because they have the implicit support of the ruling party. Isn't it time for the BJP to make it clear that the reverse is true, even at the cost of snapping links with their former political allies if need be?' asks T V R Shenoy.
Assam: Government denies 600 starved to death after floods
Kerala: Hindus ask government to improve Sabarimala
Tamil Nadu: Former Union minister Muthiah's trial begins
THE WEATHER
Nights get hotter in Kashmir
Night temperatures were appreciably above normal in Kashmir and parts of Sikkim, Haryana, Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh and Saurashtra.
JANUARY 22
Sadhus give Centre 90 days to get cracking on Ram temple
Baba Dharam Das, chief trustee of the Ram Janambhoomi Trust, said, "After the deadline expires we will take out a protest march from Kashmir to Kanyakumari" to mobilise public opinion and launch countrywide protests against the BJP-led government.
Ayodhya accused called for framing charges
Special Judge J P Srivastava has directed all the 49 accused to either appear before him in person on February 19 or bring a stay order.
THE PAKISTAN CRICKET TOUR
Thackeray withdraws threat to disrupt series
The decision, taken after a meeting with Home Minister L K Advani, came in the wake of widespread condemnation of the vandalism at the BCCI office on Monday and the police high-handedness on a group of people protesting against the attack the next day.
But Centre decides not to take any chances
The Union home secretary and directors-general of police of six states reviewed security arrangements for the Pakistani cricketers and officials during their stay in Delhi and other states. Both the Test venues and all the places of stay of both teams have been provided round-the-clock security.
Thackeray really had no choice
If he hadn't backed off, the alliance government in Bombay would have been in jeopardy, the BCCI would have gone to Calcutta, and his Maharashtrian vote bank would have rejected him for having allowed damage to Indian cricket's hard-won prizes.
Pakistanis arrive amidst tight security...
"We are here to honour your invitation and promote good relations between the two countries," said team manager Shahryar Khan, a former foreign secretary.
And so do the Indians
A huge contingent of police, including Rapid Action Force personnel in full riot gear, was deployed at Calcutta airport. Policemen lined the road into the city. No one was allowed to go near the players who were surrounded by gun-toting commandos.
Madras police detain Shiv Sena men
Chief Minister Karunanidhi said the police are sparing no effort to ensure full-scale security for the first Test beginning January 28.
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
India's image has been tarnished: Fernandes
The defence minister said politicians, journalists and others raised questions on the increasing atrocities on Christians in the country during his visit to France.
Karunanidhi opposes conversion debate
The Tamil Nadu chief minister said the right to convert was already enshrined in the Constitution. "[So] there is no need for a national debate", he asserted.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
The truth about Hindus and Christians
The VHP uses statistics about the faster growth rate of Christians in some regions to buttress its claim on conversions. But the 1991 census also reveals that the national growth rate for Hindus is 22.78 per cent while for Christians it is 16.89 per cent. And the total percentage of Christians in India has actually gone down from 2.36 to 2.24 per cent.
THE ANJANA MISHRA RAPE CASE
'If Anjana can be gangraped, no woman in Orissa is safe'
'How many women in Bhubaneswar are provided with police security?' demands a BJP leader. 'Anjana Mishra has a police tent in front of her home and she is escorted by a personal security officer whenever she goes out. She is the most protected woman in the state.'
THE BHAGWAT DISMISSAL
Sorabjee questions petitioner's locus standi
The attorney-general went on the offensive in the Delhi high court, saying that though the records in the case have been brought for its perusal, it would be better to first settle the maintainability of the petition and the locus standi of the petitioner.
OTHER REPORTS
Agni put to bed 'indefinitely', MoD confirms
But it is technical, not political, reasons that are behind the move, it claimed.
Jnanpith for Girish Karnad
Playwright, filmmaker, actor and chairman of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, he is the seventh Kannada writer to win the prestigious award for outstanding contribution to Indian literature.
Government must settle Kadyan supersession case: SC
Since there is no allegation of favouritism, a matter of this sensitivity should not reach the stage of being debated in court, the bench observed.
Recurring floods leave a trail of misery in Dhakuakhana
A visiting correspondent found women shivering on the embankment of the Matmari, with tattered clothes barely covering their bodies. They have been surviving on dried fish and roots as no vegetation has withstood the fury of the surging waters.
Suicides shoot up 62 per cent!
Life, we Indians seem to be increasingly concluding, is just not worth living. Better to get it over with fast then, than to drag on depressed and distressed...
By-election for 11 assembly seats on Feb 22
Notifications for the by-elections in Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, and Rajasthan are to be issued on January 29.
Special courts being politicised: Karunanidhi
The Tamil Nadu CM said his government never claimed it would not part with details pertaining to the allocation of the corruption cases against opposition leader J Jayalalitha and others.
Pallone backs India's claim for UN seat
The Democratic Congressman said India merits a permanent seat in the Security Council on account of its size, population and long-term record of democratic stability, and hoped the US would support this goal.
US officials to assess threat to consulates
The Clinton administration has expressed "grave concern" over the reported terrorist plot to bomb US consulates in Calcutta and Madras.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
The preying Church
'What I will do is address the Parivar: If you don't have the zeal and the intellect to beat missionaries at their own game, don't whine, you ninnies. And don't brawl, either, for you play right into their international hands. Be constructive: Force Hindu temple trusts to do what the Church does. Where do all their zillions go? In laddoos and pedhas?' says Varsha Bhosle.
Playing ball with the enemy
'Will you shake hands with someone who kills your father, rapes your sister, sets fire to your village and, at the same time, smiles and tells you that cricket is above politics? Can you afford to ignore what Pakistan is doing in Kashmir and reach out your hand of friendship to their cricket team in the hope that this will, one day, change the mindset of their rulers?' asks Pritish Nandy.
Arunachal Pradesh: Mukut Mithi wins trust vote
Punjab: Akali Dal suspends Tohra supporter
Tripura: Govt shuffles bureaucrats
THE WEATHER
Cold wave toll reaches 133 in UP
Eight persons succumbed to the killing cold on Wednesday.
JANUARY 20
THE PAKISTAN CRICKET TOUR
BCCI shifts office to Calcutta
The apex body of cricket control has shifted its headquarters to Eden Gardens in the wake of Tuesday's attack on its Bombay office.
Raj Thackeray condemns attack on BCCI
Asked about the Sena's possible volte face, considering that it had praised its MLA who dug up the Wankhede pitch, he said, "I don't want to get involved in further controversies." He also ducked the question whether he considered the attackers to be patriots.
Special security for Azhar, Sachin, Wadekar
An armed squad will be with the three till the situation normalises, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde said. Security measures for other players have also been stepped up.
Bombayites hit out at Thackeray's bouncers
Reacting to the Shiv Sena threat against the Indo-Pak series, people from various walks staged a morcha near the Churchgate station, a stone's throw away from the vandalised BCCI office.
Cricketers' kin berate vandalism
Anil Kumble's father Krishnaswamy felt it was better to call off the Pak tour. It is not just the players' safety that is in question now but that also of the common people. Snehashish, Saurav Ganguly's brother, termed the developments 'nonsensical'.
Thakre rules out breaking off with Sena
At the same time, the BJP did not agree with any party resorting to acts such as the one in Bombay that would affect good neighbourly relations. Violence had no place in a democracy, he added.
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Anti-Christian attacks started in Nov 1997
Even on Christmas, when the maximum number of churches and Christian institutions were burnt down in Dangs, the attacks were not isolated but planned and systematic, says an independent fact-finding team.
VHP disagrees with PM's views on conversions
Newly appointed VHP international secretary-general Praveenbhai Togadia said he, however, welcomed the prime minister's suggestion for a public debate on the issue.
THE ANJANA MISHRA RAPE CASE
Patnaik nears the end of road
When medical examination confirmed rape, the Orissa chief minister tried to scuttle the issue by questioning the reason for Mishra's presence so late at night on that lonely road. Sonia Gandhi was livid. Patnaik was not only questioning the integrity of a rape victim, but was also admitting that after dark women in Orissa were not safe.
OTHER REPORTS
Mithi's acid test 'within a week'
The Arunachal Pradesh governor felt the new chief minister does not command absolute majority.
CPI to stir against BJP in February
Its general secretary A B Bardhan also criticised Advani for claiming that 75 per cent of the funds from foreign countries go to Christian missionaries.
'India must have an able ADS'
Lt Gen A Mukherjee, director general of the Air Defence Artillery, has said India must take urgent steps to counter the nuclear threat from Pakistan.
Tripura readies for anti-insurgent operation
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said the strength of the All Tripura Tiger Force and National Liberation Front of Tripura along with their collaborators would be about 669. Between them, they have 11 associate outfits.
RBI simplifies forex rules for students abroad
The entire amount of exchange admissible can now be released in favour of the student.
TN govt hauled up in sandalwood scam
A Madras high court bench ordered notices to the Tamil Nadu government and the Karnataka Soaps and Detergent Limited on a petition alleging that Rs 14.7 million was lost because sandalwood was sold to KSDL at a cheaper rate
Four killed in Pak sectarian violence
Four members of the fundamentalist Jamaat-i-Islami were shot dead and three others wounded when unknown gunmen attacked their house in a village near Shikarpur town in Sindh.
Lady bar owners to strike if cops don't behave
An official said since the Bombay bar owners stopped paying hafta and started closing at 0030 hours as stipulated, the cops are deliberately harassing them.
Delhi cops arrest lady surgeon turned car thief
Dr Jyoti alias Anita and husband Ram Kishen, a property dealer of 'bad character' from Vasant Vihar, had set up a nice business for themselves in R K Puram when the sleuths came looking.
Lead poisoning is a big threat
A major crisis may be imminent in India, a study points out.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Fast life overtakes Tagore's abode of peace
What have seriously affected the lives of the traditional residents of Shantiniketan are the weekend parties. Loud music, alcohol flowing like water and Santhal belles dancing for the amusement of guests are a common sight at all these soirees.
The illegal immigrants' paradise
INS workplace raids of all types have practically halted in the US, a situation that some critics say effectively gives businesses an unofficial pass to hire undocumented immigrants. It also gives many employers more freedom to define the terms of employment -- even if it is illegal.
A Gandhian speaks out from Dangs
'Ghelubhai Nayak is 75 years old. He was persuaded in 1948 by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to commence tribal welfare activities in Gujarat's Dangs district. He has been there ever since. On January 7 this year, he sent a fax communication in English to the Special Bench of the National Minorities Commission stationed in Ahmedabad...'
says Arvind Lavakare .
Karnataka: Crisis averted in JD
Maharashtra: Romesh Sharma's brother held
Punjab: Sikhs seek Pope's help with jathedar's visa
JANUARY 19
THE PAKISTAN CRICKET TOUR
Shiv Sena men ransack BCCI office, damage Prudential Cup
The mob, waving saffron flags and armed with hockey sticks and stumps, damaged furniture, a glass panel, and fax machines. Some even pulled out telephone wires. In the frenzy, several trophies won over the years, including the historic Prudential World Cup, symbol of Indian cricket's finest hour, were damaged.
Samajwadi Party takes guard against Sena
Following Maharashtra Sports Minister Pratap Jadhav's statement that Indian cricketers should boycott the series against Pakistan or face the consequences, Bombay SP chief Abu Asim Azmi said his party would give the players "full protection".
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Worried allies get together as BJP fails to rein in Sangh Parivar
The allies also want Vajpayee and the BJP to ensure that an important member of the coalition like the Shiv Sena, which has been threatening to disrupt the Pakistani cricket tour, is not allowed to embark on a collision course with the government.
No move to ban conversions: Vajpayee
The PM said he did not think his suggestion for a national debate on religious conversions had created apprehensions among the minorities. In fact, two Roman Catholic bishops who met him at Trivandrum airport to submit a memorandum had welcomed such a dialogue.
Congress may yet demand Central rule in Gujarat
But party chief Sonia Gandhi said "all aspects" will have to be thought of carefully before doing so.
THE ANJANA MISHRA RAPE CASE
Orissa high court calls for case diary
Anjana's counsel strongly opposed an inquiry by the crime branch of the Orissa police and demanded a CBI probe instead.
'If I join politics, I will be able to champion the cause of helpless women. I can go to any length'
"You cannot imagine how bitter I feel. Since June last year I have been staying alone in this house. At night I am totally alone. The policemen are inside the tents in front of my house. I feel very insecure," says Anjana Mishra.
OTHER REPORTS
Amartya Sen gets Bharat Ratna
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's decision comes as a snub to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which had accused the Nobel Prize winner of being an agent of the Christian West.
Vittal seeks action against public servants' benami properties
The chief vigilance commissioner also disclosed that he had suggested to Defence Minister George Fernandes that MLAs and MPs be made to declare their assets before the presiding officers concerned every year. "He has assured me that he will take up the issue with the Lok Sabha speaker," he added.
Support to BJP as long as Vajpayee is PM: Mamata
Banerjee said, "Vajpayeeji is a fine person. It is because of him that we are still supporting the BJP-led government at the Centre." But in the same breath she added, ''We can't go on tolerating the humiliation from the BJP. Enough is enough.''
Defence restructuring may be a tame affair
Nothing extraordinary is going to happen to upset the existing balance among the armed forces, defence ministry officials said.
Three years on, NTR's family fights for his legacy
The day witnessed family members coming in separate groups to NTR Ghat to pay floral tributes at his samadhi. Rebel TDP MLA and NTR's third son N Harikrishna arrived with his four brothers Jai Krishna, Ramakrishna, Jai Shanker Krishna and Mohan Krishna. Naidu, accompanied by his wife N Bhuvaneswari, came later.
Badal ready to attend 'mini Sarbat Khalsa'
Bhai Ranjit Singh has called the Sikh religious bodies and institutions to the Golden Temple to review the arrangements for the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. Akali Dal circles view it as an attempt to prevent his removal as Akal Takht chief.
Finally, Siachen troops have enough snow-scooters!
Facilities and equipment for the Indian troops on the world's highest battleground have been upgraded significantly.
Pakistan used plutonium in May tests
The implication is that Pakistan has been importing or producing plutonium without US knowledge and can build smaller, easy-to-conceal, longer-range nuclear weapons that will be more threatening to neighbouring India.
Pak ready to launch Ghauri-II after Eid
Developed by Dr Abdul Quadeer Khan, the ballistic missile can carry a payload of 1,000 kg.
SC notice on 'wild' dinner in Andhra
The apex court acted on a public interest petition alleging that wildlife authorities failed to book certain top politicians who served the meat of protected animals at a dinner to honour Minister for Major Irrigation P Nageshwara Rao.
Arunachal CM loses trust vote
Gegong Apang left the assembly after making a three-hour speech while moving the confidence motion and went to the Raj Bhavan with his 22 supporters, leaving just the 36 members supporting opposition leader Mukut Mithi in the house for the vote.
CPI-ML calls Basu Naxal killer, wants probe
The Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation has demanded a judicial inquiry into the "brutal massacre" of Naxalites in West Bengal in the 1970s when Chief Minister Jyoti Basu held the police portfolio, general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said.
Chandra Shekhar ready to lead Third Front
The former prime minister said he did not wish to comment on the present government but it was divisive and leading the country into obscurantism and was certainly pursuing policies far removed from the ideals of swadeshi it professed.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
A tale of two iftaar parties
Mulayam Singh and Sonia Gandhi held their iftaar parties on the same day, raising eyebrows. "Sonia is just seeing how far she can go without taking the support of any of the other parties," said a Congress politician.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
A case for conversion
'Such is the arrogance of most Hindus that we seem to actually believe that no Hindu ever converts of his own volition. The conversions, we decide, are either forcible or achieved through inducements. The reality is that there are many people at the margins of Hindu society -- Dalits, tribals, lower castes and so on -- who have no reason to cling to a faith that oppresses them,' says Vir Sanghvi.
THE WEATHER
Cold nights in coastal Orissa, Vidarbha
Night temperatures were appreciably below normal in coastal Orissa and parts of Vidarbha and south interior Karnataka. They were below normal in Gangetic West Bengal, Telangana, and parts of Gujarat region, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
Archives
|
