Author Archives: Naim Naqvi

Apr
18
2010

IPL nautanki must be checked, accounted for

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Sharad Pawar is one of India’s powerful regional politicians, at times on the cusp of becoming prime minister. The closest he got – and perhaps ever will – was following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, when Narasimha Rao got the job.

FLASH BACK a few years and many of the readers would recollect a speech in parliament delivered by ex Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar. In one of his poignant remarks he had reminded Sharad Pawar that money and power is not to be the all and end all of life.

The speech could still be retrieved from the archives of Parliament. I have loved and respected Pawar as the last vestige of Chanakya brand politics. As a horse of long race, he somehow always clinged to power but I am sorry to observe he is also a perennial loser where moral standards are concerned. Sharad Pawar is one of India’s powerful regional politicians, at times on the cusp of becoming prime minister.

The closest he got – and perhaps ever will – was following Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, when Narasimha Rao got the job. When he first became a state minister, way back in 1966, Pawar’s only connection to cricket was a tenuous one – his father-in-law, Sadu Shinde, was a Test legspinner, who toured England in 1946. With his stunning victory over Jagmohan Dalmiya’s nominee Ranbir Singh Mahendra at the 76th AGM of the board, Pawar is now at the head of the country’s cricket administration.

As the federal agriculture minister of a nation still prone to droughts and mass suicides by farmers he had hardly acquired any feather in his cap. Had he played his cards well, he could have been the Prime Minister of India today. His problem is – he wants to bite more than he could chew. Even with all his peculiarities and foxy politics he has been reduced to an inefficient minister who can’t even manage properly the stocks of wheat at his disposal. He can’t handle rats, forget about rest of animate or innanimate subjects or objects. He is squarely blamed for the rising prices of every essential commodity and his nexus with Bal Thackrey, though it got him some seats in Maharashtra had already made him a person you can’t trust.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Apr
17
2010

Tharoor and PM

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Romesh Sharma seem to have left no pastime but to criticize PM Manmohan Singh. He is not perturbed because he is a man of principles. Three days back he had said in Washington that he had heard about the allegations against Tharoor.”I do not have all the facts before me. When I go back, I will get all the facts, and in the light of those, if any action is necessary, I think that would be the proper way to proceed.” What else Romesh Sharma was expecting him to say ? That Sonia Gandhi is a powerful leader and she had single handedly revived congress is a well known fact. If a P.M. of a ruling party consults the President of his party what is so strange in it ? Criticism just for the sake of criticism is the hobby of those who can’t see farther their nose or don’t want to see anything that disturbs their fancies. Tharoor is a flamboyant character who has given some color to an otherwise drab and dull profession. He should be punished if he is found guilty.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Apr
09
2010

I’ve a problem or two with Shoaib and Sania

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I've a problem or two with Shoaib and Sania

Shoaib and Sania

There is no room in it for swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or traitors. Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and the next.

THAT SANIA Mirza is hell bent to marry Shoaib Malik is not my problem. My feelings or feelings of my countrymen for Sania does not matter at this juncture. She is out of the picture as a girl, who would reap very soon what she is sowing now.

,As the adage goes – There are other ways to kill a cat than choking it with butter. If the Hyderabadis thought it fit to kill the last flicker of hope of friendship between India and Pakistan with this marriage they can stick to their opinion. My problem is Shoaib Malik.

Till yesterday, he was calling Ayesha as a girl he had never seen. He was saying that he was duped into believing that Ayesha was some third woman whose photographs he was shown. Since nikah with intention to cheat is not valid, Sania will be his first wife. Now when the cat is out of the bag he is admitting his marriage to Ayesha aka Maha. FIR filed by Siddiquis will be dropped now. Shoaib and Sania will now marry and would live happily hereafter.

Since both are Muslims and both should know that flirting with other women for a married man is tantamount to serious offence. Shoaib flirted with Sania when Ayesha was his wife. He was successful in trapping an innocent girl in marriage is another offence.

Let Sania Mirza, if not Shoaib Malik should know that Muslim society is based on purity of feeling, love, sincerity and fulfillment of promises to every member of society. Its members are endowed with piety, truthfulness and faithfulness. Cheating and deception are alien characters in contrast to the noble character of a true Muslim.

There is no room in it for swindlers, double crossers, tricksters, or traitors. Islam views cheating and deception as heinous sins, a source of shame to the one guilty of committing them, both in this world and the next. The Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, did not merely denounce such people by excluding them from the Muslim community in this world, he also announced that on the Day of Judgment every traitor would be raised carrying the flag of his betrayal.

A caller will cry out from the vast arena of judgment, pointing to him, drawing attention to him: “Every traitor will have a banner on the Day of Resurrection and it will be said: This is the betrayer of so-and-so.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari).

The shame of traitors – men and women – will be immense. Those who thought that their betrayal had been forgotten will find it right there, exposed for the whole world to see on banners raised high held by their own hands.

Their shame will increase even more when they meet with the prophet of mercy, the advocate of the sinners on that terrifying and horrible day. Their crime is of such enormity that it will deprive them of divine mercy and the prophet’s intercession. The Prophet of Islam said: “God said: I will oppose on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave his word and then betrayed it.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari).

“There are four characteristics, whoever has all of them is a true hypocrite and whoever has one of them has one of the qualities of a hypocrite until he gives it up: when he is trusted, he betrays; when he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he disputes, he resorts to slander.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim).

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Apr
08
2010

The tragic death of AMU Professor is shameful

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India is neither Darul Islam nor the Indian Constitution has permitted the prosecution if the act is committed with mutual consent by mature individuals.

THE ALIGARH Muslim University professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras was found dead Wednesday in his rented accommodation in mysterious circumstances. The death came to light after neighbors found foul smell emanating from his room. Police broke into his room to find the decomposed body on the bed. It has traces of blood that had oozed from his mouth. The circumstantial evidence was hardly enough to zero on the cause of death, police said.

That homosexuality has been a reality of life since time immemorial and no followers of any religion can claim to be immune to this habit. If a country is a declared Darul Islam (absolute majority of practicing Muslims) than homosexuality is a cardinal sin and subject to the rule of Shariah Code, provided the offender is also a Muslim. India is neither DI nor the Indian Constitution has permitted the prosecution if the act is committed with mutual consent by mature individuals.

The deceased Professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras was a Reader and Head of Modern Indian Languages department. He was suspended on February 9 for being gay (his partner was a rickshaw puller and he was an outsider) under Rule 403 – C of University Statute which covers gross misconduct.

He was not a Muslim and laws of Shariah were not applicable for him. His acts of homosexuality didn’t involve any student of the university and he did what he did exclusively in his private apartment. It was none of the University’s business.

Action should have been taken against those who had put the cameras in his private space. Instead of prosecuting these peeping toms and sting operators, a learned scholar was sacrificed at the altar of high standard of morality. Whatever might be the reasons for his death, no one can deny that he was forced to absolute humiliation and social mental torture as the university administration took a hasty action to prove their efficient HMS (high moral standard).

While no one can make a generalized statement in such a situation, one can ask these mace bearers of high morality if they can with 100 % assurance that the practice of homosexuality had never been or is not there today in absolute clinical terms? How many incidents have been reported in the past and what punishments were given? The ‘holier than thou’ attitude does no favour any ideology. May be the Old Boys of Aligarh would recollect and recall a few famous names of the past who were known for this activity. This unfortunate professor deserved a better treatment.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Apr
07
2010

Give us back our pleasant ‘Khuda Hafiz’

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As this scribe has earlier mentioned, there is no problem in using both the words. But the problem lies the hidden intentions behind the effort to change.

ON SPETEMBER 19, 2009 in these columns of “merinews” this humble scribe had written an article : “Khuda Hafiz” against “Allah Hafiz.” Several comments in response were symptomatic of the roots of fundamentalism, obscurantism and fanaticism that has been the hallmark of Talebani Islam. I will give some excerpts of that article to relate it to the latest development taking place in enlightened circles of Muslim Society.

Let me remind the readers that the term Allah Hafiz or Khuda Hafiz are never used in Arab peninsula. It is a pure Moghul – Indian creation. Most of the readers would recollect the famous old song – “Guzra Hua Zamana aata naheen dubarah…Hafiz Khuda tumhara.” These were the most emotional parting words that were common since time immemorial in Urdu-Hindi speaking regions.

The first time Allah Hafiz was used in public was in 1985 by a famous TV host on PTV during the Zia era.

The Wahabbi schools took up the cudgels for the concept as Khuda is more a Persian word and could have some affinity to Iran. Allah Hafiz words have its roots in Pakistan as General Zia-ul Haq, a Wahabbi dictator, with the help of Gulf and American money started setting up mosque-schools in an attempt to pick the kids and softer brains and brain wash them with the heinous Takfiri ideology which approves the killing of innocents in the name of Jihad. This ideology, though originated in Saudi Arabia got easy disciple in poor Islamic countries.

This strain of faith, in a subtler form, is now becoming popular in Indian Muslims; and ‘Tableeghee Jamaat’ has emerged as an equal and opposite reaction to the ideologies propagated by RSS and other similar fanatical outfits. This Jamaat has played the leading in giving currency to this new Pakistan originated “Allah Hafiz” address.

They believed that once they had convinced Muslims to follow the faith by adorning a long beard and hijab, the words Khuda Hafiz would not seem appropriate coming out from the mouths of such Islamic-looking folks. They believed that Khuda can mean any God, whereas the Muslims’ God was Allah.

Some observers suggest that since many non-Muslims also use Khuda Hafiz so it is a cultural pollution. Much water has flown under the bridges of Chenab, Jhelum and Euphrates since then.

As this scribe has earlier mentioned, there is no problem in using both the words. But the problem lies the hidden intentions behind the effort to change. Fanaticism is known for its shrewd clandestine strategies and these appear in the subtlest forms.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Apr
06
2010

A sojourn in idyllic Bavaria

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That fortnight was unusually bad for me. Sometimes your whole universe comes crushing down before your eyes and you just watch yourself being torn apart. You are compelled to become a helpless spectator of your own destruction. You accept what you see and you sleep while your eyes remain open. It often happens with many if not with every one. Personal life is too private and I won’t strain my readers with my trials, tribulations and travails. To make it short the critical moment when I was sinking in the morass of life a child hood friend who had well ensconced himself in Germany, offered me a change of the situation. He suggested a few days visit to Germany with a promise that it would alter my perception of situation no matter how bad it could have been.

It is easy to hop around the different cities in Europe than any other continent. You don’t need visa of every country if you got for one. London had become too mundane and sanctimonious to brighten up a bruised soul. I quickly packed my necessary baggage, took the earliest flight for Munich and sallied forth into the world of Mercedes, BMW’s and Porches. A day in the Munich and walk-through tour of the city did make some subtle difference but the next day’s program was a secret that my friend advised to appreciate the way it comes.

Next morning he announced that we were going to Dachau. The very mention of the name of this town conjures up some deadliest memories of human history. As early as 1935 there were jingles warning: “Dear God, make me dumb, that I may not to Dachau come.” Dachau concentration camp (German: Konzentrationslager (KZ) Dachau) was the first Nazi concentration camp opened in Germany. It is located on the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory near the medieval town of Dachau, about 16 km northwest of Munich in the state of Bavaria, a state of Kings and aristocrats and it is located in southern Germany. Dachau served as a prototype and model for the other Nazi concentration camps that followed. Almost every community in Germany had members taken away to these camps. It was opened in March 1933. Heinrich Himmler, the Chief of Police of Munich had officially described this camp as “the first concentration camp for political prisoners.

We took Metro train No. S-2 from Munich Hoptbahnof in the direction Petershasun. Travel time was only 20 Minutes. From Dachau Rly Stn we boarded bus No. 726 to reach camp site, the first destination of our day.

“I’ve brought you a place where once every hope, every dream, every aspiration and every sense that nature has vested in a human beings was paired down to absolute minimum. You can’t fall down further. There existed no abyss after this.” My friend told me as we approached the main Gate. Dachau is city that runs in circle and as a pantry man informed – even today the spirits of the victims roam in circles here. More than 2 lakhs prisoners from more than 30 countries were housed in Dachau of whom two-thirds were political prisoners and nearly one-third were Jews. 25,613 prisoners are believed to have died in the camp and almost another 10,000 in its sub camps primarily from disease, malnutrition and suicide. In early 1945, there was a typhus epidemic in the camp followed by an evacuation, in which large numbers of the weaker prisoners died.

On 29 April 1945, KZ Dachau was surrendered to the American Army by SS-Sturmscharführer Heinrich Wicker. A vivid description of the surrender appears in Brig. Gen. Henning Linden’s official “Report on Surrender of Dachau Concentration Camp”:

“As we moved down along the west side of the concentration camp and approached the southwest corner, three people approached down the road under a flag of truce. We met these people about 75 yards north of the southwest entrance to the camp. These three people were a Swiss Red Cross representative and two SS troopers who said they were the camp commander and assistant camp commander and that they had come into the camp on the night of the 28th to take over from the regular camp personnel for the purpose of turning the camp over to the advancing Americans. The Swiss Red Cross representative acted as interpreter and stated that there were about 100 SS guards in the camp who had their arms stacked except for the people in the tower. He said he had given instructions that there would be no shots fired and it would take about 50 men to relieve the guards, as there were 42,000 half-crazed prisoners of war in the camp, many of them typhus infected.”

I was feeling nausea and wanted to leave the sight immediately.
“Do you realize that there are and there had been and there would always be people who are more unfortunate than you ? I have booked a taxi for Lake Steinberg !” I was listening to my friend. In a few minutes a smart lady appeared with her cab and we got into it leaving behind the goriest sight of human depravity.

Within minutes we were in a different world. Along the roads there were shady tree-lined avenues, tranquil orchards, cobbled streets and we passed through the villages whose farmsteads and houses have retained much of their original charm. White stork could be seen as reminder of virgin nature. We saw the glittering waterways and wooded hills. fortified stone churches and beautiful hard working people. Finally we reached Lake Steinberg. Glaciers and melt water from the last ice age formed a landscape here that has a touch of Switzerland about it. Lush green pine covered hills surround the idyllic lake. You can observe very closely how geology was shaped by the last ice age. A whole host of breathtaking sights did wonders to my spirit. It was evening on the road and we had a nice discussion with our beautiful taxi driver who was not that smart in English :

“My mother taxi; my father taxi; me taxi…”
“What about your kids ?” I asked her.
“No, they go school !”

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Apr
02
2010

Water is thicker than blood in Bhopal

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Water is thicker than blood in Bhopal

Water is thicker than blood in Bhopal

Once upon a time Bhopal was known for its aristocratic culture. It was a city of Tals (ponds), Talees (clapping) , Taams (royal cuisines), Tanpooras (musical instruments) and poets. Today, most of that has gone into the folklore.

THESE DAYS if one walks around the lanes and by-lanes of any Indian cosmopolitan city, one will find an unpleasant scene of empty bottles of liquor, glistening discarded bottle covers in the middle of the roads and on the side-walks – thanks to our neo-rich emerging culture, prosperity and powerful advertisement campaigns. Despite that a huge section of population even today waits in long queues for the Jal Board trucks to arrive for the supply of water.

Once upon a time Bhopal was known for its aristocratic culture. It was a city of Tals (ponds), Talees (clapping) , Taams (royal cuisines), Tanpooras (musical instruments) and poets. Today, most of that has gone into the folklore. Stories of fairy tales have been replaced by the stories of miseries of the victims of Union Carbide Gas tragedy. The gas tragedy was a result of sheer negligience. Unfortunately corruption is on a high and the corrupt officials never allowed the compensation money to reach the actual victims.

Last year Bhopal witnessed a triple murder in a dispute over water . Jeevan Malviya, 42, his wife and son were killed in a violent squabble that broke out when they tried to draw water from a leaky municipal water supply line.

Three days later, another murder took place in Bhopal in the Kanha Saiya area following a dispute between two groups over fetching water, forcing the administration to ensure the distribution of water in the presence of police. Immediately after the crisis an official spoke to the public saying that 100 home guards have been sent to take care of the problem. It barred people from gathering along the 122-km Nemawar water supply line after several cases of water pilferage were reported. Policemen even today guards the length of the pipeline.

But even before people could be convinced about the efforts of the government officials, a teenager was stabbed to death by her neighbour over drinking water dispute.

The incident took place at Bakshibagh area in the city when Poonam Yadav (18), standing outside her house was attacked by Hukum Gaur with a knife. Poonam was rushed to the hospital where she was declared dead. In the preliminary investigation, it was found that due to water crisis in the city, the victim’s family members had earlier requested Gaur’s family members to stop drawing water from their tap, police said.

While people here are being stabbed to death for such a basic necessity,others are enjoying the resource in abundance.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Mar
31
2010

In the dark shadows of Char Minar

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Char Minar

Char Minar

A city of rich cultural heritage, a melting pot of different religions, nationalities and civilizations, Hyderabad has been a seat of harmony and brotherhood. But today it stands reduced to a battle ground for vested interests and fanatical politics.

HYDERABAD, A city of rich cultural heritage, a melting pot of different religions, nationalities and civilizations and bearer of a unique style of communication is sending a different message to the world today. It is turning out to be the battle ground for vested interests and fanatical politics. For long there was peace and prosperity and it was visible in every sphere of life. President Clinton’s visit made it a city of reckoning on the world map. Unfortunately, for some this scenario of amity and good-will was too much to bear.

On February 24th, the Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations were being carried out in full swing. Green Flags were fluttering in the entire Old City. One month later, these flags were removed to put up saffron flags marking the Sri Ram Navami celebrations on March 24 in Madannapet (near Saidabad Colony), marking the first of the tensions. On March 27, organizers of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in Moosa Bowli in the Old City tried to hoist their flags, removing the ones that had been put up for Milad-un-Nabi. After heated arguments there were clashes and then it was a free for all.

On the following Sunday, at around 11am, the BJP state unit president G Kishan Reddy and Himayatnagar MLA Baddam Bal Reddy were prevented from visiting the Peepal Hanuman temple in Moosabowli by the police, where clashes had occurred on Saturday night. Angered, the locals attacked houses and shops of the other community who retaliated with equal vengeance.

Latest Intelligence reports reveal that a key Karnataka BJP minister and Bellary strongman allegedly paid radical outfits to orchestrate riots in the city. A minister, who runs mines in AP, had developed a grouse against the K. Rosaiah government for its swift action in curbing illegal mining and transport of ore and for its cancellation of mine leases. Using his money power, this minister had reportedly arranged funding to different outfits in the city. The state Congress leadership, which has got the information about the Karnataka minister’s alleged role, has communicated it to the AICC leadership. It is learnt that Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, who was briefed about the intelligence findings, has directed the state government to take firm steps in handling the law and order situation.

Meanwhile, Vijayawada Congress MP, Lagadapati Rajagopal, who met the Congress president’s political secretary, Ahmed Patel, also alleged that the Hyderabad riots were the handiwork of the BJP.
“It is all happening after Kishen Reddy took the reins of the party in the state,” he said. “The BJP wants to prove its existence in Hyderabad through this.” He appealed to the state government to curb the incidents with an iron hand and warned that Pakistan’s ISI would further exploit the situation.

Needless to say the victims of riots are always poor. Poverty has no religion. The riot-hit families never have any hope that the marauders will ever be brought to book. At best, some innocent people will be made scapegoats. Experience has made cynics of ordinary citizens.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Mar
29
2010

Crocodile tears and lip sympathy of BJP for Sikhs

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Narendra Modi finally steps into the SIT’s witness box to explain his role in the 2002 communal violence that engulfed Gujarat, which lives on as one of the most scarring episodes in our recent history. This is a reminder why the trials must be exemplary, and one that holds the state machinery of that time to full answer on their complicity.

This special investigation team, headed by a former CBI director, was set up last year on the National Human Rights Commission’s plea to track 14 of the most critical cases from sites like Gulbarg Society, Naroda Patiya and Sadarpur. This is the first, preliminary step to determine whether Zakia Jafri’s (widow of a Congress MP killed in one of the communal flashpoints) testimony has enough substance for a full-blown FIR and criminal investigations against Modi and the other accused. Despite the Supreme Court’s full backing, the SIT’s integrity has been questioned by a range of civil society voices, who claimed that three of the investigating officers are from Gujarat cadre, one even directly implicated in Jafri’s list. But both Modi and the SIT director took pains to clarify that his interrogation was conducted by a non-Gujarat officer. The questioning lasted nine hours, though there is little detail on the content of the proceedings.

The legal process on Gujarat so far resembles an obstacle race, and it has created an exploitable vacuum — on one hand, stories about the 2002 violence have been inflated and dramatised by many activists, as if the real violence wasn’t terrible enough. On the other hand, Modi’s ideological brethren have reacted with defiance, keeping up a mechanical “1984” chant every time the matter is brought up. Of course, the Congress’s glibness was also on display, as they dismissed Modi’s SIT appearance. “In public perception, Modi has been held guilty,” the Congress spokesperson sweepingly claimed — never mind what public perception is of the 1984 accused who have managed to dodge justice this far. Between them, they have managed to reduce the tangible horror of Gujarat into a set of rhetorical talking points. Activists too must resist the temptation to turn every development into a point-scoring opportunity. It would be a great disservice to the victims if we turn the tragedy into a tale told, and distract from the laborious, important work left — that of making sure that we clinically extract a thorough accounting from those in Gujarat’s
administration during those awful days in 2002.

Crocodile tears of BJP for SIKH communityBy: Naim Naqvi | Monday , 29 Mar ‘10 10:32:54 AM  Reply | Forward  1984 was the horrendous incident of history. The perpetrators of that unfortunate aberration should have been dealt with long ago. Please tell me if congress was complacent than who stopped your great able Statesman P.M.Vajpayee and your Steel Loh Purush Advani to expedite the investigations when they were in power? Why they wasted so many years and didn’t bring the SIKH killing episode to the logical end ? These RSS bajrangess who are shedding crocodile tears for Sikhs today have no sympathy with any one. They need their votes and money to stay in power in Punjab and keep calling Congress names. I can understand the vulnerability of Sikh community to the propaganda of RSS but I’m sure, by now, they also have realized that this fascist organization which has many venomous heads of chimera is cornering the cow to the shed. They are trying to milk the cow of Sikh sympathy to divert the attention from the noose that is tightening for alleged complicity and patronage of Mody.

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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Mar
28
2010

WWF- India must apologise to Abhishek Bachchan

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Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan

Conservation and environmental protection are laudable objectives but conservation of human values and fundamental principles of decency are also equally important.

TO ME Abhishek Bachchan is no different then any of the lucky breed of politicians, businessmen, actors. That they should enjoy the fruits of their heritage is very much in consonance with the law of nature. We, the lesser mortals, may feel envy, jealousy, helplessness, resentment or satisfaction and pleasure on their lot but it doesn’t matter. They have every right to avail what has fallen in their lap. I do also firmly believe that no one should deprive them of their bounties as long as they follow the laws of civilised society. Simply they are luckier than others.

The subject of this discussion is Abhishek Bachchan. He is a thorough gentleman and a tolerably good actor, a lucky husband. That he has got easy lollipops in the beginning of his career was never unexpected.

However, being the son of a mega star didn’t help him much. Those who were jealous of the success of Amitabh tried to smother the career of his son. He is not counted much even today.

Though I have never liked the politics of Amitabh Bachcan, I have always held him in high regards for his acting talents. I have always felt that artists, being impulsive and emotional, are not the correct material for politics. These masters of acting can play their roles with aplomb only on stage or screen. They are incapable to play and survive in the dirty game of politics because they don’t understand it. Ronald Reagan or MGR and some of his / her peers are exceptions to the rule. Amitabh got his fingers burned in politics long ago and he should have withdrawn. Today, the humiliation heaped on his son is not at all the result of Abhishek’s doing. If WWF was so afraid of government, why did this body involve Junior Bachchan in the campaign from the beginning? It had no right to insult junior Bachchan. This act is unethical and must be condemned in highest terms.

For the benefit of the readers I would shed some light on WWF – India itself.

First, it is not a government body and it takes its decisions independently. WWF-India is one of the largest conservation organisation engaged in wildlife and nature conservation in the country. It was established as a charitable trust on November 27, 1969, and it has an experience of over four decades in the field. From a modest beginning, the organisation was propelled forward by the efforts of its founders and associates who volunteered their time and energy to lend momentum to this movement. A part of WWF International, the organisation has made its presence felt through a sustained effort not only towards nature and wildlife conservation, but sensitising people by creating awareness through capacity building and enviro-legal activism. A challenging, constructive, science-based organisation WWF addresses issues like the survival of species and habitats, climate change and environmental education.

Historically, WWF-India started as a wildlife conservation organisation with a focus on protecting a particular species of wild flora and fauna. Over the years, the perspective broadened to reflect a more holistic understanding of conservation issues facing the country. To suit India’s specific ecological and socio-cultural situation, WWF-India articulated its mission in 1987 as follows:
“The promotion of nature conservation and environmental protection as the foundation for sustainable and equitable development.”

Conservation and environmental protection are laudable objectives but conservation of human values and fundamental principles of decency are also equally important. Humiliating Abhishek Bachchan was a mistake, an umbrage, a faux pas and it was done just to be in the good books of the Gandhi family. It would boomerang even upon those whom they have tried to please. There is no compromise on basic principles. Apologise before its too late!

Naim Naqvi

Naim Naqvi

Did his graduation in Science discipline from AMU in 1972-73. He was Secretary of University Ali Society in 1970 and M.M. Hall Literary Society in early 70 's and member of Tayyabji Literary Society. Did his Diploma in Bakery Administration from HTT College Oxford Street London in 1987. Worked with National Herald - Delhi, Blitz - Bombay as Trainee Journalist and in Production Department with 'Naya Sansar Pictures' of Khwaja Ahmed Abbas at Bombay in early 70's. Traveled for study and training purposes to Germany, U.K., Switzerland, France, Dubai, Oman, AbuDhabi, Bahrain and Philepines.

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