Nagpur: May 14: The thirty-day-long Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Tritiya Varsh Sangh Shiksha Varg (Third Year Training Camp) was inaugurated by Shri Anil sole, mayor of Nagpur city. The camp holds special importance in RSS as the karyakarta trained in this camp plays a major role in the growth of RSS work.

The programme was inaugurated by lighting a traditional lamp. RSS Saha Sarakaryawah Dattatreyaji Hosbale welcomed and introduced the guests.

In his inaugural address, Nagpur Mayor Anil Sole welcomed the swayamsevaks to the green city and gave a brief account of the development activities that are being carried out in the region. He further said that being swayamsewak he takes the responsibility for development of city. And will ensure that the image of RSS will not maligned among the public. He describes Nagpur city as the ‘Gangotri’ of Sangh.

RSS Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh Dr. Manmohan Vaidya will be Palak Adhikari during the camp. Gujarat Prant Sanghchalkak Dr Jayantibhai Bhadesiya (Gujrat Prant Sangh chalak) will be Sarvadhikari for this camp. Jasvantji Khatri (Jodhpur Prant Karyawah) will be Karyawah of this camp.

Mayor Anilji Sole was felicitated at the hands of Sureshji Soni. Over 1000 swayamsevaks from all parts of the nation are participating in this camp. This camp will conclude on June 12.

Source: http://samvada.org/2012/news/month-long-rss-national-level-training-camp...

Here is Dr Praven Togadia’s letter to the Hon. Prime Minister of India that is Bharat with a copy to the Secretary General of the UN, Head of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, India’s Home Minister & External Affairs Minister, Hon. President of India, President Vladimir Putin – Russia, President Obama – US and the Hon Chief Justice of Hon Supreme Court of India.

It is about the Rohingya Muslims infiltrated in India & straight now parking themselves in front of the UNHCR office & in nearby Mosques demanding Refugee status. These Rohingya Muslims have proven Jehadi Terror links as per the other attached documents as Appendix (total 4). The same Rohingya Muslims did massacre & ethnic cleansing of Buddhists recently in their area that is Arakan between Bangla Desh & Myanmar for demanding separate Islamic state. Some Buddhists like Chakma tribe who survived there, are now in Tripura of India. Rohingyas are projecting themselves as victims, however, there is a current alert about their Jehadi terror links with LET, ISI, Al Qaeda, HUJI, IM & others related to Agfhan Taliban who fought with Russia & also the groups in Kashmir.

From Dr Pravin Togadia,

International Working President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP),

Sankatmochan, Sector 6, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110020

Date: May 14, 2012

URGENT LETTER TO THE HON. PRIME MINISTER, INDIA THAT IS BHARAT

Shri Manmohan ji Singh,

Hon. Prime Minister,

Govt of India

New Delhi

Subject: Infiltrators named ‘Rohingya Muslims’ from Bangla Desh in Delhi demanding refugee status from the United Nations (UN) through United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Delhi.

Reference: Information from various authentic sources & complaints that we received from the residents of the related areas in New Delhi and attached appendix (total 4) about terror links of Rohingya Muslims.

Dear Sir,

Jai Shreeram. With reference to the above, I hereby wish to draw your attention to the following extremely urgent issues related to India’s safety & security:

1. Approximately 3000+ Rohingya Muslims infiltrated from Bangla Desh border & reached up to India’s capital New Delhi have parked themselves – men, women, children etc. – in various areas in & around New Delhi. Before we get into the basic question that how such a large number of infiltrating groups could even enter India’s border & reach nation’s capital, I wish to inform you that this large group of Rohingya Muslims has been creating danger & dirt for the residents of New Delhi especially near the UNHCR office in Vasant Vihar, demanding Refugee Status from the UN.
2. After much complaining & our peaceful intervention, these Rohingya Muslims have been now sheltered in the Mosques in the villages near Vasant Vihar area of New Delhi where the UNHCR office is located. They have been sheltered there by the Ex Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamic University Mr. Nawab Zafar Jung who also happens to be now a sitting member of the Government of India’s Monitoring Committee for Minority Education.
3. Holding a Govt post & yet helping the illegal infiltrators not only reach New Delhi all the way from the Bangla Desh – Myanmar border, but also sheltering them in the mosques nearby despite complaints by the local residents, is a completely anti-national activity by a Govt Committee member.
4. For your ready reference: Rohingya Muslims is the community that is born of Burmese (Myanmar) mothers & Bangla Desh Muslim Fathers & the community follows Islam. Staying in Arakan area at the border of Bangla Desh & Myanmar, they are internationally known for the massacres & ethnic cleansing of Buddhists (Chakma Buddhists & others) that Rohingya Muslims did just 10-15 years back.
5. Some of the survived Buddhists are still staying in the worse human conditions in India that is Bharat in Tripura & surrounding areas. Rohingyas are also known for killing thousands of people from Jumma Tribe in their area.

1. Rohingya Muslims, the way they have suddenly popped up in New Delhi with the help of local Muslims in Bharat, also tried to infiltrate Thailand & create terror there. Thailand has therefore banned the entry of Rohingya Muslims.  (Reference: Attached Appendix)

1. More so, as the said Rohingya Muslims have a track record of Jehadi Terrorism, not just in their own area that is a Arakan at Bangla Desh – Myanmar border, but also in Afghanistan, on Russia Border, Thailand & Saudi Arabia etc. (Please refer to the attached Appendix Number 1: Bin Laden & Rohingya Muslims – Weekly Blitz, Appendix 2: Paper – Suicide Jihadi Terrorism in Bangla Desh- by Shri B. Raman, Additional Secretary (Retd.), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt of India & Director, Institute for Tropical Studies, Chennai & other attached documents)

1. The above documents by the authentic sources clearly prove that the Rohingya Muslims are directly involved in Jehadi Terror activities independently & also through their Terror outfit RSO (Rohingya Solidarity Organization). The above documents mentioned in my point number 7 also prove in no uncertain terms the serious links of Rohingya Muslims with HUJI, Al Qaeda, ISI, LET & other Jehadi operatives in Pakistan, Bangla Desh, Afghanistan & more importantly, in Jammu & Kashmir.

1. American Govt has issued a serious Jehadi Threat alert about the Rohingya Muslim community recently & also declared them terrorists since they fought hand in hand with Talibans in Afghanistan on the border of Russia during Afghanistan – Russia war. (Apart from the above ref documents: See Appendix 3: Bangla Desh- Breeding Ground for Terror – Asia Times printed interview of American Govt & Military officials – CNN) This clearly mentions specific Rohingya Muslims as Jehadi terror group having links with most Jehadi operatives for current & active Jehad.

10. There are over 40+ Lakh (4 Million) Rohingya Muslims in the world. They are spread as follows:

a)    Burma : 20 Lakh (2 M)

b)    Bangla Desh : 6 Lakhs (0.6 M)

c)    Pakistan: 3.5 Lakh (0.35 M)

d)    Saudi Arabia: 4 Lakh (0.4 M)

e)    Thailand: 1 Lakh (0.1 M)

11. Rohingya Muslims’ mother country Myanmar, with the new democratic rule there now, has asked them to get out due to their Jehadi activities & mainly because of their war against Myanmar for creating a separate Islamic State – Arakan.

1. 12.  After using Rohingya Muslims for spreading Jehadi terror all over the world, in Myanmar & in Bharat, now Bangla Desh has realized that globally Rohingya Muslims are now exposed in Jehadi Terror & creating a separate state dividing Bangla Desh, now their father’s country Bangla Desh also is chasing them out.

1. 13.  After trying to settle in Thailand etc & being shunned everywhere because of Jehadi Terror links, now the Rohingya Muslims have fixed their eyes on India that is Bharat. Therefore, over 3000+ of them have parked themselves in & around capital New Delhi demanding Refugee Status by the UN.

14. With men, women, children (2 women even delivered kids in Delhi recently!), these Rohingya Muslims are now playing a diplomatic Jehadi war against Bharat by pushing the UN to give them Refugee status. This means that Bharat will never be then able to ask them to leave Bharat irrespective of their Jehadi Terror links or activities. At this moment only 3000+ Rohingya Muslims are seen in Delhi, but the way they entered Bharat all the way from Bangla Desh border, proves that they have strong support from either the Jehadi groups in Bharat or/ and by the Govts. Otherwise without any interruption, such a large group of infiltrators known for Jehad would have never reached New Delhi. And after reaching there, would not have been sheltered, supported & lobbied for by the Govt committee member.

15. The Rohingya Muslims, well taken care of by such groups & a few students unions in Delhi have been doing international Public Relations & lobbying projecting them as ‘victims’ of bangle Desh’s tyranny & therefore getting Refugee Status to force Govt of India to give them shelter, food, education, jobs & then citizenship to their kids. At this moment, even though only 3000+ are seen in Delhi, they either may be hiding all over India or waiting to hoard immediately in India once they get the Refugee status.

16. As the Rohingya Muslims are responsible for the massacre & ethnic cleansing of the peace loving Buddhists like Chakma Buddhists etc in the Arakan area near India border, any effort of Govt of India to help Rohingya Muslims will permanently spoil Indi’s relations with all Buddhists & Buddhist nations hurting over 100 Crore (1000 Million) Buddhists & more than that Hindus globally & in India!

Our Urgent Demands:

1. Rohingya Muslims are known & proven Jehadi Terrorists condemned by & currently alerted about by the American & European Govts, Russian Govt & by the international terrorism research groups & institutions. Sheltering them in India means sheltering Jehadi Terror. We demand that the Govt of India immediately deport them from where they came without any further delay.
2. There should be a blanket ban on the entry of the Rohingya Muslims into India from any border or by any means.
3. Govt of India should write to the United Nations & to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) in New York & in New Delhi NOT to give them any status (Refugee, Asylum Seeker or any such) ever.
4. As Rohingya Muslims are directly involved in the HUJI, IM, Pakistan’s ISI & other such Jehadi linked terror in Jammu & Kashmir as well as on the borders, those who helped them enter India, travel through various Indian states up till Delhi, gave them shelter & other help should immediately prosecuted for Treason & under all prevailing anti Terror laws.

Page 4

1. Once it is found out exactly who are the people & institutions have been helping Jehadi Terror Group Rohingya Muslims, in India, such institutions should be banned & people running them should be prosecuted.
2. India that is Bharat already has been facing various Jehadi terror threats. Despite international terror alert about Rohingya Muslims, if Govt of India does not take immediate actions against them, then this would clearly mean a political decision to support Jehadi terror group. This will put Bharat’s safety & security in danger.
3. Considering the relations of India with America & Russia, sheltering the Rohingya Muslims despite these countries warning about them will permanently spoil India’s diplomatic relations with them. Therefore, Govt of India should take help from America & Russia to prevail on the UN for not giving Refugee status to Rohingya Muslims.
4. This is an urgent matter as the Rohingya Muslims have been bragging that on May 15, 2012 they will get the Refugee status by the UN. Therefore, if the Govt of India is truly serious about the war against terror as it keeps on saying on various forums, then leaving aside the slow Govt processes, every step should be taken to stop the UN from giving Refugee status to the Rohingya Muslims as it will not only harm the majority of Bharat but will lead to the second partition as well as destruction of resources of Bharat with over 40 Lakh (4 Million) Rohingya Muslims putting their additional load on India with their Jehadi terror links!

Dhanyavaad & hoping for a quick & concrete action against Rohingya Muslims

 Sincerely

Dr Pravin Togadia

Copy to:

1. The Secretary General, United Nations, New York, USA
2. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – HO, New York
3. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – New Delhi
4. The Hon. President – India
5. The Home Minister, Govt of India
6. The External Affairs Minister, Govt of India
7. President, Russia
8. President, United State of America
9. The Hon. Chief Justice, Hon. Supreme Court of India

Attached Appendix:

1. Bin Laden & Rohingya Muslims – Weekly Blitz
2. Paper – Suicide Jihadi Terrorism in Bangla Desh- by Shri B. Raman, Additional Secretary (Retd.), Cabinet Secretariat, Govt of India & Director, Institute for Tropical Studies, Chennai
3. Bangla Desh- Breeding Ground for Terror – Asia Times printed interview of American Govt & Military officials – CNN
4. 4.    Rohingya Terrorism: Terrorism Monitor – Volume 6, Issue 10.

http://samvada.org/2012/news/vhp-writes-to-pm-un-asks-to-deport-jehadi-r...

Samskritham was flowing like a river from the tongue that set fire to cinema theatres. Lal was bowing his head once again before the language of the gods which fills the soul of Indian culture.

After the drama ‘Karnabhaaram’, Mohan Lal has devoted himself once again to the cause of Samskritham through an album prepared by ‘Samskritha Bharathi’. Lal introduces the songs in this album in Samskritham itself. Dubbing took place in Vismaya Studio on Friday. Lal found time for Samskritham while shooting for the film ‘Run Baby Run’ directed by Joshi.

Through this album, Samskritha Bharathi aims to take Samskritham to the common man and make everyone aware .

Lal stood before the mike throughout the dubbing. ‘It is better to stand while speaking in Samskritham,’ he said indicating his respect to the language that is still alive.

There are seven songs in Samskritham in the album. Lal’s job was to give lengthy introductions to the songs. He could pronounce even the not-so-easy sentences. Enquiring and understanding the meaning of each word, Lal read out the sentences after knowing the soul of the sentence. Surprised with Lal’s performance, both music director B. R. Shankaranarayanan and Samskritha Bharathi general secretary Dr P Nandakumar said in a single tone: ‘No one will believe if you say you have not learnt Samskritham.’ ‘It was his performance in ‘Karnabhaaram’ and the words he spoke after receiving the doctorate in literature from the Samskritham University that brought us to Mohanlal,’ they added.

‘Do we not become happy when doing things we have not done before,’ says Mohanlal about his Samskritham programme. He surprised the album’s backstage workers during the dubbing by remembering long dialogues of ‘Karnabhaaram’ which he had acted long back.

Through this album, Samskritha Bharathi aims to take Samskritham to the common man and make everyone aware .

Source:http://samvada.org/2012/news/southern-superstar-mohanlal-bats-for-sanskrit-via-sanskrita-bharati/

Haj subsidy has a long history. It was introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1959. Even then it was vehemently condemned. In 1992, the then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao increased the subsidy substantially, both in terms of money and in terms of the number of pilgrims. The data on the pilgrimage expenditure is not available before 2004. The amount spent in 2004 was Rs 160 crore; in 2005 it was Rs 185.81 crore; and  has grown to Rs 826 crore in 2009. The ten-year period given by the SC is a long time. It should have been stopped forthwith.

There was always a basic question raised against the subsidy. How can a secular government pay for the expenditure of a religious ritual of believers of one sect? In fact, several Hindu organisations started demanding subsidy for Hindu pilgrimages too. A substantial section of the Muslims also opposed the Haj subsidy, terming it as un-Islamic to accept money to perform the Haj. It is safe to say that more or less all sections except the self-serving political class were against the pilgrimage subsidies.

In a spin off, the Andhra Pradesh government in April 2008 under Rajashekhara Reddy and the Tamil Nadu government in December 2011 under Jayalalithaaa announced subsidies for Christians travelling to Jerusalem. Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh announced last month, a 50 per cent subsidy, up to a maximum of Rs 30,000 once in life to pilgrimages to 15 centres in country, holy to different faiths.

India has one of the oldest traditions of thirth. from north to south and east to west, criss-crossing the country millions of Hindus undertake, often rigorous journeys, as part of the completion of rituals in one’s life. Over the decades, several other sections have created pilgrimage centres and rituals in India like visiting the Ajmer Sherif for Muslims and Velankanni for the Christians. Tirth is an exercise in social bonding and cultural integration of the nation.

To begin with, it was an unwise decision to bestow favours on one community in a nation that is pledged to treating all religions equal. That it took the rap of the judges’ gavel to end this subsidy speaks for the lack of political will, as successive governments only went on hiking the Haj ‘quota’ and the subsidy.

On the other hand, the government could spend a part of the money in the upkeep of the pilgrimage centres around the country. Except for a hand-full of well-maintained shrines, the basic amenities at some of the most visited holy places are abysmal. Devotes are often left to the mercy of the touts who fleece them. The governments, while propagating this age-old tradition of thirth, can help in ways other than offering sops and subsidies.

Source: http://samvada.org/2012/others/haj-subsidy-phase-it-out-faster-says-orga...

CPI’s D. Raja said that he was the first person who spoke for the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils. Detailing on the ground realities, Shri Raja said Tamils can live in Sri Lanka but cannot be a part of the ruling set up. Preference to Sinhalese language is given across government jobs and other places. The Sri Lankan Army and Police have almost zero percentage of Tamils. He further explained that after independence, India and Sri Lanka had entered into an agreement under which Sri Lanka sent back a few Tamils to India. This was unfortunate. After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination Tamil movement in Sri Lanka turned into a terrorist movement. Shri Raja further pointed out that today all Tamil monuments are being destroyed in Sri Lanka. Though I am a Communist yet I have to say that Buddhist idols are being put up at the Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. At several places it becomes difficult to distinguish whether the temple is Hindu or a Buddhist. In fact, now the movement has graduated from terror opposition to being a Tamil opposition, said Shri Raja.

The symposium was convened by BJP’s National Spokesperson Smt Nirmala Sitaraman. Shri Chandan Mitra, Shri Tarun Vijay, Smt Jaya Jaitley, Shri R Balashankar, Shri Ram Madhav, Shri NN Jha and several other intellectuals of the society participated in the symposium.

Dr Subramanian Swamy said relations between India and Sri Lanka is both cultural and historical. Lord Ram anointed Vibhishan Ji as the King of Sri Lanka after defeating Ravan. In fact, scientific reports have proved that the DNA of people from India and Sri Lanka are the same. Dr Swamy said that in the wake of these facts the government of India should focus its attention on the plight of ordinary Tamils and not on the LTTE. He added that if India spoils its relations with Sri Lanka then yet another neighbouring country would become our enemy and would then be exploited by China and Pakistan. Dr Swamy further said that the issues of Tamil people are regional and regional issues should not be given precedence over national interest. Due to myopic policies of the present UPA government at the Centre, all neighbouring countries are turning hostile towards India which marks a big diplomatic failure of the government, he said.

Shri Balbir Punj said that Sri Lankan Parliament has a statue of Vibhishan Ji, who is revered and acknowledged by Sri Lankans as their first King. Shri Punj added that though Sri Lankan people do not understand much of Hindi yet they love and watch Hindi movies and like listening to Hindi songs. He further said that Lankans are followers of Buddhism and have a deep regard towards India. Yet, Tamil and Sinhalese live in complete separation in Sri Lanka. Sri Punj, further explained that Lankan Army has been imposed in all Tamil dominated areas and the situation is so grim that if any individual from the Tamil community wants to organize a function or a party, he/she needs to first inform the Army. No decision can be taken without Army’s permission, he added. Shri Punj said various associations of Sri Lankan Tamils have told him that they all want and favour an undivided Sri Lanka.

CPI’s D. Raja said that he was the first person who spoke for the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils. Detailing on the ground realities, Shri Raja said Tamils can live in Sri Lanka but cannot be a part of the ruling set up. Preference to Sinhalese language is given across government jobs and other places. The Sri Lankan Army and Police have almost zero percentage of Tamils. He further explained that after independence, India and Sri Lanka had entered into an agreement under which Sri Lanka sent back a few Tamils to India. This was unfortunate. After Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination Tamil movement in Sri Lanka turned into a terrorist movement. Shri Raja further pointed out that today all Tamil monuments are being destroyed in Sri Lanka. Though I am a Communist yet I have to say that Buddhist idols are being put up at the Hindu temples in Sri Lanka. At several places it becomes difficult to distinguish whether the temple is Hindu or a Buddhist. In fact, now the movement has graduated from terror opposition to being a Tamil opposition, said Shri Raja.

The symposium was convened by BJP’s National Spokesperson Smt Nirmala Sitaraman. Shri Chandan Mitra, Shri Tarun Vijay, Smt Jaya Jaitley, Shri R Balashankar, Shri Ram Madhav, Shri NN Jha and several other intellectuals of the society participated in the symposium.

Source: http://samvada.org/2012/news/regional-issues-should-not-precede-over-national-interest-dr-swamy-at-india-foundation-lecture/

GVL Narasimha Rao

The Congress party and its proxies may have succeeded in unleashing a vicious campaign in the media against the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi but are certain to face a shocking defeat when the state goes to polls later this year. A statewide opinion poll undertaken by the popular news website LensOnNews.com predicts a landslide victory for Narendra Modi-led BJP in the forthcoming Gujarat assembly polls.

The poll predicts that the BJP will win the highest ever tally of 127 to 138 seats (compared to 117 in 2007 and 127 in 2002) in the 182-seat assembly, while the Congress’ tally is likely to plunge to between 36 and 46 (as against 59 seats in the last election).

While a victory in Gujarat elections for the Modi-led BJP is a foregone conclusion, it is the scale of the projected victory that would astound many. So, what are the factors that are likely to deliver the biggest ever mandate for Narendra Modi in Gujarat. It is development, development and development.

Voters belonging to all regions, urban and rural areas, castes, age groups, occupational groups and political loyalties are unanimous in giving credit to Narendra Modi for the unprecedented growth in the last five years. Unlike in 2002 and 2007, when there were some regional variations in voting patterns, this year’s election is likely to witness a pro-incumbency wave across all regions.

Modi’s rivals have tried to create and exploit fault lines in the caste mosaic of the state by organizing caste Sammelans to stoke anti-Modi feelings among certain castes. Evidently, these are not working. People of Gujarat enjoying the fruits of development aren’t impressed by their efforts aimed at creating caste divisions to bolster their political project in Gujarat. Even as Patels continue to back the BJP as strongly as before –foiling attempts to pit numerically strong Leuva Patels against Kadwa Patels– voters across all castes are veering towards the BJP mainly on account of state government’s track record. Even strong supporters of Congress party concede that the state has witnessed rapid progress and want continuation of Narendra Modi’s rule in Gujarat. Development successes have a magnetic appeal and their reach has transcended caste and community barriers.

The LensOnNews poll shows that the report card of Gujarat government is impressive in all fronts: sixty-nine per cent of those polled say that the rural areas have witnessed development in the last five years; 79 per cent report that the state has progressed in industrialization; and 75 per cent credit the Gujarat government for job creation. Such widespread approval for the state government’s achievements has had a ripple effect and has produced a positive political environment for the BJP in the state elections.
In stark contrast, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre presents a dismal picture. People of Gujarat blame the central government squarely for the problems of price rise and corruption which are dominating concerns of voters all over the country. Sixty-one per cent hold the Centre to blame for both corruption and price rise, while a much smaller number (22 and 24 per cent respectively) lay the blame on the state government for these maladies. The poor performance of the central government has further accentuated the state government’s positive assessment and has diminished Congress party’s appeal to the state’s electorate.

Riot Cases

Many may believe that the overwhelmingly favourable electoral situation in Gujarat is a public reaction to the desperate attempts of the Congress party and its proxies to implicate Narendra Modi in a host of riot cases. I would tend to disagree. From all interactions I have had with people, the support for Modi-led BJP in elections is primarily due to a rational assessment of his government’s performance. Emotional issues have so far not influenced the voting patterns in the state.

But in the course of election campaign, the ongoing riot cases in courts would be raised both by the BJP and the Congress. When Narendra Modi hits out at rivals for targeting him to hurt Gujarat’s progress, believe you me, even the Congress supporters would get swayed. One can safely assume that he would be liberally helped in this effort by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. When the Congress realises that it has a lost case in Gujarat, it would try to occupy a “moral high ground” by launching a verbal offensive against Modi and preaching “secular” lessons. What else can mother-son duo say in their campaigns to seek votes in Gujarat? There would be no takers if they target Modi over his development record and praise their own at the Centre!!

The Gujarat election results would have far reaching consequences for national politics. After the Congress party’s shock defeats in a series of elections, the countdown for the UPA government at the Centre would begin soon after Congress party’s humiliating defeat in Gujarat assembly elections. On the other hand, with yet another spectacular win in Gujarat, Narendra Modi would loom large on the national stage and would emerge as the center of attraction in national politics. The coming year would be eventful in national politics and Gujarat elections would provide the spur and spark in shaping the future of Indian politics.

(The writer is a leading Psephologist and Political Analyst)

Source: http://organiser.org//Encyc/2012/5/12/PSEPHOLOGY.aspx?NB=&lang=4&m1=&m2=...

New Delhi: Personal liberty is the "most precious and prized right" guaranteed by the Indian constitution and it can't be taken away without following the due procedure of law, says the Supreme Court.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kalyani Vishnu, a Class 12 student from here, was Saturday declared the top scorer in the Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination, which she passed with 99 per cent marks.

New Delhi: Congress leader Sajjan Kumar Saturday told a Delhi court, where he is facing trial in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has played a fraud on him.

Sensing the possibility of regaining power in Karnataka after nearly eight years, the Congress is actively preparing itself for the assembly polls due early next year even as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hurtles from one crisis to the other.

What is noteworthy about the cartoon row is that neither Jawaharlal Nehru nor B.R. Ambedkar found anything objectionable about it when it was published in 1949. Nor did all the politicians in the intervening decades, among whom were luminaries such as Vallabhbhai Patel, J.B. Kripalani, Ram Manohar Lohia, Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Jagjivan Ram, A.K. Gopalan, Hiren Mukherjee and scores of others whose names are likely to last in textbooks longer than of some of their successors in the political field today.

Rubbishing all criticism of Manmohan Singh being a weak Prime Minister, law minister Salman Khurshid today said he is the best person for the job and has provided "thoughtful, philosophical" leadership in uncertain times.

Jan Myrdal, son of the celebrated Nobel laureate couple--Gunnar and Alva Myrdal--is banned from visiting India because the government believes he is a Maoist supporter.

Mumbai: Targeting Shah Rukh Khan over the Wankhede incident, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Saturday said the actor did not seem to mind the treatment given by airport authorities in the United States, but was ready to get into fracas here, because "he has Congress's protection".

"Surprisingly, US security officers detain Shah Rukh Khan at the airport...frisk him, but he does not lose his cool. He goes there again and again to get humiliated. But he argues with humble security guards at Wankhede, because here he has the protection of the law, and of Congress," Thackeray said in his editorial in the Sena mouthpiece Saamana.

"Shah Rukh is a good actor but his behaviour at parties, public events is controversial. Recently Saif Ali Khan too behaved this way. Perhaps that's why Centre gave him Padmashri. In that case, Shah Rukh deserves a bigger honour. Please do recommend him for President-nominated Member of Parliament," it said.

If Shah Rukh felt that the security guards misbehaved with him and insulted the kids of `a celebrity', he should have complained to the authorities at Wankhede Stadium. The guards would have been punished without any inquiry," Thackeray said.

The editorial also contrasted Shah Rukh with other members of the film industry. "Amitabh Bachchan and his family members, Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan are also celebrities. But one never hears of they getting into brawls under the influence of alcohol."

It also mentioned recent reports that Bachchan helped some Vidarbha farmers repay their debts. "How many actors have done this?" it asked.

"We wish Shah Rukh success as an actor. He should stay away from fights, brawls, bad language and Pakistan's advocacy," Thackeray said.

Sena had targeted Shah Rukh earlier over his remark that he would have liked to have Pakistani players in the IPL.

Kollam: Two Italian marines charged with murder in the fishermen killing case were today denied bail by a local court on the ground that their release might affect the progress of the case, set to enter the trial stage.

Rejecting the pleas of Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone, detained for the last three months on the charge of shooting to death two Kerala fishermen from an Italian vessel, District and Sessions Judge P D Rajan said releasing them on bail at this juncture might affect the conduct of the case.

The Judge said the prosecution arguments against granting the bail to the accused were valid considering the seriousness of the charges against them and that their presence was essential when the trial began.

Opposing the bail pleas, Public Prosecutor G Mohan Raj argued there could also be possibility of tampering of evidence if the accused were released on bail now.

He said granting bail was also against the larger interest of the state and the public. The marines' presence was required as the investigation had been completed and the trial about to start.

The marines onboard ship 'Enrica Lexie' had allegedly shot dead fishermen Valentine Jalastine and Ajesh Binki on February 15 off Kollam coast, apparently mistaking them for pirates.

The marines, arrested on February 19, are under judicial remand and lodged in the Central Prison at Thiruvanathapuram.

Police had yesterday filed the chargesheet in a court here charging them with murder under the Indian Penal Code and also invoking the International Maritime Law in the incident which had led to a diplomatic row between India and Italy.

Within hours after the chargesheet being filed, Italy called back its Ambassador to India for "consultations".

Italy insists that the incident occurred in international waters and the marines should be tried in Italian courts rather than Indian courts.

New Delhi: BSP on Saturday indicated that it would not be aligning itself with any Third Front in the President's election or the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

"Our party has not thought about. We are not going to fall into traps", party supremo Mayawati told a press conference when asked whether she would initiate any move for formation of a non-NDA and non-UPA alliance for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

She also sounded dismissive about the candidature of former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma floated by BJD and AIADMK.

"I am hearing about Sangma from you only or through the newspapers. But there is no clarity. So what can I say," was her response when asked whether her party would support the tribal leader's candidature.

Playing her cards close to the chest on the issue, the former UP Chief Minister said she cannot speak on it as both the UPA and the NDA are yet announce any name but said she would back a candidate who fits into her party's "line of movement".

"Our party is keeping an eye on all the parties on the issue of the Presidential nominee. We first want to see what candidate UPA and NDA field. As soon as they bring forth their candidates, our party will decide. We will support a candidate, who is suitable to us in the line of our party's movement," she said.

She parried a question on whether the BSP would support Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee if he enters the fray as the UPA candidate.

"When it is not clear as to who is the candidate of UPA or NDA, what can I say about the merits or demerits of a particular candidate. Whichever candidate comes before us, we will see whether he suits our party's line of movement. We will support whoever fits in our party line of movement," Mayawati said.

BSP has 21 members in the Lok Sabha and 15 in the Rajya Sabha. The party has 80 MLAs.

The value of its vote in the electoral college for the Presidential elections is 43,723. The total value of the electoral college is 10,97,012.

The electoral college for the Presidential election consists of the elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies.

Replying to questions about apprehension being expressed over whether UPA government will complete its full term or not, Mayawati said that her party was not in the governmnent but supported it from outside to keep the communal forces at bay.

"We have supported the UPA government at the Centre to weaken the Communal forces. We are supporting it from outside and not inside the government. Whether the government will complete its full term or not, you should ask it to the allies of the government," she said.

The BSP chief also refused to comment on the performance of the UPA goverment,which is completing three years in office in its second term.

Patna: A 12-and-a-half-year-old boy from Bihar has cracked the highly competitive Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE).

Satyam Kumar of Bakhorapur village in Bhojpur district qualified from the Mumbai zone with an all-India rank of 8,137. "I am happy to crack IIT-JEE but I will not join IIT this year because of my poor rank. I will attempt next year for a good rank," Kumar told IANS over telephone Saturday.

Kumar said he was keen to develop a software company on the lines of Facebook. Kumar's father, Sidhnath Singh, a farmer, is proud of him. "It is a matter of pride that my son is the youngest to qualify for IIT-JEE," he said.

Kumar is still awaiting his class 12 results. According to the father, Kumar passed the Class 10 board exam from Modern School in Kota, Rajasthan. He said his son was intelligent since early childhood.

"He used to impress everyone with his talent even when he was barely five years old." This is why, the father said, he sent the boy to Kota for higher education. "The entire village celebrated his success bursting firecrackers and consuming sweets," Singh said.

Lucknow: Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Saturday again asked striking Air Indian pilots to resume work, saying the government was willing to listen to them. Speaking after the inauguration of a new airport terminal here, Singh accused the pilots of being rigid.

He said he failed to understand what good the pilots were doing by going on strike, causing financial losses to the national carrier and leading to the harassment of thousands. "When one goes on strike, there may be some reasons but there is no point in being adamant and holding a system to ransom," he said.

The minister added that the Delhi High Court had ruled that the strike was illegal, "and pilots must abide by the law". Assuring the striking pilots that there would be no victimization, he said he hoped a solution to the impasse would be found soon. The pilots' strike that has gone on for 12 days has cost the national carrier a loss of Rs.200 crore. Several international flights have been cancelled, and the ones that are running have been clubbed with other flights.

Lucknow: At least 16 people returning from a religious congregation were killed and over a dozen injured when a private bus in which they were travelling rammed into a stationary truck and caught fire in Uttar Pradesh's Bahraich district, police said Saturday.

The pilgrims were returning from the Ghazi Miyan ki Dargah in Bahraich after attending an Urs. The bus ploughed into the truck at Tilwarai, some 130 km from here, around midnight Friday. The passengers were on their way to Ajmer in Rajasthan. Officials told IANS that while 16 charred bodies had been sent for autopsy, the disaster site suggested the magnitude of the tragedy could be much higher as the bus was packed to capacity.

"We have been told that there were 78 people in the bus. While many injured have been admitted to different hospitals, we fear the toll may go up," said a home department official. Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.1 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 compensation for those seriously injured, said Labour Minister Waqar Ahmad.

He said the cost of treating the injured people will be met by the government. Two of the injured were referred to Lucknow as their condition deteriorated. Police said it was too early to ascertain the exact reasons that caused the tragedy but they suspected that the impact of the collision led to a spark and some LPG cylinders kept in the bus exploded.