Cultivation of Medicinal Plants in India

India has 15 Agroclimatic zones and 17000-18000 species of flowering plants of which 6000-7000 are estimated to have medicinal usage in folk and documented systems of medicine, like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy.  About 960 species of medicinal plants are estimated to be in trade of which 178 species have annual consumption levels in excess of 100 metric tones.

Medicinal plants are not only a major resource base for the traditional medicine & herbal industry but also provide livelihood and health security to a large segment of Indian population.  The domestic trade of the AYUSH industry is of the order of Rs. 80 to 90 billion (1US$ = Rs.50).  The Indian medicinal plants and their products also account of exports in the range of Rs. 10 billion.

There is global resurgence in traditional and alternative health care systems resulting in world herbal trade which stands at US$ 120 billion and is expected to reach US$ 7 trillion by 2050.  Indian share in the world trade, at present, however, is quite low.

The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) set-up in November 2002 by the Government of India has the primary mandate of coordinating all matters relating to medicinal plants and support policies and programmes for growth of trade, export, conservation and cultivation.  The Board is located in the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy (AYUSH) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Medicinal plants play an important ROLE IN HUMAN LIFE TO COMBAT DISEASES SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL. The rural folks and tribals in India even now depend largely on the surrounding plants/forests for their day-to-day needs. Medicinal plant are being looked upon not only as a source of health care but also as a source of income. The value of medicinal plants related trade in India is of the order of 5.5 billion US$ (Exim Report-1997) and is further increasing day-by-day. The international market of herbal products is estimated to be US $ 62 BILLION. India share in the global market of medicinal plants trade is less than 0.5%. In view of the innate Indian strengths, which include diverse eco-systems for growth of medicinal plants, technical/farming capacity, strong manufacturing sector, the medicinal plants sector can provide a huge export opportunity after fulfilling domestic needs.

The present e-book covers systematic account of most different plants with pictures used in medicines. It covers Medicinal Plants containing alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, additives and other active matabolites.

We hope that this e. book will be useful not only for technologists, professionals, but also for farmers, traders, students, NGOs, institutions, exporters and importers of Medicinal Plants.

The CD-based book costs Rs. 550/-

Payment: Demand Draft/IPO/MO only in favour of "International Information Resource Centre",
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PPP Chief Arrested from PPP Headquarter Rajbag today by State Police

Srinagar, March 12, 2010: The Flying Squad of J&K Police raided the PPP Headquarters, Rajbagh today and arrested the party Chairman Hilal Ahmed War. War’s arrest is seen as a preventive measure by the State police against a possible post-namaz rally that the Hurriyat (G) had announced. Chairman PPP, while endorsing Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s call had urged the people to take to the streets and register a peaceful protest in the form of a rally. “People should come out in large numbers in response to Geelani Sahab’s call and protest peacefully,” said War. 

The PPP Chief has been lodged in Police Station Rajbagh. A party spokesperson condemned his arrest in strong words saying it amounted to State oppression and a denial of right to expression. “This highhandedness of the State shows the times we are living in. If one is not even allowed to demonstrate peacefully, it leaves a big void for violent demonstrations,” said the PPP Spokesman. Geelani and War had urged youths to make sure no stone-pelting incident occurred.(Writer-South Asia)

Ministry of Minorities in India released List of Scheemes

By: Sheikh Gulzaar

Srinagar: As the Indian Constitution is committed to the equality of citizens and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. It is the responsibility of the state to preserve, protect and assure the rights of minorities. The United Nations Declaration on the Human Rights of persons belonging to National, Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities enjoins states to protect the identity of such minorities within their respective territories and also to encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity. Appropriate emphasis is therefore required to be given to protect the interests of minorities and ensure that they do not lag behind in the progress and development of the society.

On 23-10-1993 Government has notified Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zorastrians (Parsis) as “the minority communities” under clause [C] of Section 2 of the NCM Act, 1992. The International Information Resource Centre has just released Database of Government Funding Schemes for NGOs/Institutions in CD-Rom/Print/e-mail edition.

This is a first database of its kind which covers all Government Financial Schemes in all the sectors including the policies, guidelines, Notifications, Circulars & Press Releases, Application Forms, Declarations, Specimens, and hundreds of schemes of Government of India.

The database of Government of India Schemes is a outcome of a survey of all Government Institutions and Departments during the last five years. Editor Sheikh Gulzaar from International Information Resource Centre and his colleagues have collected details of Government Funding Schemes.

Government at both Central and State levels encourages particulars of the NGO's in developmental and welfare activities. Certain approved programmes are implemented through NGO's. International Information Resource Centre has published 850 pages of e-book on the Government of India schemes and centrally sponsored schemes. The database of Government of India Schemes is an outcome of a survey of all Government Institutions and Departments during the last 3 years. More details:

International Information Resource Centre
Ist Street, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121, Contact person:
Ed. Sheikh Gulzaar, (Programme Incharge)
Ph: 09858986794, 01933-223705
E-mail: iirc@rediffmail.com
web : http://ngoinindia.blogspot.com

Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba) Plants Development in Kashmir (India)

(Announcement) GREETINGS from far away Pampore.I’d like to tell readers about a very special man I have met here. His name is Ed. Sheikh GULZAAR.He is a plant breeder who collects rare and vanishing species of plants, herbs and spices. For the past 20 years he has devoted himself to developing many varieties of plants that can survive in difficult conditions. His one wish is to share his seeds of wild herbs and flowers with plant lovers elsewhere. He is happy to send seeds to all friends readers living in colder climates. Please write to: Mr. Sheikh GULZAAR PO Box 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001 THE STATE OF KASHMIR (Via New Delhi-India) e.mail: cikashmir@gmail.com http://www.chenabindustries.blogspot.com

India-Pakistan pilgrimage for peace and harmony

Srinagar: Feb, 08: More than a dozen NGOs from India in association with their Pakistani counterparts are planning a march in May this year to promote peace and harmony in the region.

According to Feroze Mithiborwala - President of Awami Bharat, the March that would be a combination of a Rath-cum-Padyatra would begin from Mumbai and follow the route from Dahanu (Maharashtra), Surat, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Mehsana - (Gujarat), Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Ajmer, Jaipur (Rajasthan), Agra, Mathura - (Uttar Pradesh), Delhi, Panipat - (Haryana), Chandigargh (Haryana-Punjab), Ludhiana, Amristsar (Punjab), Wagah (India-Pakistan border) before entering Pakistan and culminating in Karachi.

The march is expected to travel over 2000 kilometers in India and around 1000 kilometers in Pakistan by May 31, 2010.

Stating that a consensus is building for India and Pakistan peace and a vast majority of people in both the countries are in favor of peace, Feroze Mithiborwala said, "At the time when both the governments are now conducting discussions, we would only be adding to the climate & creating a larger space within the people of the two countries, as well as the powers that be."

Titled as India-Pakistan pilgrimage for peace and harmony, the march has been borrowed from Mahatma Gandhi's Salt Satyagraha launched during the British rule in the Indian subcontinent.

"Considering the religio-cultural history of South Asia, that has a deep devotion to Sufi & Bhakti Saints & for where Pilgrimages, either to Amarnath or Ajmer, are a holy & spiritually purifying act, we chose the name for our peace march", added Feroze.

"Throughout the course of our journey for peace, we would appeal to people to contribute a Mutthi bhar mitti - fist full of soil, that would then be collected from every city, town & village along the way. By this, people would feel that they are a part of the larger process of peace & unity", he said.

Noting that Peepal is the tree under which Buddha received his enlightenment and South Asia currently needs a generous dose of the same kind of enlightenment, he said, "We will also carry saplings - preferably Peepal from each of these places & plant them in the "GARDEN OF PEACE" that we will create along with a "PILLAR OF PEACE" or Bharat-Pakistan Shanti Stambh. This could then be made in all the cities towns & villages across the two countries."

"We do need a lot of emotional markers on our cultural landscape - We will create the same with the soil of the two countries", he noted. (Writer-South Asia)

Kashmir Solidarity Day - 5th February

By : Zaki Ahmad (Saudi Arabia)

Srinagar: Feb 5^th : Since 1991, Pakistanis from around the world, observe the 5th of February as a day to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir, who have been the victims of the worst Indian state terrorism for struggling and rendering unparalleled sacrifices to achieve their birth right, the right to self-determination, for the past six decades. There are several reasons why Pakistan and its people express solidarity with Kashmiris. The most striking is the strong cultural, religious and geographical bond which for centuries has tied the people of both areas into one unity. Moreover, the people of Pakistan rightly feel that Kashmir is the unfinished business of the partition of the subcontinent.

To understand the importance of the observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day, one needs to understand the history of India’s occupation of Kashmir, which dates back to the partition of the subcontinent in 1947 after a century of British rule. According to the Partition Plan of June 3, 1947, the subcontinent was to be divided into two sovereign states. The Hindu-majority areas were to form India and the Muslim-majority areas were to be included in the state of Pakistan.

Under the criterion of partition, the princely states had to accede either to Pakistan or to India, keeping in consideration the geographical situation and communal demography. Being a Muslim-majority state, with an 87% Muslim population, Kashmir had a natural tendency to accede to Pakistan, but the evil designs of its then Hindu ruler and the Indian National Congress paved the way to destroy the future of millions of people of Kashmir. India occupied the state by deploying its army there on October 27, 1947, in total disregard to the spirit of the partition plan and against the Kashmiris’ aspirations.

The people of Kashmir did not accept the illegal Indian occupation from day one and have been conducting their liberation struggle ever since. They started an armed struggle supported by a public uprising. On January 1, 1948, realizing that its troops could be defeated by the Kashmiri Mujahedeen (freedom fighters), India approached the United Nations Security Council, which in its successive resolutions, accepted by both Pakistan and India, approved a ceasefire, demarcation of a ceasefire line, and demilitarization of the state and called for a free and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the supervision of the UN. The demarcation of ceasefire resulted in dividing Kashmir into two parts, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Indian Occupied Kashmir. Phase one of the UN resolutions — the ceasefire — was implemented while demilitarization of the territory and the holding of a plebiscite under the UN umbrella remains unimplemented till this day. One of India’s founding fathers and its first prime minister, Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose government took the Kashmir issue to the United Nations, told the Indian Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1947: ‘In order to establish our bonafides, we have suggested that, when the people (of Kashmir) are given the chance to decide their future, this should be done under the supervision of an impartial tribunal such as the United Nations. ‘On June 26, 1952, Nehru told Indian parliament, ‘If … the people of Kashmir do not wish to remain with us, let them go by all means; we will not keep them against their will, however painful it may [be] for us.’

The most deplorable aspect of the Kashmir dispute is that India itself had taken the issue to the United Nations but later backed away from the promises it had made in front of the international community regarding the settlement of the dispute and allowing the people of Kashmir the right to self-determination.

India has committed numerous human rights violations in Kashmir. And still it tries to project itself as a secular and peaceful democracy. If India is so confident that the people of Kashmir have full faith in the Indian Constitution and that the overwhelming participation of Kashmiris in recent elections is proof of that, and then let it hold a plebiscite in line with the decades-old UN resolutions. What is India afraid of? All we are asking is to grant Kashmiris the right to decide for themselves.

Freedom of thought and expression is the most fundamental of human rights. There are a few countries in the world that claim to be democratic but are actually barbaric. They hide their war crimes by using their official and private media as a war machine. India is one of these countries, which has used all types of brutal force against Kashmiris but has been evading criticism because of the worst press censorship. To die is poignantly bitter, but the idea of having to die without having lived is unbearable.

Despite committing grave human rights violations, India tries to deceive the world by presenting itself as a “secular and the largest” democracy. For how long will the world stand by and allow this genocide to continue? UN should wake up to the blatant violations of the Geneva Conventions and the UN Charter by the Indian troops. These troops have been given a free hand to kill, detain and torture any person irrespective of their age and gender under the draconian and black laws, such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act - 1958, Public Safety Act (PSA) - 1978 and the Jammu And Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act - 1992. Indian forces have killed nearly one hundred thousand innocent Kashmiris. Youth have suffered the most as the Indian troops suspect them to be freedom fighters. Fake encounters, custodial deaths and enforced disappearances are common in the Indian-occupied Kashmir. However, the steadfast Kashmiris are, in fact writing an inspiring golden chapter in their epic history by making supreme sacrifices with the advent of every sunup. Nowhere in the world, has such a ghastly state terrorism existed.

On the other hand Pakistan is very sincere in solving the Kashmir issue. Pakistan has always invited India for starting the peace dialogue again after the 26/11 attacks but India has always run away from it. Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized that it would never accept any option for the resolution of the core issue between Pakistan and India, which goes against Kashmiris’ aspirations. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani have repeatedly said that Kashmir belongs to the Kashmiris and they are the arbiters of their fate.

The core issue of Kashmir, between India and Pakistan, has led Pakistan to face three wars and have devoted a major portion of their national incomes to defense budgets. World leaders have stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan to avoid an eventuality that may cause a catastrophe in the region. Kashmir is the nuclear flash point of Asia, surrounded by three nuclear powers. It is incumbent on the international community in general and governing world bodies in particular to intervene and force India to stop shedding innocent Kashmiri blood. Kashmiris should have the right to decide their fate according to the UN resolutions, which were adopted to resolve the issue. Without any doubt, Kashmir is jugular vein of Pakistan and it cannot evidently abandon it under any conditions. With both the South Asian neighbours armed with nuclear weapons, another conventional war on Kashmir has the potential to turn into a nuclear exchange that could be disastrous not only for South Asia but for the world at large. September 11, 2001 changed the course of history. The formation of the US led alliance to combat terrorism provided the Indians the perfect excuse to turn back on their promise of finding a just and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue based on the wishes of the Kashmiris. They tried to confuse world opinion by pinning the blame on Pakistan for aiding the ‘militants’ through ‘cross-border terrorism’. The observance of the Kashmir Solidarity Day is, thus an unambiguous manifestation of Pakistan’s commitment to the veracity. Thus the 5th of February is a day to acknowledge Kashmiris’ struggle for justice, peace, truth, and fundamental human rights. (Writer-South Asia)

General Deepak Kapoor ambitious to author World War III : War

Srinagar, 28 Jan. : People’s Political Party ( PPP) , Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War welcomes the initiatives of two leading media groups of India and Pakistan –Times of India Group and Jang Group and their campaign under the banner of “Aman Ki Aasha “ ( Hope For Peace) to bring peace in this region . War said that the unresolved Kashmir Dispute is the stumbling block in the way of sustainable peace and stability in this region. Terming the resolution of Kashmir issue as key to peace in the region, and said that campaign of Aman Ki Aasha is bound to meet failure if the core issue of Kashmir is ignored. “ If the architects and authors of this peace campaign are sincere in their effort for peace and tranquillity they must declare that Kashmir is dispute and the real bone of contention between India and Pakistan , secondly they should appeal conscious political leaders, highly acclaimed impartial journalists, writers and peace lovers of India and also those who urge for peace in this region , to come forward and unmask the hawks and warmongers of India like Lt. General Deepak Kapoor, Indian Chief of Army Staff and diplomat –cum-debater , Mr. G.Parthasarthy  and declare them enemies of peace,” said War. For this purpose, Times Now, news channel launched by Times of India Group should be utilized as a medium for peace not hatred. If they cannot do that then they must shut their shop of PEACE.

Mr. War stated that recently Indian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General, Deepak Kapoor stated that Indian troops are ready in case of war that too simultaneously on both fronts with Pakistan and China and end it successfully within 96 hours. General Kapoor also admitted the possibility of a marginal conventional conflict cannot be ruled out. And he further stated that any conventional war between two countries can at any time turn into a nuclear war. Major General Deepak Kapoor’s irresponsible statement gives a clear message that there is some invisible hand behind his statement and the message is an indicator of possible war. Some observers and analysts say that this invisible hand is United States of America and its satellite country Israel. For this purpose they want create an excuse and mastermind another Mumbai attack so that it will pave the way for attacking Pakistan and China simultaneously. The United States of America wants to play same role in China as was played by India in 1971 in detaching East-Pakistan. Therefore, it is presumed that General Deepak Kapoor is ambitious to author the World War III.  

God forbid, if war breaks it will engulf whole world and undoubtedly India will be a Big looser. India is well aware of the Pakistan’s missile programme which is more powerful than India and Pakistan has about 95 atomic bombs while as India has just 60-70. And in case of war both good and bad Taliban will certainly join Pakistan Army. Therefore, if war breaks out between two nuclear powers the Metropolitan cities of India like, Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata will be wiped out within no time. In case China joins Pakistan, the Sino-Pak nexus will put India into surprise. This war will prove to be a waterloo for India. Therefore, let’s hope good sense prevails upon Govt. of India and its warmongers so that they understand the dynamics and consequences of this unfortunate war, and will explore other peaceful options to settle all outstanding issues including the core issue of Kashmir Nation. 

The one and half billion people of this region have every legitimate right to intervene as they are the real stakeholders of peace and to discourage warmongers like Lt. General Deepak Kapoor and G.Parthasarthy etc. and impress upon Govt. of India to give diplomacy a full chance to find out ways and means to settle Kashmir Dispute and combat the enemies of peace by exposing them.

In order to prevent the South-Asian Region from erupting to the prejudice and detriment of the global peace the long-standing Kashmir dispute urgently need to be solved amicably within the framework of fundamental Human Rights and justice to the concerned struggling people.  In this connection the PPP’s Roadmap containing 3 Point Formula advocated by our party since August 10, 1996 is the only tunnel to reach the goal and destination of peace and human-brother -hood which shall in turn ipso-facto close the doors and chances of Atomic War.(Writer-South Asia)

SMS based complaint Receiving system launched by J&K Police at Jammu (PCR).

Jammu: A SMS based Complaint Receiving System, as a supplement to Dial 100 was inaugurated by IGP Jammu on 09/12/2009 for the general public of Jammu City in which the citizen can sent a SMS base complaint to the PCR Jammu through their mobile which will be then forwarded to the concern Police Station / Officer for quick necessary action. Citizens can send complaint related to Harassment, Accidents, Traffic Jams, Strangers, Dangers, Corruption Ragging, Domestic violence etc with out visiting the Police Station.

Glaucoma awareness low in Chennai, worst among Muslims: Study

By TCN News,

Chennai: Glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable blindness in the world. According to one study conducted in Chennai Muslims awareness level about this disease is very low compared to other communities.

A study conducted by a team of Vision Research Foundation between June 2001 and May 2003 found that Hindus are four times more likely to be aware of glaucoma compared to Muslims.

There are over 65 million people in the world affected by glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to disorders that damage the optic never resulting in vision loss. Though preventable if diagnosed early, it causes irreversible blindness. Late diagnosis is due to lack of awareness about this disease in the population.

The study conducted through questionnaire of 1480 urban and rural residents of Chennai found that only 13% of the study participants were aware of glaucoma. Of those who have heard of the disease 68% could not describe the condition. Women and elderly have more awareness about glaucoma. Education level also affects the glaucoma awareness, study found.

Study concluded that of the entire population under study only 8.7% had knowledge about glaucoma. Only 0.5% can be categorized as having good knowledge about it, 4% had fair knowledge and 4.2% poor knowledge about this disease.

A similar study in 2001 of Urban Hyderabad residents found only 2.4% awareness about glaucoma. Awareness among Chennai urban residents is 13.3%. [Dandona R, Dandona L, John RK, McCarty CA, Rao GN. Awareness of eye diseases in an urban population in southern India. Bull World Health Organ 2001;79:96-102.]

The Chennai study was published in Sept-October 2009 issue of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.

Study authors Ramesh Ve Sathyamangalam, Pradeep G Paul, George Ronnie, Mani Baskaran, Arvind Hemamalini, Madan Raj V, J Augustian, Raju Prema, and Lingam Vijaya of Glaucoma Project of Vision Research Foundation of Chennai called for urgent health education on glaucoma and initially targeting the population at risk. They suggested regular preventive eye care and setting up patient awareness groups.

Defining knowledge levels of glaucoma:

subject was considered to have good knowledge, if he/she was able to identify the risk factors for glaucoma such as increased IOP, family history, and steroid use and was further able to meaningfully describe the condition and identify therapies for glaucoma such as eye drops, laser peripheral iridectomy, surgery.

Fair knowledge was considered if at least two of the risk factors were identified and a description on at least one treatment option was correctly provided.

Subjects were considered to have poor knowledge, if they were unable to identify even a single risk factor or treatment option for glaucoma. (TCN News)

Complete Shutdown on January 26: War

Srinagar, January 18: An extra-ordinary meeting of think tanks of People’s Political Party was convened at PPP headquarters, Rajbag, Srinagar under the Chairmanship of Engineer Hilal Ahmad War. It was resolved by a vote of consensus that PPP will support the Hartal call given by APHC (G) on January 26, 2010. Mr.War appealed the people of Kashmir to observe a complete shutdown on January 26 in order to remind the Indian leadership and the world community  that the presence of Indian Occupational Forces in Jammu and Kashmir Nation is illegal,illegitimate and unconstitutional in the constitutional eye of Jammu and Kashmir 1939, Constitutional eye of International Law and is clear violation of United Nations Charter as well as U.N. Plebiscite Resolutions passed by U.N.O. Therefore, by no law all over the world or morals can justify their presence in Jammu and Kashmir Nation be justified.

India must not forget the issue of Jammu and Kashmir Nation has assumed the shape of a International Coinflict ,therefore, the intervention of superpower nations like United States of American and China is unavoidable and in accordance with golden principles of United Nations Charter in order to maintain International Peace and Security . These powerful Nations including European Union knew that the gateway to World Peace is the resolution of Kashmir Tangle.

He further said that Kashmir dispute cannot be resolved by any cosmetic treatment on the pattern of Osolo Accord, it can be resolved through direct intervention of common masses by means of a referendum. He reiterates PPP’s stand that the role of India and Pakistan is the role of co-operation only. The role of final adjudication about the political future of J&K State vests in the people of Jammu and Kashmir only.  India and Pakistan have no right or power to do or decide anything behind the back of people of J&K State for resolving Kashmir dispute. For achieving this goal the only feasible, viable, practicable, equitable and honourable way is to adopt the PPP’s Roadmap advocated by “People’s Political Party (PPP) since August 10th 1996 commonly known as HILAL FORMULA. He said, “There are political parties in the entire J&K State with conflicting ideologies and stands regarding Kashmir Issue. Therefore, no person, party or conglomerate of diverse ideologies can be recognized as political attorney of the common man of Jammu and Kashmir  as a whole”. (Writer-South Asia)

PPP Chief asked employees Unions to launch a Civil Disobedience Movement

Srinagar: People’s Political Party ( PPP) Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War attending the prayers meeting ( Fathah Khawani) of teenager , Inayat Amin Khan of Dalgate who was killed at the hands of CRPF troopers last Friday when he has on his way to buy a laptop. Whiling paying rich tributes, Mr.War demanded that an independent Enquiry Commission should be set-up to probe the death and punish the perpetrators under International Humanitarian law.

War said that Independent Enquiry Commission should be constituted by some retired High Court Judge assisted by Kashmir Bar Association. He lashed out at so-called leaders of pro-freedom fraternity by not taking serious measures in Inayat’s Case and accused the leadership who got miserably failed in pleading the Kashmir case domestically and internationally. PPP Chief, lambasted the employees federation and their Unions for shedding crocodile tears for the martyrs of Kashmir and freedom of Kashmir. Mr.War, said these people are fighting for 6th pay Commission and other perks not for the freedom of Kashmir. He said these employees leaders have made Indian grip stronger in Kashmir by demanding perks. He said, if these employees leaders are sincere they must launch a Civil Disobedience Movement and fight for the Right of Self-determination of Kashmir not for 6th Pay Commissions and other incentives. He reiterated that if the killers cops are left unpunished, Kashmiris will be forced to go for a all-out war against India like Algerian people fought against France. (Writer-South Asia)

War for all-out War

Srinagar : People's Political Party (PPP), Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War visited the house of slain teenager Inayat Khan of Dalgate, Srinagar and strongly condemned his killing at the hands of CRPF personnel. While paying rich tributes to slain Inayat, Mr.War demanded that the perpetrators should be brought to book. He further said that if the killer cops are not punished, the entire population of kashmir will be constrained to go for a all out war with Indian Occupational Forces . The Occupational Forces of India have unleashed a reign of terror in Kashmir valley in particular and have converted whole Kashmir into a human Rights Graveyard. He further said that Armed Forces Special Powers Act ( AFSPA) and other draconian laws has given licence to men in Khaki to kill innocent Kashmiri youth like birds . Mr.War said such tactics will not deter the resolve of oppressed Kashmiris but will give boost the morale of the struggling people of Kashmir to increase the momentum of their struggle for Right to self-determination. PPP Chief pledges to fight for the freedom till the last Child of Kashmir. (Writer-Asia)

Lal Chowk Encounter: Separatists pay tributes to slain fidayeen

Srinagar, Jan 08: The family members of a Sopore youth Manzoor alias Usmaan, who died in a 28-hour long gunfight in Lal Chowk yesterday, alleged that the highhandedness committed by the troopers during the 2008 Amarnath land row agitation prompted him to join the Fidayeen ranks.

Manzoor along with another Fidayeen was killed in the Lal Chowk encounter. His body was brought to his home town - Peth Seer, Sopore on late Thursday night. Later, thousands of people attended his Nimaz-e-Jinaza amidst pro-freedom, anti-indian army, and anti-India slogans.

Manzoor’s family claims that he joined militant outfit-Lashker-e-Toiba, one and a half year ago when the valley was up in flames during Amarnath land row agitation.

“He was class 9th drop out and worked as a painter to sustain his poor family. During the 2008 Amarnath Land row agitation, he alongwith thousands of people of the area participated in the protest demonstrations to express resentment over the transfer of forest land to Amarnath Shrine Board. On August 11, 2008, he joined the “Muzafarabad Chalo March” and saw the troopers firing on unarmed protestors, beating women and children,” said Manzoor’s uncle, Mohammad Akbar.

He said the highhandedness and excesses committed by the troopers changed his mind-set and prompted him to join the Fidayeen Ranks.

His father, Ghulam Rasool said Manzoor used to frequently talk about the excesses committed by the troopers during the “Muzafarabad Chalo March”. “Manzoor used to offer five-time prayers and recite Holy Quran daily in the morning. One the second day of Ramdan he told us that he will join NGO for some time. We allowed him for the sake of his happiness. However, I was aware about his intentions as his mindset has changed radically after Muzaffarabad Chalo March. After leaving home, he never returned. He had joined Lashkar-e-Toiba and we saw him with an AK-47 rifle after six months when he came to meet us,” said Ghulam Rasool.

He said owing to intense pressure from security and intelligence agencies, they had urged Manzoor to surrender and live a normal life but of no avail. “The security agencies harassed me and my family members after Manzoor’s refusal to surrender,” said father of the slain youth.

Manzoor’s mother Hafiza Begum, said she had a firm belief that her son is a martyr. “The death is inevitable but my son died too young. He was only 21 years old. It was the time when he could have enjoyed his life but alas he preferred death,” she mourns.

The family said that they saw Manzoor two days before his death. “Two days before his death he came to home and met all family members and had a cup of tea. He refused to stay for a longer duration and told us that he has some urgent work and had to leave the place as soon as possible,” said his grandfather, Ali Mohammad.

He said on Wednesday evening security forces came to their residence and informed them that Manzoor was trapped in an encounter in Lal Chowk. “They asked us for his contact number and told us that they will let us talk to him,” added grandpa of slain Fidayeen.

Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front on Friday paid tributes to armed freedom fighters who were killed in Lal Chowk gunbattle. According to a statement meeting chaired by acting General Secretary Feroze Ahmad Khan paid tributes to the freedom fighters.

"We will not allow the blood of these martyars go waste. They sacrifice for our future. We continue to strive for safeguarding the movement till its logical conclusion," said the Hurriyat members.

"The best tribute to the martyars," the Hurriyat (G) spokesperson said," will be to support the demand for right to self-determination without any compromise."

Hurriyat Chairman Ali Shah Gilani who was perated on his right eye in New Delhi, also paid rich tributes to the slain fideeyens. National Front Chairman, Nayeem Khan visted the residence of slain fiydeen. " The armed rebellion was a compulsion for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. Our movement is neither a terrorist movemnet nor it just a border dispute between India and Pakistan," said Nayeem while addressing a gathering on the occasion. Stressing on the importance of United Jehad Council's role in resolving issue, Khan sid, " the presence of UJC in any resoulation process is indispensable. They are sacrificing their present for the future of the masses,"

We are the heirs of the scarifices and have to support the resistance movement until its logical conclusion," siad Khan. A JKLF delegation also visted the house of the slain fidayeen and expressed solidarity with the family.

Meanwhile, Following the killing of a fidayeen in Lal Chowk gunfight who hailed from Peth Seer area of north Kashmir's Sopore town, the township observed a complete shutdown on Friday. Traffic remains off the roads and all business establishments and educational institutions remained closed. Raising pro-freedom and anti-India slogans youth come out on streets early in the morning and indulged in heavy stone pelting with Indian Army.

Thousands, locals gattheered after Friday prayers and raised pro-freedom and antiIndia slogans. The troopers reacted using lethi charge.

Troops martyr another two Kashmir Armed Fighters

Srinagar, January 08 : In disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, Indian troops, in their fresh act of anti militancy, martyred two ArmedKashmiri youth at Anduruss in  Sheikh Aziz's Town Pampore, today.

In Sopore, 20  thousands of people attended funeral prayers of the mujahid, who was martyred during the 24-hour clash in Lal Chowk, yesterday.

The authorities have not handed over the dead body of the other mujahid, martyred in the clash. Forceful demonstrations marked with complete shutdown were held in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar and in Sopore to mourn the killing of the mujahideen. APHC leader, Nayeem Ahmad Khan was among those who led the demonstrations. Unknown gunmen shot dead a young man in the town. Anti-India protests were also staged in Banihal and Poonch areas.

Clashes between Indian troops  and pro-liberation demonstrators continued at Sopore, Nowhatta, Gojwara, Magherbal Bagh, Habbal Kadal, Maisuma and Badshah Chowk areas in Srinagar. Indian policemen resorted to excessive teargas shelling, injuring several protestors. The police raided the office of Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement in Srinagar, arresting nine of its workers. Patron of the party, Farida Behanji was placed under house arrest. The authorities of Kot Bhalwal jail, Jammu refused a lawyers’ delegation to meet the political detainees in the jail.

Kashmiri newsmen staged a peaceful protest in Srinagar, today, against unprovoked shooting at a photo journalist by a police officer in Lal Chowk area, when he was performing his professional duties. The Kashmir Press Association, news organizations and Hurriyet leaders in their statements strongly condemned the police officer’s action. (KMS)

Why S M Mushrif’s book “Who Killed Karkare?” not discussed in Indian Saffron Media

By Mohd Ziyallah Khan,

To tell a truth in front of a tyrant ruler is the biggest crusade in the sight of Lord. And perhaps, this saying sounds so true to Mr. S M Mushrif (retired IPS officer – former IGP Maharashtra) when he wrote his book ‘Who killed Karkare?’ published a couple of months back. Ironically, despite all the truth he has managed to jot down in his daring work, he couldn’t get the kind of coverage or response in the Media.

The sort of debate or discussion it should spark off in the market sounds missing though, the reasons are obvious, which he himself disclosed in his recent visit to Nagpur on 2nd and 3rd January 2010 in a conference organised by Bahujan Sangarsh Samiti Nagpur Chapter.

He said that 20-25 different journalists from the various big and small media houses – both the print and electronic – which interviewed him on 28th October 2009 at his Pune residence, but nothing really appeared the following day, except in small time newspapers of the city. His work was totally kept under the carpet; nobody really cared to debate or discuss it in public domain, thanks to the kind of pressure the Saffron brigade has created on the media industry. So one can imagine the fear in which they dwell these days. To this point Mushrif added a humor saying, “the saffron elements happen to be the real terrorist, but with my book they seems to be terrorized, so in this way I now call myself a more bigger terrorist than them”.

The most interesting speech in the two-day program of Bahujan Sangarsh Samiti, was in the symposium on ‘Hindu Nation and Bahujan Society’ (Bahujan Society is referred to the non-Brahmin communities, including Muslims, Christians, Sikh, Dalits, OBC’s etc). In his speech, Mr Mushrif said that the real trouble before the anti-national elements (saffron groups) were the true nationalist people like Karkare, Salaskar, Kamte etc, who managed to find the real culprit behind the series of bomb blasts executed in various places including, Malegaon, Nanded and Parbhani etc. The two laptops recovered by Karkare after Sadhvi Pragya’s arrest disclosed, how the Hindu terror network was responsible for the series of bomb blasts carried out, making Muslim innocent youths responsible for the same.

The laptop recovered had ample of information about how the Hindu terror group materialized this anti-national activities using people and groups of different expertise and resource. These groups of men included some high profile industrialists, politicians, media professionals, historians, academicians and so on. This new nexus coming into light was well exposed by our real hero, the ATS Chief, Hemant Karkare. This man made a promise to himself that he will leave no stone unturned to let the world know the truth. However, before he could do this, he was knocked out of this mortal world in a very mysterious fashion during the 26/11 Mumbai attack.

According to Mushrif, the elimination of Karkare was nothing but an innovative way of getting rid of a person who was likely to expose the anti-national elements which is nothing but the saffron brigade. This innovative way is – certainly killing people like Karkare under the shadow of some operation like 26/11, so it was a good team work between the so called Lashkar men and the saffron elements.

According to Mushrif, the IB was well informed about the LeT men hatching a plan to attack the Taj, they had been knowing this fact since 18th November 2008, but unfortunately, they never passed on this information to the Navy or to the Mumbai police, rather they preferred to give it to the coast guard which has nothing to do with the internal security. So it was nothing but efforts done too little too late, failing thus to avert this attack. The IB despite being informed about the movement of the boat carrying the men with lethal weapons remained tongue tied. Earlier the IB was provided with 35 different suspicious cell no’s by the RAW, the same numbers used during those 72 hours of terror in Mumbai, including many ISD calls and only one call made in Mumbai, just before the death of Karkare. In this way Hemant Karkare was killed by the men as per the directions of the saffron elements, while the message went to the masses was, ‘LeT men killed him’.

According to Mushrif, he had found 11 stark contrasting elements in two operations. The Taj-Oberoy-Trident was completely different from the one at Cama and Rangbhavan lanes. How can same people be at two different places at the same time? Also, he came across so many loopholes, in the 26/11 investigation. Sr. IAS officer Rangari told Times of India, Mumbai edition that during the attack at CST, out of 35 CCTV cameras, 16 were shut down at that particular day for no valid reason. The SIM recovered at CST station of the terrorist belonged to a person based at Satara (a city in Maharashtra), the police investigation was intervened in the midst of the due process, and this owner of the SIM was never brought to books. The lady beside the coastal area identified these men who came from boat, and was the eyewitness to the massacre perpetrated at Taj in the broad daylight, but was soon forced to leave for US.

The interesting remark made by Mr. Mushrif at the end of his speech was, that the IB in India is worst than any RSS Shakha, and that if these men who happen to be custodians of our security and who remain hand in glove with the enemies of our society, then its time to stand up for a new revolution.

(The writer is a freelancer and media activist based in Nagpur, can be contacted at writeziya@gmail.com)

NGO launches new schemes

PUNE: City-based Annapurna Pariwar, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) engaged in providing financial assistance for self-employment to people in  over 80 slums, on Sunday launched two new schemes: Sattapurna and Srushtipurna.

While Sattapurna will undertake capacity building training for women members on various elected bodies, Srushtipurna will focus on environment- and employment-related projects. The two schemes were launched on Saturday, when the NGO celebrated its tenth anniversary.

According to executive trustee Medha Samant, the NGO, under its flagship projects, Arthapurna and Udyampurna, had helped over 3,000 women and 500 men from slums so far.

While loans worth Rs 2.5 crore have been disbursed to women under the first scheme, Rs 25 lakh have been disbursed to men under the second scheme, she said. The highlight of these schemes was the 100 per cent recovery rate.

Tantrapurna, a project that offered vocational training to youth, has received encouraging response, and the organisation was successful in getting jobs for over 150 trained candidates with the help of a placement service called Sandhipurna, which was started by Annapurna, Samant said.

Another scheme, Swasthyapurna, a health fund, provided financial aid for medical expenses and organised regular check-ups and awareness programmes in all slums. The project extends to over 900 slum families and covers over 5,000 individuals, she said.

Samant pointed out that the NGO has also launched 'Shantipurna', to assist slumdwellers in procuring important documents like birth certificates and ration cards and in providing family and legal counselling. The scheme was currently operational in four slums, and covered 300 families.

To mark the 10th anniversary, Whay mi Savitri Boltey (Yes, I am Savitri speaking), a one-act play on the life of Savitribai Phule, was performed by Sushama Deshpande. (Writer-South Asia)

Reservations must for Dalit Muslims & Dalit Christians: NCM Study

NEW DELHI – December, 15: – An independent research study commissioned by the National Commission for Minorities finds that there is a strong case for offering Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians the same constitutional safeguards already available to Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits. After a comprehensive survey of the available social scientific literature on the status of Muslim and Christian Dalits, the study concludes that they continue to be subjected to discriminatory and exclusionary practices, including untouchability, even though such prejudice receives no doctrinal support in either Islam or Christianity. However, the forms and intensity of the social humiliation they suffer differ from those faced by their counterparts in other religions.

The study was conducted by Professor Satish Despande of the Sociology Department, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi over an eight month period. The study breaks new ground in analysing the latest available statistical data from the National Sample Survey Organisation's 61st Round survey of 2004-05. The data shows that Muslim Dalits are generally the worst off among all Dalits by most economic and educational criteria. Christian Dalits, too, lag far behind non-Dalit and specially upper caste Christians.

Despite their small population and hence relatively low representation in the sample survey, the data unambiguously establish the backwardness of Muslim and Christian Dalits by the common criteria of human development. In fact, the statistical analysis demonstrates that religious affiliation makes no difference for the poorest 75% of all Dalits, with only the top 25% showing some differentiation.

This study is specially relevant in the context of the judiciary's frequent demand for objective evidence when deciding petitions seeking extension of constitutional protections to Muslim and Christian Dalits. It makes it amply clear that there are no good reasons – moral, logical, empirical or practical to keep Muslim and Christian Dalits out ofthe Scheduled Castes category. (Writer-South Asia)

CIA agents killed Benazir: War

CIA agents killed Benazir: War

PPP Celebrates Benazir’s Second Death Anniversary

Srinagar, 27 December, 09: The Second death anniversary of former Pakistani Prime Minister and former Chairperson of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed is observed throughout the globe. A large number of PPP party workers, office bearers and supporters from every nook and corner of the country are reaching Bhutto's home town Naudero in southern Sindh province to attend the anniversary. Great enthusiasm is being witnessed among the fans and followers of Bhutto’s in Kashmir at PPP Headquarters.

If  Asif Ali Zardari , President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan  truly loved Benazir Bhutto and mourn her death in true spirit, then he must pledge not to support  the International Agencies who have masterminded the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and Judicial murder of Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto and must follow the principles and ideals of  Z.A. Bhutto . He must also follow the Foreign Policy followed Kashmir Policy of Z.A. Bhutto the founder of  PPP.

On the Second Death Anniversary of late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, a function was organized at PPP headquarters, Rajbag, Srinagar, Kashmir and rich tributes were paid to Late Benazir Bhutto who died when a bomb planted in her cavalcade went off. “The function was presided over by Er.Hilal Ahmed War,Chairman, People’s Political Party ( PPP)  who is also the founder Chairman of  Bhutto Memorial Trust (BMT).
 
Special and important aspects of political life of Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto were highlighted. All the members unanimously and strongly condemned all those conspirators who were directly or indirectly responsible for the gruesome and barbaric murder of Muhtarma Benazir Bhutto,” said the statement.

People’s Political Party, Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War alleged Benazir Bhutto and her father were eliminated at the behest of “American intelligence agency CIA as the two leaders were opposed to the US policy of making Pakistan a satellite state for carrying out its plans”.Benazir’s killing is part of the policy of the US to disintegrate Pakistan into four independent states”. “US was creating atmosphere in which it can give good reason for the takeover of nuclear arsenal of Pakistan,” he claimed.

The leaders of PPP and BMT  unanimously appealed to the people of Pakistan that they should rise above regional, racial and ethnic prejudices and considerations and unite together whole heartedly in the direction of national and emotional integration because “such a course only can save Pakistan from external conspiracies aimed at disintegrating the country once again like December 1971”.
 

“The speakers emphasized that the concept of ‘Greater Pakistan’ floated by Shaheed Z.A. Bhutto and his Kashmir Policy for realization of right of self-determination for struggling people of J & K were and are the source of inspiration for the political and armed activists of Kashmir Liberation Movement . The participants also disfavoured and disapproved the proposed idea of showing any flexibility by Govt. of Pakistan with regard to settlement of Kashmir dispute, as such a flexibility is bound to cause irreparable damage to Kashmir cause and shall adversely affect Kashmir liberation movement .After conclusion of speeches delivered by various participants, special prayers (fateha khwani) were held for peace and comfort of the souls of Z.A.Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. (Writer-South Asia)

Writer-South Asia (Jammu and Kashmir): Youth denied passport for being kin of separatist leader Hilal Ahmad War

Writer-South Asia (Jammu and Kashmir): Youth denied passport for being kin of separatist leader Hilal Ahmad War

Youth denied passport for being kin of separatist leader Hilal Ahmad War

Srinagar, December 25: Successive state governments have often been accused of resorting to the pick-and-choose policy, especially in the militancy-scarred Kashmir region, when it comes to clearing people’s names for things like the issuance of passports or jobs. One victim of such policy, Ajaz Ahmad War says he is very much a victim of this official high handedness.

A resident of  Maisuma, a separatist bastion, Ajaz Ahmad War , by proffession working journalist , has lodged requests for a passport at all offices which matter, right from Chief Minister’s to that of CID bigwigs, and received words and letters of sympathy and assurance from everywhere. But he is yet to receive a passport as his police verification done by the CID remains pending. He had applied for a passport on February 27, 2008.

What has apparently gone against Ajaz is that one of his elder brothers, Hilal War, is a separatist leader, Chairman of People’s Political Party (PPP). The victim Ajaz Ahmad War further said holding political belief different from that of State is the birth right of every human being, if this is a sin committed by Paul. Then why should Peter be punished for the sins of Paul.

“It’s all about connections. They have given passports to all sorts of former militants and their kin. And all separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz, Shahid-ul-Islam etc.have passports. Why punish me then?,” he asks. He has a clean record and is not involved in any activity,and there is nothing adverse in CID record, he claims.

Police officials say they have kept an index of all militants, present and former, and separatist leaders and their Kith and kins used to be denied passports even if they were not themselves involved in such activities as a matter of precaution.

In fact, the issuance of passports and its renewal used to be seen as a yardstick of how dangerous somebody was perceived by the government. However, things have become liberal, as the police slowly but surely got better of militants. (Writer-South Asia)

Kashmir Has Become Human Rights Graveyard: PPP Chief, Hilal War

Srinagar,  December 11: People’s Political Party (PPP) Chairman, Engineer Hilal Ahmed War has urged the international community to ensure that human rights in Kashmir are respected and that the security forces guilty of committing excesses against people are brought to book. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Kashmir Bar Association to observe Human Rights Day, War said Indian forces have turned Kashmir into Human Rights graveyard.

War said Kashmiris have seen constant human rights violations since the India-Pak partition of 1947. “We the unfortunate people of Kashmir have never enjoyed this universal right ever since the partition of India,” said War adding

“This is the part of the world where Human Rights is itself in detention. The occupational forces of India have converted the whole Kashmir into a Human Rights Graveyard.”

War said Human Rights & Self-determination are inseparably inter-linked and originate from U.N.Charter with top priority and are very vital for maintaining International peace, seurity and fraternity of human beings.

“The United Nations Charter says that fight for human right is just and right. PPP also disapproves extra-ordinary penal laws which root out the very existence of fundamental human rights, because such laws are generally misused by governing body of concerned states and the men in uniform get a free license to behave like outlaws,” said the PPP Chief.

Deliberating on AFSPA, War said such laws are so draconian that they give security forces a license to kill on mere suspicion and this is one of the major reason why forces unleash constant terror against innocent civilians without any fear of action or accountability.

“AFSPA gives special powers to the army and other central forces operating in J & K,” said War. “Under Section 4, Clause a,b of the Act says even a non-commissioned officer can enter a house, search and can arrest without any warrant. He can even shoot a person on mere suspicion. No penal action can be taken against the forces without sanction of Central Government. Even the Chief Minister of J & K can’t punish the soldiers, even if proved guilty in a court of law, without New-Delhi’s consent.”

War said J&K has witnessed torture at the hands of the State police despite torture being prohibited under section 330 -331 of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

“In time of war, humanitarian rules must be observed, even with regard to the enemy. These rules are set out mainly in 4 Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 8 June 1977,” said the PPP Chairman. He said the Geneva Conventions are based on the idea of respect for an individual and his dignity. “Once armed conflict breaks out, the Conventions and Protocols shall be applicable in all circumstances, though with restrictions in the case of severe non- international armed conflicts.”

War questioned the role of ICRC in Kashmir saying, “Since ICRC claims to be the custodian of Geneva Conventions, a number of questions crop up in one’s mind regarding ICRC stationed in Kashmir. What kind of protection is ICRC providing to the distressed persons and who are the distressed persons in the eyes of ICRC? What assistance is ICRC providing to prisoners and their families including civilian population? What does ICRC mean by Optional Protocol? How do they differentiate between Occupying Power and Protecting Power?”

“The Indian Government,” War said “is signatory to Geneva Conventions and has been violating the said conventions particularly in our Nation, Jammu and Kashmir. As the custodian of Geneva Conventions, what action has ICRC taken so far against Indian?”

The PPP Chairman reminded the international fraternity that the UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape a weapon of war. “The document describes a deliberate use of rape as a tactic in war and a threat to international security,” said War.

He further said, “We dare not forget today that we (Kashmiris) are the symbol of peace and the heirs of that first revolution which was fought in this subcontinent immediately after the partition of British India for our birth right of self-determination as enshrined in United Nations Charter. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a New Generation of Kashmiris- born in this oppressed period, tempered by subjugation , proud of our ancient heritage –and unwilling to witness or permit any treaty on the Pattern of Osolo Accord , unwilling to tolerate the Pseudo Freedom Fighters any more, unwilling to give them a room to go for any secret deal with Govt. of India , and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.”

War said the denial of Self-determination right amounts to denial of the human rights. “Since International Peace, Human Rights and Self-determination Right is the foundation of U.N. Charter. Therefore the denial of Self-determination right is denial of Human Right and is violation of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The violations of Human Rights and humanitarian law are perpetrated daily in the Valley of Kashmir occupied illegally and unjustifiably by India, since 1947.”

War demanded the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination must be firmly reaffirmed. “The International Community cannot enforce human rights laws anywhere on this planet unless they follow United Nations Charter in letter and spirit,” he said. (Writer-South Asia)

Of The 200 Killed In Mumbai, A High Number Were Muslims

In Indian state of Mumbai, after the numbing sorrow came the blame game and the solutions. Loud voices amplified by saturation TV: Why don’t we amend our Constitution to create new anti-terror laws? Why don’t we arm our police with AK 47s? Why don’t we do what Israel did after Munich or the USA did after 9/11 and hot pursue the enemy? Solutions that would lead us further into the abyss. For terror is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It thrives on reaction, polarisation, militarisation and the thirst for revenge.

Those who invoke America need only to analyse if its actions after 9/11 increased or decreased global terror. It invaded oil-rich Iraq fully knowing that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, killing over 200,000 Iraqis citizens but allowing a cornered Bin Laden to escape from Afghanistan. It recruited global support for Islamic militancy, which began to be seen as a just resistance against American mass murder. Which begs the question of who created Bin Laden in the first place, armed the madarsas of Pakistan and rejuvenated the concept of Islamic jehad? Israel played its own role in stoking the fires of jehad. The very creation of Israel in 1948 robbed Palestinians of their land, an act that Mahatma Gandhi to his credit deplored at the time as an unjust way to redress the wrongs done to Jews during the Holocaust. What followed has been a slow and continuing attack on the Palestinian nation. At first Palestinian resistance was led by secular forces represented by Yasser Arafat but as these were successfully undermined, Islamic forces took over the mantle. The first, largely non-violent Intifada was crushed, a second more violent one replaced it and when all else failed, human bombs appeared.

Thirty years ago when I first went abroad there were two countries my Indian passport forbade me to visit. One was racist South Africa. The other was Israel. We were non-aligned and stood for disarmament and world peace. Today Israel and America are our biggest military allies. Is it surprising that we are on the jehadi hit list? Israel, America and other prosperous countries can to an extent protect themselves against the determined jehadi, but can India put an impenetrable shield over itself? Remember that when attackers are on a suicide mission, the strongest shields have crumbled. New York was laid low not with nuclear weapons but with a pair of box cutters. India is for many reasons a quintessentially soft target. Our huge population, vast landmass and coastline are impossible to protect. The rich may build new barricades. The Taj and the Oberoi can be made safer. So can our airports and planes. Can our railway stations and trains, bus stops, busses, markets and lanes do the same?

The threat of terror in India does not come exclusively from the outside. Apart from being hugely populated by the poor India is also a country divided, not just between rich and poor, but by religion, caste and language. This internal divide is as potent a breeding ground for terror as jehadi camps abroad. Nor is jehad the copyright of one religion alone. It can be argued that international causes apart, India has jehadis that are fully home grown. Perhaps the earliest famous one was Nathuram Godse who acting at the behest of his mentor Vinayak Savarkar (still referred to as “Veer” or “brave” although he refused to own up to his role in the conspiracy), murdered Mahatma Gandhi for the crime of championing Muslims.

Jump forward to 6th December, 1992, the day Hindu fanatics demolished the Babri Mosque setting into motion a chain of events that still wreaks havoc today. From the Bombay riots of 1992 to the bomb blasts of 1993, the Gujarat pogroms of 2002 and hundreds of smaller deadly events, the last 16 years have been the bloodiest since Partition. Action has been followed by reaction in an endless cycle of escalating retribution. At the core on the Hindu side of terror are organizations that openly admire Adolph Hitler, nursing the hate of historic wrongs inflicted by Muslims. Ironically these votaries of Hitler remain friends and admirers of Israel.

On the Muslim side of terror are scores of disaffected youth, many of whom have seen their families tortured and killed in more recent pogroms. Christians too have fallen victim to recent Hindutva terror but as yet not formed the mechanisms for revenge. Dalits despite centuries of caste oppression, have not yet retaliated in violence although a small fraction is being drawn into an armed struggle waged by Naxalites.

It is clear that no amount of spending on defense, no amount of patrolling the high seas, no amount of increasing the military and police and equipping them with the latest weaponry can end the cycle of violence or place India under a bubble of safety. Just as nuclear India did not lead to more safety, but only to a nuclear Pakistan, no amount of homeland security can save us. And inviting Israel’s Mossad and America’s CIA/FBI to the security table is like giving the anti-virus contract to those who spread the virus in the first place. It can only make us more of a target for the next determined jehadi attack.

As for draconian anti-terror laws, they too only breed terror as for the most part they are implemented by a state machinery that has imbibed majoritarian values. So in Modi’s Gujarat after the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in 2002, despite scores of confessions to rape and murder captured on hidden camera, virtually no Hindu extremists were punished while thousands of Muslims rotted in jail under draconian laws. The same happened in Bombay despite the Shiv Sena being found guilty by the Justice Shrikrishna Commission. Under pressure a few cases were finally brought to trial but all escaped with the lightest of knuckle raps. In stark contrast many Muslims accused in the 1993 bomb blasts were given death sentences.

The bulk of our media, policing and judicial systems swallows the canard that Muslims are by nature violent. Removing democratic safeguards guaranteed by the Constitution can only make this worse. Every act of wrongful imprisonment and torture that then follows is likely to turn innocents into material for future terrorists to draw upon. Already the double standards are visible. While the Students Islamic Movement of India is banned, Hindutva outfits like the RSS, the VHP, the Bajrang Dal, and the Shiv Sena remain legal entities. The leader of the MNS, Raj Thackeray recently openly spread such hatred that several north Indians were killed by lynch mobs. Amongst these were the Dube brothers, doctors from Kalyan who treated the poor for a grand fee of Rs.10 per patient. Raj Thackeray like his uncle Bal before him, remains free after issuing public threats that Bombay would burn if anyone had the guts to arrest him. Modi remains free despite the pogroms of Gujarat. Congress party murderers of Sikhs in 1984 remain free. Justice in India is clearly not there for all. Increasing the powers of the police cannot solve this problem. Only honest and unbiased implementation of laws that exist, can.

It is a tragedy of the highest proportions that one such honest policeman, Anti-Terrorist Squad chief Hemant Karkare, who had begun to unravel the thread of Hindutva terror was himself gunned down, perhaps by Muslim terror. It is reported that Col. Purohit and fellow Hindutva conspirators now in judicial custody, celebrated the news of Karkare’s death. Until Karkare took charge, the Malegaon bomb blasts in which Muslims were killed and the Samjhauta Express blasts in which Pakistani visitors to India were killed were being blamed on Muslims. Karkare exposed a hitherto unknown Hindutva outfit as masterminding a series of killer blasts across the country. For his pains Karkare came under vicious attack not just from militant Hindutva but from the mainstream BJP. He was under tremendous pressure to prove his patriotism. Was it this that led this senior officer to don helmet and ill-fitting bullet proof vest and rush into battle with a pistol? Or was it just his natural instinct, the same courage that had led him against all odds, to expose Hindutva terror?

Whatever it was, it only underlines the fact that jehadis of all kinds are actually allies of each other. So Bin Laden served George Bush and vice-versa. So Islamic and Hindutva jehadis have served each other for years. Do they care who dies? Of the 200 people killed in the last few days by Islamic jehadis, a high number were Muslims. Many were waiting to board trains to celebrate Eid in their hometowns in UP and Bihar, when their co-religionists gunned them down. Shockingly the media has not commented on this, nor focused on the tragedy at the railway station, choosing to concentrate on tragedies that befell the well-to-do. And it is the media that is leading the charge to turn us into a war-mongering police state where we may lead lives with an illusion of safety, but with the certainty of joylessness.

I am not arguing that we do not need efficient security at public places and at vulnerable sites. But real security will only come when it is accompanied by real justice, when the principles of democracy are implemented in every part of the country, when the legitimate grievances of people are not crushed, when the arms race is replaced by a race for decency and humanity, when our children grow up in an atmosphere where religious faith is put to the test of reason. Until such time we will remain at the mercy of “patriots” and zealots.

DEMOCRACY AND SECULARISIM OF INDIA IS A FARCE

Srinagar: In disputed of Jammu and Kashmir India deals with the people according to their religion. In Jammu Fanatic extremist Hindu parties and their activists and the people of Jammu who being armed with swords trishuls( a three edged spear)petrol bombs, who torch lynch and cut Muslims and Muslim cops as well are given cold drinks by Indian Army and Hindu dominated Jammu police. they are given a free passage for attaching Offices of Kashmir based newspapers, Throw petrol bombs on the trucks of Muslim drivers plying on pathankot Srinagar highway. Who set on fire whole Gujjar (Muslim) huts in Jammu.Sambha, Kathua. Indian communal army watches them with pride and pats them.People like Brig.Suchet sing(retd) Who during the time of service took oath under secular constitution was found shoulder to shoulder assisting advising communal and fanatic Hindus how to attack and enforce economic blockade against Muslims of Kashmir, Doda, poonch . And harass Muslims of Jammu region.

If a person of such calibre and post in Indian army can be of dubious character what about the common solider of this army. After the events of Jammu it should be eye opener of everyone who harbour illusions about the secular fabric of Indian army. We remember that during Gujarat massacre of Muslims we were told that had there been army called out by George Fernandez ,Muslims could have been saved but time has proved wrong. What is the difference now when in Gujarat an ex M.P (Muslim) is killed by throwing burning tyre on him in the absence of Army and fanatic Hindu youths who on riding a motorcycle throw petrol bombs on a Kashmiri Muslim truck driver who got burnt 90% and is waiting for death to overcome him as all the burnt people die of septicaemia. Sure death. This all was done in broad daylight in the presence of Hindu police and Secular army of India.Now the question arises how many Suchet singhs will be in the Indian army having masks of secularism on their face and when they get an opportunity to inflict harm to the Muslims they would be doing that without any let or hinderence.If Govt.of India wants to give an example to others then it should annulate the pension of this communal ex Brig.Take the medals if any from him as a punishment for defaming the army,otherwise this taint will remain on the army and secular fabric will be always disputed.

Now lets talk about what the same army does when they are in Kashmir.Unarmed protestors whose weapon is faith and trust in Allah, Who never pour venom against Hindus.Who consider Common man of Jammu their own.Who take Hindu piligrims on their shoulders to their place of worship high up in the mountains of Kashmir.Who at the time of the adventure of tribals in 1947 saved the Hindus in Kashmir only for their betrayal in 1990 when the same Hindus left valley in order to Give Jagmohan a free hand to Kill the Muslims in Kashmir which he did with full impunity. Freedom is a right of every Human being.Kashmiris who were betrayed and deceived by Sheikh Abdullah want freedom from Indian occupation and want use the right of self determination as promised to them by UN and the first prime Minister of India.When Kashmiris raise their voice against the oppression and ask for eroding the cease fire line so as to avoid confrontation with Hindu fanatics of Jammu, ask for freedom. The secular army of India spray them with bullets and such tear gas shells which are supposed to used during combat. Beat them with Bamboo sticks to pulp. In 21 century a protest rally in other parts of world is stopped by spraying water on the protestors so that no life is lost. But India doesn’t consider Kashmiris their citizens which have been proven again again and again from 1947 till date. Why then kashmiris should consider themselves Indians. In Kashmir when people protest army gets so frustrated that they enter residential houses and beat the immates break windows, Molest women.

The cold blooded killings of last two days have revealed again the real face of secular India and its secular army. Kashmiris who were caught between a rock and hard place by the economic blockade were just trying to get their Just voice heard by the higher authorities of India. If govt. of India would had clamped curfew in the city as soon as the time of March towards Muzzaffarabad was announced we would have understood that all this is done in good faith but Unfortunately The occupational forces have long ago tasted the blood of unarmed Kashmiris and they want to taste it again and again.The unknown graves in Kashmir. The fake encounters.Criminal attacks on ambulances and doctors who were transporting injured. Beating women and children have again proven the dubious attitude of Indian army and its sister forces towards Kashmiris.Now it’s a high time for kashmiri’s to understand that its do or die situation now and as we all know that Independence from Indian occupation cannot be a reality until we all fight together against those who have deprived us of it fro centuries.We must listen to our leaders and act as per their command so as to get success. (Writer-South Asia)