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Tuesday,
October 29, 2002, Chandigarh, India  
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Mass
conversion of Dalits planned Families
deny conversions NEWS ANALYSIS Japanese
fever claims 7 lives Cong to
hold rally against ‘anti-farmer’ govt |
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HIGH COURT
NIT
students stay away from classes Misappropriation by ex-DFO Shopkeeper
held Villagers block Jagadhari road
Bhatt enthrals audience No salary for 8 months HVP
workers attend meeting 
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Mass conversion
of Dalits planned Chandigarh, October 28 According to Mr Karamvir Singh, President of the
confederation’s Haryana unit, functions to convert Dalits into Buddhists would be organised at the block and district levels in the entire state on the day of
Divali (November 4). Mr Karamvir Singh, who had himself converted to Buddhism almost a year ago, said the massacre of five Dalit men at Jhajjar district recently had once again shown that the caste Hindus did not consider the Dalits as a part of the Hindu fold. “Therefore, we are trying to appeal to the Dalits to abandon the practice of Hindu faith and embrace Buddhism”, he said. Yesterday, the families of four of the five Dalit men, who lost their lives in the Jhajjar incident, embraced Buddhism. The Gurgaon function also witnessed people embracing Christianity and Islam. It was, however, learnt that while Muslim as well as Christian preachers were invited to the function at Gurgaon, the programme on November 4 would focus exclusively on converting Dalits to Buddhism. Karamvir Singh said that Buddhist monks from Dadumajra and Khurali would carry out the conversions in some areas. In other areas, members of the confederation who had already converted themselves to Buddhism would proselytize the aspirants by having them swear by the Panchsheel and 22 pratigyas, which was the formula advocated by late B R Ambedkar. Earlier, a large number of Dalits from Haryana reportedly got converted to Buddhism at a rally organised by the Confederation in Delhi in November last year. Subsequently, another function was organised at Kurukshetra on June 9 for conversion and a good number of Dalits reportedly took to Buddhism. Mr Karamvir Singh said they were expecting the November 4 programme to be particularly successful at Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Sonepat, Narnaul, Gurgaon, Ambala and
Meham. |
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Families deny conversions Gurgaon, October 28 “We were Hindus. We are Hindus. We will die as Hindus,” they told reporters here. Later, they called on Deputy Commissioner Anurag Rastogi and made a similar statement. They alleged that certain organisations were taking advantage of the unfortunate incident and misleading the people. “Conversion is no solution to the atrocities”, they added. The fifth Dalit victim belonged to Karnal district. Mr Rattan Singh, father of deceased Virender, said he and other victims’ families had no knowledge of any programme of conversion. “We had attended the rally, which was organised in protest against the killings. There was no talk of any conversion or embracing any other religion,” he added. Similar views were expressed by Mr Budhram and Mr Ram Phal, fathers of Dayanand and Raju, the other two victims of Dulina tragedy. Yuva Chetna Samaj Sudhar Samiti president Muko
Balmiki, and Haryana Pradesh Dalit Sena president Suresh Kumar Sein, expressed similar views.
UNI |
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NEWS ANALYSIS Gurgaon, October 28 Significantly, the
conversions were claimed to be a protest against the October 15 lynching of five Dalits in Dulina in Jhajjar district by a crowd of Dasehra revellers. The conversions were undertaken at a public meeting and at a ceremony organised by the All-India Confederation of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Organisations and the Lord Buddha Club headed by Mr Udit
Raj. These were solomenised by religious leaders of Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. While the confederation of the SC/ST organisations was floated in October, 1997,the Lord Buddha Club was constituted in August,1996.Incidentally, Mr Udit Raj technically still holds the post of Additional
Commissioner, Income Tax. According to him, he goes on a long leave while indulging in these controversial socio-politico activities which have come under criticism, both from his peers and independent observers. In short impromptu interviews a large number of Dalits claimed that conversion was no way to fight the obvious anomalies loaded against the Scheduled Castes in Hindu society, which was generally
liberal. One will have to remain in the framework and fight against the fundamental elements from
within. Mr Govardhan Sangvayya, a banker, summed up the general mood among the Dalits, saying that: “conversion was an escapist
tendency. In any case it will not bring glory to the converts.” Mr Mahender Singh
Ranga, another known face among the Scheduled Castes here, lamented that conversions would further divide the Dalits and weaken their movement for bringing a just order to the Hindu
religion. The Constitution, with equality, liberty and fraternity as its signature
tune, is strong enough a weapon to take on any kind of injustice in the system, he added. The general feeling outside the SCs demographic spectrum is that the Dulina incident is without doubt
condemnable, but vested interests are using it as a fig leaf to goad the “undiscernable” Dalits for conversion. “Two wrongs do not make a right and such developments would push the society into further negative spiral” was the view expressed by many. However, Kallu Ram says that the push has now become a
shove. Hence, extreme measures like conversions were the only way to get out of the dark tunnel and caution the chauvanists
amongst the Hindus in the process. Government circles are reluctant to comment on the incident for reasons best known to them. On the surface the development is a backlash of the Dulina incident, alleged to be a sequel of negative and marauding sentiment in a section in the district administration and the police
machinery. Although the government circles are keeping tight-lipped over the development, it is apparent there is hurt and hunger in the voice of some top officers that TNS talked to as the Dulina incident had collectively defiled their image. However, reacting to the conversion incident the Deputy Commissioner,
Gurgaon, Mr Anurag Rastogi, said religion was a matter of personal faith in a secular
state. Unless someone comes and makes a specific charge of coercion the administration has no role to play. |
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Japanese
fever claims 7 lives Kaithal, October 28 The first victim Ekta, daughter of Mohinder Singh of Kashyap Rajput Basti, Siwan, became unconscious as a result of the fever and collapsed on way to a hospital yesterday. A cousin of Ekta, Meenakshi, of the same
locality, also fell unconscious due to the fever and died on way to the local Civil Hospital. The condition of the third girl, Reena, of the same
locality, was still serious. Similarly, a child died of fever at Rasina last week. The fever claimed the life of a 8-years-old girl, Titu, at Karora village yesterday. Besides this, a child from Pabnawa village died of fever of the Civil Hospital here on Sunday. Meanwhile, according to unconfirmed reports, the fever had claimed two more lives in different villages but the CMO, Dr N.K. Dhawan, had confirmed only five deaths. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anurag Agarwal, said the Health Department had been asked to ascertain the cause of deaths and take all steps to check the spread of the disease. Mr Agarwal said teams of doctors had been sent to the affected villages to collect blood samples of the residents and fogging had been started. Dr Dhawan said, according to symptoms, the deaths appeared to have been caused by the fever, but the exact cause could be declared only after a thorough investigation. |
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Cong to hold rally against ‘anti-farmer’ govt Kaithal, October 28 Mr Surjewala and Mr Mann were addressing a joint press conference here today. The leaders criticised the Chief Minister for absolving the police staff of Dulina, where five Dalits were killed, of all responsibility. They demanded that the police staff responsible for the incident should be booked under relevant sections of the IPC and the family members of the victims be given employment and Rs 10 lakh as compensation. The leaders said in protest against the “anti-farmer” policies of the government and to expose its various failures, the frontal organisations of the Congress would organise a protest rally in front of the Haryana Assembly on October 31 and court arrest. Thousands of workers from all over the state would participate in this protest, these leaders claimed. Mr Surjewala took exception to the frequent foreign tours by the Chief Minister. He also criticised the state government for introducing online lottery. Earlier, Mr Surjewala and Mr Mann addressed a meeting party workers at the local Congress Bhavan. |
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HIGH COURT Taking up a petition filed by the Bar Council of the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking directions to the state of Haryana for providing staff for conducting forthcoming elections, a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday issued notice of motion for November 1. The Council, in its petition taken up by the Bench, comprising Mr Justice V.K. Bali and Mr Justice Varinder Singh, had earlier submitted that their requests to the authorities concerned had been turned down. Giving details, the Council had contended that initially on July 31 a letter was addressed to Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer requesting them to conduct the elections. After failing to receive a positive response, another letter was addressed to the Chief Secretary, still their request was not accepted.
Records sought Taking up a petition for restraining Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board and other respondents for quashing the alleged recommendations made by Safidon’s MLA for reported appointments of new auctioneers, Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar and Mr Justice Amar Dutt of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the then Market Committee Administrator and the Chairman to be present in the Court on November 1 with complete record. Issuing the directions, the Judges also came down heavily upon the MLA. Speaking for the Bench, Mr Justice Swatanter Kumar observed in the open Court that they were dissatisfied with the averment contained in an affidavit filed on the MLA’s behalf. It was unfortunate that the elected representative of the people was acting in a certain manner. “We are unable to appreciate such a stand,” Mr Justice Kumar concluded. |
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NIT students stay away from classes Kurukshetra, October 28 The striking students declared that they would continue their strike till the culprits were arrested. They also demanded proper security on the NIT campus. Later, the students submitted a charter of demands to the NIT Acting Director, Dr Krishan Gopal assuring them of the fulfilment of demands, Dr Gopal has appealed to the students not to boycott classes. Two NIT students were injured and three motor cycles and a scooter set on fire during a clash of two groups of students on the campus on October 27. |
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Leave rules
for teachers Chandigarh, October 28 |
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Misappropriation by ex-DFO Kaithal, October 28 According to information, the Chief Minister’s flying squad after preliminary investigation has got registered a case against the officer at the city police station here. According to Superintendent of Police A.S. Chawla, further investigation in the case has been entrusted to the ASP Sivach Kaviraj. |
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Shopkeeper
held Ambala, October 28 According to police a case under the
explosive Act has been registered against the shopkeeper. It is not
the first incident earlier too the police has registered three cases
against different shopkeepers for the illegal sale of fire
crackers. The police had also sealed three godowns of fire crackers
in Ambala City last week. The District Magistrate in an order has
already directed the cracker sellers not to sell fire crackers in the
main bazaar. The administration has already fixed several places for
selling the fire crackers in Ambala City and Ambala Cantonment. One
killed One person was killed in a road accident on
Ambala-Chandigarh road near Saddopur village late last
evening. According to the police some unidentified vehicle hit him
which resulted in his death on the spot. The deceased identified as
Narender Kumar was employed in a liquor shop at Jharmari village near
Ambala City. The body was brought to local civil hospital and was
handed over to his relatives after the post-mortem examination. The
police has registered a case against the driver of the unknown vehicle
in this regard. Liquor seized The Ambala Cantt Parao police
has seized 275 pouches of country liquor from a person near bus stand.
According to the police the accused was identified as Vijay Kumar. The
police has registered a case under the NDPS Act against Vijay. |
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Villagers block Jagadhari road Ambala, October 28 The villagers of Dheen and two more villages, Rukri and
Ahmedpur, came to the busy Jagadhari road at about 11.30 am. The blockade by the villagers disrupted vehicular movement. The traffic blockade was lifted after assurances were given by DSP Udey Shankar and SDO power,
Mullana. The villagers demanded that regular power supply should be provided to the villages. |
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Bhatt enthrals audience Ambala, October 28 Pandit Salil Bhatt started his performance by playing an afternoon raga which enthralled the audience. He then played different compositions, some of which he had himself composed. The audience heard the Mohan Veena being played by Pandit Salil Bhatt with rapt attention. The college Principal, Dr Desh Bandhu, said Pandit Salil Bhatt had come to the college as part of SPIC MACAY programme. “Pandit Salil Bhatt is the son of renowned Mohan Veena player Pandit V. Bhatt and he has achieved international fame at a young age,” he said. He said the main aim of the presentation is to introduce and encourage today’s youth towards Indian classical music. He said the SPIC MACAY had been revived in Ambala after a long
time. |
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No salary for 8 months Ambala, October 28 The union members said the last pay was given to the staff on February 2002 and since then, the staff had been working without pay. They said last year, they were not paid for a period of five months and this year, the period of non-payment of salary were eight
months. |
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HVP workers attend meeting Panchkula, October 28 |
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Tenure
extended Chandigarh, October 28 |
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