Nissing (Karnal), October 25
Organisers of the Vikas Kranti rally today made five nursery class students to sit for more than two hours to “honour” Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at a function.

In school uniform, all five girl students of a Nissing-based school were from nursery class. They were called at a political function to “welcome” the CM. The function was organised by Cooperative Minister, Ms Meena Mandal in grain market, here today. The function was scheduled for 11 a.m., chief guest Hooda arrived at the venue at 1.30 p.m.

Initially, the girl students were made to sit for an hour on the dais where bhajan mandli members were performing at high pitch later they were shifted to the VIP gallery.

After his delayed arrival one of the toddlers put “tilak” on the forehead of Mr Hooda in the presence of a battery of bureaucrats, MLAs and MP but no one objected to the presence of students at a public rally.

The Hooda government had issued a notification banning the presence of students at public functions. Following public outcry when several students fainted while waiting for a VIP politician in UP.

The Tribune earlier highlighted on July 19 when students were made to sit for more than three hours at a public function of Mr Hooda at Karnal.

Today, the CM was presented with a mace and ``kirpan’’ made of silver while other VIP politicians were given items made of silver.

During speeches none of the elected members mentioned if expensive gifts would be handed over to public exchequer or routed to party fund.

Mr Hooda today launched a booklet written by Minister Ms Meena Mandal on development activities of Haryana.

The booklet in Hindi is based largely on the family of Mr Hooda.

A number of pages have been written on the life of grandfather, parents, wife and MP son of the Chief Minister.

Also pictures of Congress president Ms Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra have been used prominently in the booklet written on development activities in the state.

Unruly scenes marked the rally after Congress workers started throwing brochures among the gathering and created nuisance. Policemen and Congress workers were “forcibly” motivating the gathering to not to leave the venue, as the function was two and a half hours late.

Though host and Cooperative Minister presented a 14-point demands to the CM but only the latter agreed to a few.

Assuring a facelift to the area, Mr Hooda announced to upgrade Nissing as MC and ordered the construction of a bus stand and BDO office in Nissing. He also laid the foundation stone of new grain market.

He gave a warning to bureaucrats to hear and “show respect” to Congress workers. He also announced to give jobs, one each to the families of the two farmers died 13 years ago in a police firing in Nissing in 1993.

Ambala, October 25
A Sikh gentleman was turned away from the United States Embassy for carrying kirpan.

The incident, which took place at the US Embassy in New Delhi yesterday, has considerably distressed Mr Charanjit Singh Bajwa. Mr Bajwa, who resides at Railway Colony in Ambala Cantt, has been an international-level sportsman who has won silver and bronze medals at the Asian Track and Field tournaments.

Mr Bajwa, who is working as Railway Chief Ticket Inspector, Ambala Division, told The Tribune that he had the bitter experience at the US Embassy where he had gone after duly receiving appointment.

“I had reached the US Embassy well in time for my appointment. I was carrying all necessary documents with me. Unlike other first-timers, I was hopeful that the visa process will be hassle free since I have already visited different countries. All my earlier visits have been through the Government of India for participating in sports competitions,” he said.

Mr Bajwa had won the silver medal in Asian Track and Field tournament in Kuwait in 1983 and the bronze medal in the Asian Track and Field tournament in Japan in 1981. Besides that, he had participated in the Asian Games in 1982 in which the relay team had stood fourth.

Incidentally, two records set by Mr Bajwa are still standing even after nearly two decades. The first record was set by him in 100 m in Panjab University with a timing of 10.5 seconds, while the second record was set by him in Indian Railways in 200 m with a timing of 21.2 seconds in 1984.

Recalling his experience at the US Embassy, Mr Bajwa said a full-body frisking was carried out before entering the embassy. Thereafter, the visa documentation was scrutinised at an outside counter. “Following this, I was sent for security as well as paper check. It was then that I was categorically told that my kirpan will have to be removed before I go for visa,” he said.

Mr Bajwa said, “I was told that the kirpan had to be removed and kept in a separate room”. As kirpan is an integral part of myself, I declined to do so. I tried to convince them that being an international sportsman, I had never faced any visa problems in the past. They refused to listen and insisted that I remove my kirpan,” he said.

“When I told them to give it in writing to me that my kirpan has to be removed, they refused. Thereafter, I spoke to an official telephonically. I again explained the importance of kirpan and I also told them that if they feel there is any need, security personnel can accompany me for the visa interview,” he stated.

Mr Bajwa said, “After a couple of minutes, I was informed that my plea had been turned down. I was told that I will be able to proceed for visa only after I remove my kirpan and if I do not do so, I will have to turn back from the embassy, he said.

“To uphold the Sikh `maryada’, I returned from the US Embassy without proceeding further. This incident has hurt my religious sentiments. I fail to understand as to how my kirpan could have posed such a grave and dangerous threat within the embassy,” Mr Bajwa said.

Mr Bajwa is now going to take up the matter with the Shironmani Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee. “I demand that a mechanism should be evolved so that Sikhs do not face any problem in getting visa when they are carrying kirpan,” he said.

Chandigarh, October 25
The names of three Haryana IAS officers figure in an appeal issued in connection with a meeting being organised to urge Dalits to embrace Buddhism. The ceremony is being held in Delhi on October 29 to mark Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism more than 50 years ago as a protest against the Brahminical caste system.

Mr Anil Kumar, Higher Education Commissioner of Haryana, Mr Avtar Singh, Commissioner, Gurgaon division, and Mr V. Raja Sekhar, who is on Central deputation and posted as Director in the Union Ministry of Social Justice, are part of the coordination committee of the ceremony dubbed the “Swarn Jayanti Dhamma Dikhha Utsav”.

Dr Ambedkar had embraced Buddhism at a huge function at Nagpur on October 14, 1956. The 1956 ceremony was called a programme for “mass conversion” by the organisers of the event. The gathering being organised in Delhi to mark 50 years of the Nagpur programme, however, is not exactly a conversion ceremony, insists Mr Karamvir Singh, a Haryana Government employee who is mobilising Dalits in Haryana to take part in the October 29 event.

Mr Karamvir Singh himself had become a Buddhist some time ago and thereafter organised many programmes to convert Dalits to Buddhism in Haryana.

The group of IAS officers from Haryana is the largest among the IAS officers who are part of the coordination committee of the golden jubilee function. Barring the three Haryana officers, there are at least two other IAS officers who are part of the 15-member committee. No other state has as many as three members on the panel.

The names of the members of the coordination committee in the printed appeal being distributed for mobilising people for the programme are in alphabetical order. The bureaucrats on the committee did not insist on publishing their names ahead of those of persons holding subordinate positions in the government hierarchy.

“Diksha Utsav” would ordinarily mean initiating people into a new faith. The text of the printed appeal, however, does not specifically mention religious conversion as part of the ceremony. It, however, does come down heavily against “atrocities against Buddhists in India” in the past. 

Chandigarh, October 25
In what can be termed as an indictment of the patently illegal and arbitrary appointment of an ineligible candidate as Reader in the faculty in Department of Public Administration, Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has set aside the appointment as well as imposed costs of Rs 10,000 on the university.

The order was passed on a petition filed by Dr Raj Kumar Siwach, Lecturer, Department of Public Administration, Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa, challenging the selection and appointment of Dr Rajbir Singh Dalal as Reader in the Department of Public Administration in gross violation of rules.

The Division Bench comprising Mr Justice M.M. Kumar and Mr Justice M.M.S. Bedi while allowing the petition observed: ‘‘It is not fair for respondent number 1 (Ch. Devi Lal University, Sirsa) to disturb the concentration of academician, like the petitioner, to compel them to indulge in avoidable litigation.’’

It further said: ‘‘The university should have followed and applied the minimum norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). We hope and trust that there will be no recurrence of any such lapse in future and congenial atmosphere is created in the university for scholastic studies with apt attention leaving academician alone from the legal controversies.’’

Declaring the selected candidate ineligible for the post, the Bench directed the university to re-advertise the post and fill the same in accordance with law at the earliest.

In his petition, Dr Siwach had challenged the action of the university in ignoring regulations prescribed by the UGC in selecting Dr Dalal for the post.

While Dr Siwach, who had a doctorate in Public Administration and fulfilled all requirements, was ignored, Dr Dalal who did not have the mandatory doctorate in the subject was selected.

In doing so, the respondents even chose to ignore the ‘‘not eligible’’ decision in Dr Dalal's case given by the Kurukshetra University, where the applications of the candidates were sent for scrutiny.

Sonepat, October 25
The family of Assistant Sub-Inspector Nanak Chand with the Delhi police, a martyr of attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001, has been provided security cover after the visit of two suspects to the house of the latter on October 17 last. Nanak Chand was killed in the attack with 13 others, including five militants.

After the police got information that some suspects visited the house of Nanak Chand at Rathdhana village, near here, last week, we decided to give security to the family, confirmed Mr Subhash Chander, DSP, Headquarters. Though neither the family members of the martyr informed us about the incident nor they asked for the security, added the DSP.

The widow of martyr, Ganga Devi, had approached the President requesting him not to grant pardon to Mohammad Afzal Guru on October 3. She also had heated arguments with Delhi University lecturer S.A.R. Geelani during a debate telecast live by a television channel a few days ago. Geelani was exonerated by the apex court in the Parliament attack case.

While talking to media persons, Ganga Devi said two persons visited her house when her daughter was alone. They were carrying dry gourds (toris) in baskets, informed Ganga Devi.

They told my daughter that Nanak Chand who met them at Connaught Place a day before had asked them to visit his home, said Ganga Devi. One of them was wearing a long kurta supporting beard, added the widow of martyr.

Chandigarh, October 25
The Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, today expressed his gratitude to the UPA Chairperson, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Human Resources Development Minister, Mr Arjun Singh, for considering his request to get the objectionable remarks against the Jat community deleted from books published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

Mr Hooda had demanded that the remarks against the Jat community as well as against other communities should be expunged. In Haryana, he had immediately ordered the Education Department to expunge the remarks from the controversial books.

Mr Hooda had written to Mrs Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Arjun Singh expressing his concern over the issue and urging them to get these removed from the books.

The INLD supremo, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, had also raised the issue at the party’s rally organised at Meham on September 25 to celebrate the birthday of former Deputy Prime Minister Devi Lal.

After his return from a foreign visit, Mr Hooda met the Union Human Resources Minister, Mr Arjun Singh, on October 19 and again demanded that the remarks should be expunged immediately.

Mr Arjun Singh, who assured the Chief Minister of prompt action, wrote to the authorities concerned to take appropriate measures. The CBSE and the NCERT have now expunged the remarks.

Bhiwani, October 25
An oil mill owner was shot by two miscreants close to the new grain market in the intervening night of October 24 and 25.

The mill owner who received a bullet injury was immediately rushed to the civil hospital from where he was referred to the Medical College Rohtak. There he was declared as brought dead.

The police has registered a case against two assailants on the complaint of the brother of the deceased.

In his report, the complainant Deepak said they run the Bhavani Oil Mills. Since, the watchman of the mill was on holiday on Tuesday, his father, brother and he were in the mill to look after it. Shivanand, who was shot dead by the miscreants, was sleeping in the room situated at the main gate of the mill. At about 12 o’clock, two youth beat up the driver and conductor of the mill's vehicle. When the deceased Shivanand confronted them, a miscreant shot at him and fled.

According to the complainant, the assailants were Raj Kumar and Dinesh of Devsar village. He said the duo had also had a scuffle with his father in connection with extortion a few days ago and had given him a life threat.

The trading community of local Jain Chowk, Patram Gate, Jawahar chowk, Bichla bazar, Halu Bazar area observed complete bandh in protest of the incident. A meeting of the INLD trader cell was held at Devi Lal Sadan in this connection where speakers expressed resentment and demanded immediate arrest of the assailants.

Fatehabad, October 25
The Kisan Sangharsh Morcha organised a “kisan mahapanchayat” at the Jat Dharamshala here today to press for the arrest of the manufacturer of spurious pesticides and fertilisers.

The Agriculture Department, it may be recalled, had unearthed a fake fertiliser, pesticide and seed manufacturing unit here last week. The police has registered a case in this regard but no arrest has been made so far in this connection.

Prominent farmer leaders like Mr Krishan Swaroop, state general secretary of the Kisan Sabha, Haryana, Mr Chander Bhan, vice-president of the Kisan Sabha, Mr Ram Kumar, member of the Kisan Club, Mr Poonam Chand Ratti, state president of the Sarav Karamchari Sangh, Haryana, and Mr Rajesh Mahiya addressed the “mahapanchayat”.

The “mahapanchayat” demanded arrest of the owner of fake manufacturing unit, compensation to the farmers whose crops had been damaged by the fertilisers manufactured by the unit and hike in the price of cotton to Rs 2,500 per quintal for American cotton and Rs 3,000 per quintal for “desi” cotton.

Chandigarh, October 25
The Haryana Seeds Development Corporation has given a bonus of Rs 25 per quintal to seed producers over and above the procurement price of seeds of wheat.

This was stated by the Chairman of the corporation, Mr Roshan Lal Arya, who presented a cheque for Rs 11 lakh to the Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, here yesterday. Mr Hooda appreciated the gesture of the corporation.

Mr Arya said Rs 70 lakh had been given as bonus to seed growers. He said the corporation had earned a profit of over Rs 1.18 crore before tax as on March 31, 2006, as compared to Rs 84.51 lakh as on March 31, 2005. The corporation recorded an accumulated profit of Rs 4.35 crore as on March 31, 2006.

Hisar, October 25
Development of villages is the need of the hour and the officials concerned should implement the schemes meant for rural development sincerely. This was stated by the Divisional Commissioner, Mr R.R. Fuliya, after inaugurating a three-day rural development fair at Mahavir Stadium here today.

The fair has been organised by the District Rural Development Agency with a view to informing the people about various welfare and development schemes being run by the government.

Mr Fuliya asserted that the Haryanavi culture was rich and progressive, but hardly any efforts were being made to conserve it. He said a division-level cultural programme would be organised here on Haryana Day during which folk artistes would be honoured.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Phateh Singh Dagar, observed that such fairs could play a crucial role in eradicating the social evils like female foeticide. He exhorted the representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions present on the occasion to create awareness against such illegal practices which were a blot on society.

Mr Dagar further stated that a survey was being conducted to get all pregnant women in the district registered to prevent any cases of female foeticide. A survey of the physically challenged persons was also being carried out, he said and asked the sarpanches to ensure that no deserving candidates were left out.

An exhibition of various items made by women self-help groups was organised on the occasion. The representatives of several panchayats were honoured for their good work.

Rewari, October 25
Former legislator and Ahirwal’s firebrand leader Raghu Yadav as well as his 12 associates have been acquitted in a long-pending case of attempt to murder, rioting, assault, etc. by Mr Sant Prakash, Additional Sessions Judge of Narnaul.

The prosecution’s failure to provide substantial evidence to prove the charges has led to their acquittal by the court.

Two of the other respondents, Narain Singh Rewaria and Rao Chhotu Ram, earlier died during the prolonged hearing of the above case which had been going on in the Narnaul court for the past about 13 years.

In the wake of Raghu Yadav’s massive “jal yudh rally” at Narnaul on August 10, 1993, which witnessed unprecedented police brutality that resulted in the death of two youths and grievous injuries to scores of other rallyists, including Raghu Yadav.

A case of attempt to murder, rioting and assault under Sections 148, 149, 332, 333, 353, 186, 427, 452, 435 and 307 of the IPC had been registered against Raghu Yadav and others on the basis of a complaint lodged by Mr Arun Nehra, the then Station House Officer of Narnaul.

Describing it as a historic judgement which had nullified the institution of a totally false case against them, Mr Yadav asserted that it had further fortified their faith in the judiciary.

Simultaneously, he said their stand on equitable distribution of available canal water for which the “jal yudh rally” was held, had been fully vindicated and it was now a matter of great satisfaction for them that the Hooda government, too, was working towards it.

Mr Yadav asserted that equitable distribution of available canal water alone could make the districts of Sirsa, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind and Kaithal free from the menace of waterlogging as well as quench the thirst of the parched fields of the other five districts of Rewari, Mahendergarh, Gurgaon, Jhajjar and parts of Bhiwani.