The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Will maintain law at all costs: Hooda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
Hours after the Supreme Court’s order on the row over management of gurdwaras in Haryana, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the law and order would be maintained at all costs in the state and nobody would be permitted to take the law into own hands.

Stating that HSGMC has already constituted a 41-member ad-hoc committee, he said “I am being told that the Supreme Court has also asked the SGPC and the HSGMC to open separate bank accounts in which all incomes of gurdwaras under their control will be deposited.”

Though Hooda reiterated his appeal to maintain peace, he lambasted Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar for giving two hoots to the affairs concerning Sikhs of Haryana. “Badal and Makkar must understand that there is a need to protect the rights of Haryana Sikhs too,” he said.

Kaithal gurdwara records go missing
Parvesh Sharma
Tribune News Service

Kaithal, August 7
Even after taking the possession of Gurdwara Chhevin and Novin Patshahi at Cheeka, HSGMC appears to be helpless in taking proper decisions pertaining to its affairs as all records of the gurdwara have gone missing. Though HSGMC members have been able to found staff attendance register, all efforts to locate other vital records have failed.

Of 13 SGPC employees, who had left the gurdwara yesterday after the takeover, 11 joined back today under the HSGMC. But the manager and the cashier, who were mainly responsible for the management, have refused to join back. It has multiplied the problems of HSGMC authorities which are finding it difficult to get the required information about the resources and the expenses of the gurdwara.

“There is no record pertaining to the management of the gurdwara’s finances. We could only find the attendance register, but we need other records also. All records have either been destroyed or hidden by the SGPC,” alleged HSGMC executive body member Baljit singh Daduwal.

Meanwhile, the barricading of the roads leading to the gurdwara and its surrounding areas haven’t troubled the local residents. Policemen are frisking and questioning only suspected outsiders.

“Though there is no untoward incident as yet, we are taking no chances and have sealed all roads connecting both states. We are checking all vehicles and suspects in the area,” said Cheeka DSP Gurmale Saini.

I am being harassed: HSGMC member
Punjab Police have summoned HSGMC executive body member Baljit Singh Daduwal on August 10 in Bathinda in connection with a case registered under Section 307, IPC, in 2009. He alleged that the case, which was being treated as closed for the past five years, had been reopened on the direction of the Punjab Chief Minister. He alleged he was being harassed for supporting the HSPGC.

SGPC rushes more men to Haryana, says move not aimed at reinforcing control
Perneet Singh
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 7
Appealing to both the warring groups to maintain peace, the Akal Takht today announced that it would soon constitute a coordination committee to hold talks with the two sides to find an amicable solution to the separate gurdwara panel controversy.

Addressing mediapersons after a meeting of the Sikh high priests here today, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said: “We strongly condemn the incidents that took place at Gurdwara Chhevi Patshahi in Kurukshetra and Gurdwara Guhla Cheeka in which some elements resorted to stone throwing and perpetrated sacrilege. We appeal to the Sikh Sangat to remain calm and be aware of any misinformation campaign.”

On initiating any action against those who took over the possession of a gurdwara at Kaithal, the Jathedar said they would deliberate on the issue in the next meeting of the Sikh clergy. When asked whether the Akal Takht could initiate negotiations between the two sides when the Supreme Court has started hearing on the petition, he said the court proceedings would continue while they would do their bit to resolve the matter.

On a question whether it was not a legal issue, he said anything related to gurdwaras is a religious matter. He said the Akal Takht too had asked the two sides to let Haryana gurdwaras be managed as they used to be earlier till the issue was resolved.

Earlier, around 125 SGPC employees left for Haryana on five vehicles from the SGPC headquarters early this morning to further fortify the shrines. SGPC secretary Roop Singh said: “They are the SGPC employees who will be heading to different destinations in Haryana to assist the existing SGPC staff there in managing the gurdwara affairs.”

SAD raises issue in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 7
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today ramped up pressure on the Centre to direct the Haryana Government to ensure law and order in the state and to free a gurdwara “forcibly” taken over by supporters of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) in Kaithal.

The SAD forced the issue in Parliament through Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra, who stated in the LS that the Haryana Government was casual on breach of law and order by some “bad elements” who had forcibly taken control of a gurdwara in the state.

During Zero Hour, Chandumajra said the Home Minister must get the gurdwara freed. Urging Central intervention, he apprehended that the tension would spread if action was not taken. — TNS

Most shrines out of HSGMC’s reach
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 7
The Supreme Court’s intervention has come as a big relief as there was a wide spread apprehension that there would be more violence for the control of the gurdwaras across the state.

But with the SC’s “status quo” order, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will retain control over seven of the eight historical gurdwaras in the state. Gurdwara Chhevin and Novin Patshahi at Gulha Cheeka (Kaithal) was taken over by the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) yesterday.

The remaining seven gurdwaras fell under Section 85 of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, prior to the enactment of the HSGMC Act, 2014. These gurdwaras have an annual collection of offering of over Rs 20 lakh. These include Gurdwaras Chhevin Patshahi (Kurukshetra), Nada Sahib (Panchkula), Dhamtan Sahib (Jind), Manji Sahib (Ambala), Kapalmochan (Yamunanagar), Panjokhra Sahib (Ambala) and Shri Teg Bahadur Sahib (Jind).

HSGMC president Jagdish Singh Jhinda said as per the classification of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, eight gurdwaras fell under Section 85 and other 44 under Section 87.

Of 44 gurdwaras under Section 87, the HSGMC has control over five. These include Gurdwaras Neem Sahab (Kaithal), Dasvin Padshahi (Pehowa), Jheevan Heri (Yamunanagar), Banni Badarpur (Ladwa) and Dodi Sahab (Taslempur).

“The deployment of task forces in the Haryana gurdwaras has disturbed the law and order... We will take control of all the gurdwaras one by one, peacefully and as per our strategy,” the HSGMC president said. HSGMC secretary general Joga Singh said the committee did not have any details about the number of gurdwaras in Haryana that were managed by Singh Sabhas. He added that committees managed 18 other gurdwaras in Haryana under the SGPC. These are gurdwaras besides those under Sections 85 and 87.

Limited influence
SGPC controls seven of the eight big historical gurdwaras in the state. Gulha Cheeka gurdwara was taken over by the HSGMC on Wednesday
The eight shrines have an annual collection of offering of over Rs 20 lakh
Of 44 gurdwaras under Section 87, the HSGMC has control over five

What they say

The Haryana Government will present its viewpoint before the Supreme Court as and when it’s asked to do so.
Bhupinder Singh Hooda, haryana cm

We welcome the SC decision. It will help calm tempers. The issue can be resolved amicably.
Parkash Singh Badal, as quoted by haracharan bains, adviser to punjab cm

The HSGMC will abide by the Supreme Court directive. We will decide our next move based on the court’s directive.
Jagdish Singh Jhinda, hsgmc chief

We welcome the SC direction to maintain status quo on Haryana’s gurdwaras and expect the two sides to abide by it and refrain from violence in future.
Giani Gurbachan Singh, jathedar

We have appealed to the Kaithal administration to take action against those who took control of the gurdwara at Gulha Cheeka forcibly.
Bibi Jagir Kaur, sgpc ex-president

FDI not to affect Railways’ working: Gowda
Girja Shankar Kaura
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7
Railways Minister Sadananda Gowda today said FDI would not be allowed in the operations sector of the national transporter.

The clarification comes a day after the government gave clearance to fully opening up the railway infrastructure segment to foreign investment.

The Union Cabinet at its meeting last evening cleared the proposal for allowing up to 100 per cent FDI in the rail sector.

Talking to mediapersons, the minister said: “As far as the operating portion of the railways is concerned, certainly we are not allowing FDI. (It is) only in infrastructure and other areas.”

Gowda said they would have to wait for a few months to gauge whether the organisation would attract foreign investment.

The proposal is to allow up to 100 per cent FDI in railway infrastructure projects such as high-speed train systems, suburban corridors and dedicated freight line that are to be executed under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

Currently, there is a complete restriction on any kind of FDI in railway projects except in mass rapid transport systems.

The FDI liberalisation in the sector would help in modernisation and expansion of the projects.

According to estimates, the sector is facing a cash crunch of around Rs 29,000 crore and allowing FDI will help mop up resources.

The Home Ministry had expressed concerns that there might be security related issues for projects in strategic border areas.

Reports said for such projects, prior permission of the Foreign Investment and Promotion Board and clearance from the Home Ministry would be sought, before the FDI being allowed. Meanwhile, the Indian Railways proposes to install solar power plants of 8.8 MW at railway stations, railway office buildings and level crossings throughout the country under railway funding. These include, provision of 10 KWp solar PV modules each at 200 stations under various zonal railways, 4.05 MWp Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) at rooftop of 21 railway office buildings and 1.3 MWp capacity Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) plants at 2,000 level crossings.

It proposes to harness solar energy by utilising rooftop space of railway stations, other railway buildings and land including through the PPP mode as per the feasibility, the modalities of which are being worked out.

Solar power plants have been provided on top of two narrow gauge trains plying on Pathankot-Jogindernagar route in Kangra Valley section and Kalka-Shimla section on trial basis. On evaluation of trial and cost benefit analysis, further study of economic viability will be undertaken.

The estimated cost of 8.8 MW projects is around Rs 100 crore.

Amendment Bill introduced in LS
The government on Thursday introduced the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2014 in the LS
It is aimed at preventing duplication in filing of compensation claims in train accident
It also looks to categorise cases of 'accidental falling' from trains to enable the national transporter to ensure its liability

Trinamool, Left slam FDI in Defence, Railways
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7
A day after the Cabinet cleared 100 per cent FDI in Railways and 49 per cent in Defence, rivals Trinamool Congress and Left parties today joined hands in Rajya Sabha to target the government.

Alleging that the decision was taken in a “hurry” and amounted to “selling” the country’s interests, the two parties questioned its timing.

According to Derek O’Brien of the TMC, the government was in a hurry to implement the decisions ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the US in September. “Whatever has happened in the past 10 days related to approving FDI is a very serious issue. The timing of allowing foreign investment in the two sectors and the way it has happened leaves a lot to be desired,” he said.

The Cabinet had yesterday cleared the proposal to set the composite cap for foreign investment in Defence sector at 49 per cent against the current 26 per cent. But the management control of companies receiving these investments would remain in the hands of Indians.

In Railways, the proposal is to allow up to 100 per cent FDI in infrastructure projects such as high-speed train systems, suburban corridors and dedicated freight line that are to be executed under public-private partnership (PPP) mode. Currently, there is a complete restriction on any kind of FDI in railway projects except in mass rapid transport systems.

Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said the issue was discussed in the House earlier at the time of General and Railway Budget and the Cabinet had taken the formal decision now.

Sitaram Yechury of the CPM was seen drawing the attention of the Chair for taking up the TMC leader’s notice for suspension of Question Hour to raise the issue, pointing towards the new-found friendship between the two rivals.

Govt mulls amending whistleblowers Act

New Delhi, August 7
Some changes in Whistleblowers Protection Act, aimed at ensuring safety of people exposing corruption, is being examined by the government, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

The Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2011 was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 27, 2011 and was transmitted to the Rajya Sabha.

“Subsequently, it was noticed that some of the provisions in the Bill needed a relook with a view to strengthening the safeguards against disclosures which may prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country, security of the state,” said Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Jitendra Singh said in a reply.

Notices for official amendments have been given to the Rajya Sabha secretariat from time to time. The Bill was finally taken up for consideration and passing on February 21, he said.

“However, the official amendments which had been given notice of, were not moved during consideration and passing of the Bill and, accordingly, the Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha without any amendments (i.e. in the same form as passed by the Lok Sabha) on February 21, 2014,” the Minister said.

The Bill got the President’s assent on May 9.

“In view of this, the Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2011 may require some amendments. The matter is under examination,” Singh said. — PTI

Two labour reform Bills introduced in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, August 7
In a move that would affect millions of Indians working in the private sector, the BJP-led government at the Centre today introduced two Bills that seek to reform the decades-old Acts relating to labour laws.

The Factories Amendment Bill-2014 and the Apprentices Amendment Bill-2014 were introduced in the Lok Sabha.

The Cabinet had earlier cleared amendments to the Factories Act-1948, the Apprentices Act-1961 and the Labour Laws Act-1988. The changes to the Factories Act are: Improved safety of workers, increasing the provision of overtime, increasing the penalty for violation of the Act, relaxing norms for women to work in some industry segments at night and reducing number of days an employee needs to work before becoming eligible for benefits such as paid leave. — TNS

Gandhis indispensable to Congress, their absence will split party: Natwar
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7
Days after attacking Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her "authoritarian" and "Machiavellian" functioning, former Foreign Affairs Minister Natwar Singh today said she was indispensable to the party.

He went on to admit that the Gandhi family, including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, was indispensable to the party and in their absence the party would split.

He also expressed surprise at Sonia planning to write a book as she had never planned to write one. He, however, is looking forward to reading her book that, she claims, will reveal the "truth".

He said his book was not individual-oriented, though the media made it out to be one. Speaking at the launch of his much-hyped memoirs "One life is not enough", Natwar remained unsparing in his attack on Sonia, going to the extent of saying that she had no knowledge of India's history or culture and she had learnt everything from her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi.

Natwar stopped short of directly blaming Sonia for Congress' embarrassing Lok Sabha loss and said the Congress number could be even less if Sonia and Rahul were not there. He said there were certain things he did not reveal in his book as it would have been dishonourable to spill the beans.

Natwar had recently stirred up a storm in Congress circles by saying that it was Rahul's insistence that caused Sonia to give the PM's position in 2004 and not her "inner voice" as she and the party had claimed. Natwar reiterated the charge today but added that the revival of the Congress was a must for the strength of the democracy.

"A strong Congress is indispensable for India and for Indian democracy. It is absolutely indispensable," he said, adding that there should be a strong party for democracy in India to function. Natwar's allegations are being taken with a pinch of salt with top leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad asking why it took Natwar so long to reveal what he knew.

TDP MP asks women to dress properly, draws flak

New Delhi, August 7
A TDP member today created a flutter in the Lok Sabha when he asked women to dress in a dignified manner, triggering protests from women MPs one of whom said he should be asked to leave the House.

The issue cropped up during a debate on atrocities on women and children when the TDP member M Murli Mohan made the remark.

"...to uphold the tradition of our Indian culture, I would earnestly appeal to all my sisters, daughters and girls to dress dignifiedly," Mohan said. Taking strong exception to his remarks, several women members, including Supriya Sule (NCP) and Kumari Sushmita Dev (Congress), demanded that the remarks be expunged. — PTI

Now, an app to pay MC taxes in Mumbai

Mumbai, August 7
Mumbai’s municipal corporation has now launched a mobile application which allows citizens to pay water bills, property tax and other fees via their mobile phones.

“We are launching this application in phases. To begin with people will be able to pay water charges using mobile. Gradually other services will be introduced,” Mumbai’s municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte said. The app called MCGM 24X7 is downloadable from the Google Play Store. The BMC will levy a nominal service charge of between Rs 5 and Rs 10 for those paying via the mobile app. “Citizens can save a lot of time standing in queues and pay their bills at their convenience,” mayor Sunil Prabhu said. — TNS

US defence secy to address India’s Afghan concerns
Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7
US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel arrived in India today on a three-day visit during which he will address Indian concerns over troop withdrawal from Afghanistan besides focus on India-US “convergence of interests” in the Asia-Pacific.

The two sides will also be looking to take forward the September 2013 Barack Obama-Manmohan Singh joint announcement on “co-production, co-development, research and new technologies for defence equipment.”

This is the second visit of a top US official to India since Narendra Modi took over as PM and the first by a US Defence Ministry official.

The US and Indian delegation led by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley will meet at the South Block on August 8. Before the meeting, Hagel will call on Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Then he will meet Air Chief Marshall Arup Raha.

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said: “Secretary Hagel’s meetings will focus on the US and India’s converging interests in the Asia-Pacific.”

Bill lowering juvenile age raises concern
No ban on life, death sentence for child convicts of heinous offences
Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7
A day after it was cleared by the Cabinet, the draft Bill to amend the Juvenile Justice Act has triggered serious concerns.

Topping these is a fear over ambiguity over the possibility of 16 to 18-year-old convicts of heinous offences being handed out life or death sentences by the children’s courts trying them.

Although it was believed that the new Bill would categorically rule out harsh sentences to children even as it would for the first time allow serious child offenders to be tried as adults, the same hasn’t happened.

The new Bill does not impose a blanket ban on either life or death sentences for child convicts of heinous offences. Section 22 of the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Bill, 2014, dealing with “orders that can’t be passed against a child in conflict with law” states: “No child in conflict with law shall be sentenced to death or for life imprisonment without the possibility of release, for any such offence, either under the provisions of this Act or under IPC provisions.”

The problem is that this Section can be interpreted to read that a child in conflict with the law can be sentenced for life with the possibility of release (parole/bail etc). “A clarification is very important," says Bharti Ali, an activist.

Another confusion: the Bill says no child shall be sentenced to death for any offence either under the provisions of this Act (read JJ Bill) or under the provisions of the IPC. The Bill stops short of saying no to harsh sentences under all existing laws such as anti-drugs, anti-arms laws such as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, The Arms Act, The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, among others under which juveniles can be sentenced to life or death.

Nicole Menezes of ProChild Network, a coalition of child activists, says: “ We denounce the Bill and want it referred to a parliamentary standing committee.”

Offence and punishment
Anyone in charge of the child (including parents) who assaults him causing mental/physical suffering shall face a jail term extendable to three years or fine of Rs 1 lakh or both; if a child is incapacitated, a term extendable to 10 years and Rs 5 lakh fine
Jail up to 5 years for forced beggary; up to 10 years for amputating for forced beggary
Corporal punishment: Rs 10,000 fine on first conviction; jail up to three months and fine on every subsequent conviction

AAP seeks safety of 41 Indians in Iraq

New Delhi, August 7
An AAP MP today asked the government to find out whether the 41 Indians working near Mosul in Iraq were safe and secure today.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Bhagwant Mann said there were reports that the Indians had allegedly been kidnapped by ISIS militants and killed.

He said their families had come to Delhi since there had been no word from Iraq and the government should ensure their safety.

BJP member Arjun Ram Meghwal asked the government to adopt a humanitarian approach and evolve a mechanism to settle people from the Hindu community who had come to India to “escape harassment” in Pakistan.

He said around 40 such people had been killed in Pakistan in the recent past and the community was "being terrorised" there, but there was no mechanism to settle those who wanted to return to India and live here. — PTI

Soni slams Swaraj
The Congress on Thursday accused External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj of “deliberately keeping out” facts regarding six Indians from Punjab languishing in Iraq jails. Party leader Ambika Soni said Swaraj in reply to a question had said 5,986 Indians were reported to be lodged in jails abroad.

Oppn says Beniwal sack is vendetta

Jaipur, August 7
The NDA government came under attack today over the sacking of Mizoram Governor Kamla Beniwal with the Opposition calling it “political vendetta”, a charge it rejected by saying the action followed serious allegations against her and insisted there was no politics.

Beniwal (87), the former Gujarat Governor who had a running battle with Narendra Modi when he was the state’s Chief Minister, was removed last night just two months before her tenure as Governor of Mizoram was due to end.

Virendra Kataria, also a former Congress leader who was sacked as Puducherry Governor last month, called the action as “political vendetta” and said it was unjustified and an assault on the constitutional office. — PTI

More cancer hospitals coming up, says Vardhan
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 7
The government today rolled out a unique anti-tobacco campaign in which a woman victim of obnoxious substances is narrating her agonising tale to people.

Named Sunita, a 27-year-old mother of two, is at the centre of Health Ministry’s latest anti-tobacco movement which Minister Harsh Vardhan today personally launched. The minister said there is a plan to set up modern cancer hospitals all over India and work to strengthening legal controls on tobacco distribution. He also said the Health Ministry had formed two committees to recommend measures on how to address the social and legal aspects of the war against tobacco use which it has launched.

As for the anti-tobacco spot launched today, it comprises a testimonial campaign revealing dangerous effects of consuming smokeless tobacco products like gutkha, zarda and khaini.

Sunita, with her face disfigured by oral cancer, speaks of how she has like other tobacco users, seen her family ruined because of a four-year habit of chewing tobacco. The young mother has survived but only for now with her doctor saying there’s 50 percent possibility of the disease recurring and if that happens, chances of survival are remote.

Sunita’s message to people is “Nobody should suffer what I have suffered, Nobody should consume tobacco.”

The testimonial campaign titled “Sunita” was inaugurated today by Harsh Vardhan. Sunita’s story has been made into a 30-second film which is included in the website and will be screened in cinemas across India as government and private channels to encourage withdrawal from tobacco.

Trust formed from Modi’s donations
Manas Dasgupta

Gandhinagar, August 7
In deference to the wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Gujarat Government has set up the “NaMo Gujarat Karmayogi Kalyan Nidhi Trust” to manage the fund donated by him.

While relinquishing his office in May, Modi had donated the entire amount of Rs 21 lakh accrued from the salary he was supposed to get during his tenure as the Chief Minister in the state exchequer.

He had expressed the desire that a public charitable trust be created and the fund be utilised for the education and self-employment schemes for daughters of Class IV employees of the state government. The donated amount would become the corpus fund of the trust.

Modi, who laid stress on girls’ education, had developed the practice of holding auctions periodically of articles he had received as gifts during his tenure as the Chief Minister.

The NaMo Gujarat Trust registered under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950, would have Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of the General Administration Department as its trustees.

The trust would have the power to expand its capital funds by accepting donations from outside or assistance from the government sources, but would not deviate from the basic ideology of encouraging women’s education. It would limit its ambit to the girl child of the Class IV employees of the state government, an official spokesman said.

CBI arrests Bhushan Steel vice-chairman

New Delhi, August 7
The CBI today arrested Neeraj Singal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bhushan Steel Ltd BSL), in connection with Rs 50 lakh bribery scandal involving CMD of Syndicate Bank SK Jain.

Singal, who was allegedly evading arrest, has been nabbed from here, agency sources said. He has allegedly gone missing from his residence after the agency had carried out searches and did not appear on Saturday before the officials of the agency for examination.

Singal has applied for anticipatory bail application but it was rejected by Special CBI court of Swarana Kanta Sharma. Sharma dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Singal, observing that the offence alleged in the case was serious in nature as it involves huge amount of public money. — PTI

Golconda fort as I-Day function venue triggers row
Suresh Dharur
Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, August 7
The Telangana government’s decision to hold the Independence Day celebrations at Golconda Fort, the 16th century heritage site on the city outskirts, has triggered a political controversy with the BJP raising objections over the move.

“Golconda was a place where the notorious Razakars (Armed militia of Nizam) ruled and committed atrocities on the people of Telangana. It symbolises the brutalities of the past,” president of the Telangana BJP unit G Kishan Reddy said here. He questioned the rationale behind Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s move to shift the Independence Day celebrations from the traditional Parade Grounds in Secunderabad to the historic Golconda Fort, about 15 km from the city.

“The government should explain the criteria behind selecting the fort to hoist the National Flag. This was the place from where dictators ruled and if you hoist the National Flag from the fort, what message will it send?” the BJP leader said and demanded that the celebrations be held at Parade Grounds, the traditional venue.

Last week, Reddy had created flutter in political circles when raised objections over the government’s decision to choose Tennis star Sania Mirza as the brand ambassador of Telangana state on the ground that she was ineligible for the honour following her marriage with Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik.

Demanding to know on what basis the Chief Minister had decided to change the venue from Parade Grounds to Golkonda fort, the BJP leader said, “Independence Day is a national festival and it is not a family matter of KCR. He has to tell people what had made him to change the venue.”

The BJP leader said that if the government was keen on Golconda fort, then it should celebrate the “liberation” day there on September 17, the day on which Nizam had surrendered to Indian army in 1948.

The sprawling Golconda fort, located on a 400-foot high granite hill, was built by the Kakatiya rulers as part of southern defences. It was later expanded and developed into a granite fort during the Qutub Shahi dynasty in the 16th century. Giving a new twist to the row, the defence authorities have claimed that the vast expanse of land where the Independence Day function is proposed to be held is Army Cantonment land. Telangana government officials, however, have countered the claim stating that as per government revenue records, the land belonged to the state government.

With the dispute cropping up just a week ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, the defence authorities and government officials have decided to conduct a joint survey to resolve the land ‘dispute’ involving 51 acres of land behind the fort.

The CM had personally visited the fort last week and zeroed in on the vast stretch of land near the Rani Mahal for the flag-hoisting ceremony with the guests to be accommodated in the lawns opposite Taramati Masjid. About 12,000 people can be seated on the lawns, and for the first time, the police parade would be held in the fort.

BJP raises objection
Golconda was a place where the notorious Razakars (Armed militia of Nizam) ruled and committed atrocities on the people of Telangana. It symbolises the brutalities of the past, said G Kishan Reddy, Telangana BJP chief.