All the gathering wholeheartedly participated in the "Havan cum Puja" ceremony with devotion and dedication which was performed in an atmosphere of divine presence and spiritual spirits for the betterment of the whole universe. On this rejoicing day, brightness and happiness was glaring on the faces of all the devotees. Swami Ji offered his benefic darshan to all the participants waiting with zest and zeal and also gracefully blessed them by their turn after they had their "prashad" in the Ashram premises. With this regard, a grand Bhandara was well organised and served to all and sundry in a disciplined and proper manner by a group of prominent devotees spontaneously.

Haryana CM too, influenced by glory of Jainism
Chandraswami a crucial force for Jains

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, May 7: The event was purely religious, involving a large gathering of members, male and female, belonging to the Jain community. It was ‘Acharya Pud Chhadar Mohutsav’.

Clearly, those who attended the event as observers or those who had been invited to make brief speeches knew the fact that the organisers as well as the audience merely expected expression and activity in support of the ‘glory’ of Jainism.

And one of the distinguished speakers, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, Chief Minister of Haryana, had possibly been briefed by the Delhi-based ‘godman’, Chandraswami, on the great teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, before the former reached the venue of ‘Acharya Pud Chhadar Mohutsav’ before noon on Monday.

In fact, Mr Chautala and Chandraswami appeared on the scene together as David and Jonathan at 11.30 am. And both of them were warmly received by the members of the reception committee. Mr Chautala devoted most part of his speech to the "great ideology, great philosophy, great ideals and great principles of great religion of Jainism".

But the Haryana Chief Minister could not resist the temptation of touching upon topical issues, namely, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee’s peace initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s "negative" policies and the brutal killing of several BSF jawans by Bangladeshi forces. His references, though brief, to these issues assumed significance as he asserted that the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir had influenced Indians so much that they did not subscribe to eye-for-eye and tooth-for-tooth tactics.

The Haryana Chief Minister, nonetheless, expressed deep shock and anguish over the brutal killing of the BSF soldiers by the Bangladeshis. "Bangladesh is the creation of India. It was tragic that our own child (Bangladesh) chose to kill citizens of its creator (India). Well, we have learnt from Bhagwan Mahavir the precious lesson of non-violence and amity. Hence, our men decided not to retaliate", Mr Chautala said.

Mr Chautala criticised Pakistan for its "negative" thinking and policy even after Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee demonstrated, in clear terms, his desire and keenness to restore peace and normalcy in Kashmir. The Vajpayee Government announced the unilateral cease-fire in Jammu and Kashmir. "Unfortunately, Pakistan has been found trying to derail the peace process in Kashmir", he lamented.

By the time Chandraswami arrived to participate in the important ceremony of the faith he professes as a member of the Jain community, his message had reached the rest of his co-religionists vis-à-vis his "commitment" to making further contributions, if and when required, for the promotion and spread of teachings and philosophy of Jainism.

Indeed, Chandraswami also conveyed through his message: "I am Mahavir’s son and a disciple of Mahadev (Lord Shiva). As a member ardently and passionately professing Jainism, I have been governed by non-violence preached by Mahavir, karma philosophy propounded by Lord Krishna and high ideals preached and practised by Lord Rama".

Chandraswami set a host of observers thinking anew when his admirers, particularly, the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and the Union Minister, Mr SS Dhindsa, made pointed references to "respected swamiji" (Chandraswami) during their brief speeches at the function held in East Delhi. Another Union Minister, Mr Sunderlal Patwa, also spoke on the occasion.

Mr Dhindsa did not fight shy of admitting, publicly, that he has had been in touch with Chandraswami before being "asked by swamiji to attend this holy function". "I am here after Chandraswamiji asked me to receive blessings from the holy priests professing noble Jainism".

Major changes likely in Home Ministry

From B L Kak

NEW DELHI, May 7: The Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, Mr Brajesh Mishra, is said to have been thrown into confusion, with Mr Jaswant Singh unexpectedly mustering the courage and asserting himself as the Minister for External Affairs.

Mr Brajesh Mishra, who is widely known for his keen and active interest in foreign policy, has this time been sidelined by Mr Jaswant Singh, who, without the former’s knowledge, dispensed with all formalities in clearing India’s support for the national missile defence shield proposed by the Bush Administration.

According to reports doing the rounds in the Capital, Mr Jaswant Singh went ahead after informing his Prime Minister about all that was up his sleeve. Mr Singh, these reports said, did not take cognizance of the "reservations" which Mr Brajesh Mishra had earlier voiced on the issue.

Why did Mr Brajesh Mishra keep quiet? Sources in the Government say that his authority has been eroded, though not completely, following the sustained offensive against him by hard-liners in the BJP and the RSS.

And happily for Mr Jaswant Singh, office-bearers, both senior and junior, in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) do not, in the change circumstances, come across any irritating interference by ‘outsiders’. Among these ‘outsiders’, Mr Brajesh Mishra was considered to be the most conspicuous person till the commencement of ‘war’ against him by a section of the Sangh Parivar.

While Mr Jaswant Singh has emerged as the "real" boss of the Ministries of External Affairs and Defence, Mr Brajesh Mishra has been forced to learn a lesson or two and avoid interfering in the working of Foreign Office.

At the same time, Mr Jaswant Singh has been confronted with a few questions which, if not carefully handled, can land him in trouble in the coming days and weeks. Why was not the decision to support the highly controversial national missile defence (NMD) system placed before the Union Cabinet for a collective view? Why was not Cabinet briefed about the proposal or the reasons determining India’s hasty response?

Nor is it all. Why was not the Ministry of External Affairs itself involved in any level of consultations? Why did Mr Jaswant Singh avoid seeking an opinion from the officials? Why was the National Security Council (NSC) kept out of the decision altogether?

Meanwhile, decks seem to have been cleared for a major reshuffle in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The move, in this regard, is reported to have been approved by Mr LK Advani, after he was informed that several senior officers had completed their terms. They include both IAS and IPS officers.

Sources told EXCELSIOR that at least four Joint Secretaries, who have been handling sensitive areas, will soon be moving back to their parent cadres and States from where they had come on deputation. Among them, Mr GK Pillai, who is handling the North-East desk in the MHA, Mr OP Arya, joint secretary in charge of police administration, Mr Shiv Basant, Joint Secretary in charge of Jammu and Kashmir, and Joint Secretary in charge of security related matters.

Sources said that Mr Advani himself would finalise the list of new officers to work in his Ministry. Mr Advani, according to these sources, has also to find a replacement for the Director of Intelligence Bureau, Mr Shyamal Dutta, who is scheduled to retire on May 31.

Mr PK Misra, a Special Director, who can replace Mr Shyamal Dutta, may not get the coveted post because he, too, is on the verge of retirement. Hence, chances of another IB Special Director, Mr KP Singh, appear bright. If all goes well, he will don the mantle of Director IB when Mr Dutta retires.

Top Hizb militant killed in Kupwara

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 7: While as security forces have eliminated a Hizbul Mujahideen militant in Handwara area, militants attacked a group of counter-insurgents and left three Ikhwanis critically injured in Kulgam today.

Official sources said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 24th Bn raided a militant hideout at Kakroosa village, in Handwara area of Kupwara district late last night. During the operation, an exchange of fire took place between the two sides and one militant of Hizbul Mujahideen got killed. He was identified as Abdul Majeed Sheikh alias Lala S/o Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh of Kalipora, Kakroosa. One AK-56 rifle was recovered from the spot.

Residential house of one Mohammad Munnawar Rather suffered extensive damage as the militants were hiding in the same house which was destroyed by troops. However, there was no civilian casualty.

Reports from south Kashmir said that militants fired upon a group of counter-insurgents at Bugam village in Kulgam. Three Ikhwan members sustained critical injuries and they were rushed to an Army hospital. They were identified as Fayaz Ahmed Lone S/o Ghulam Mohammad Lone of Hadipora, Ghulam Hassan Ganai S/o Ghulam Mohammad Ganai of Puchhal (Pulwama) and Bashir Ahmed Dar S/o Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Pohloo.

At Verinag in south Kashmir, late last night militants fired upon a camp of ITBP 10th Bn. Troops retaliated and the militants fled away.

Reports from Tangmarg said that a number of residents converged on Srinagar-Tangmarg road at Dhobiwan and blocked the road for two hours while protesting against the search operation carried out by security forces. Troops of Rashtriya Rifles, SOG Kunzar and BSF 194 Bn had conducted an operation at Tarhama village. During the operation, troops picked up a young man for questioning but his mother lost consciousness. Residents alleged that she suffered cardiac arrest and died. They held the security forces responsible for her death and shouted anti-India and pro-Azadi slogans.

However, ASP and other Police officials reached the spot and found the woman alive. They rushed her to a hospital and pacified the demonstrators who later dispersed peacefully.

Sexual exploitation in dental colleges
J&K Chief Secretary among 3 summoned by SC

NEW DELHI, May 7: Taking exception to inaction of authorities to the allegations that Kashmiri girl students were being sexually exploited in certain dental colleges in Bihar, the Supreme Court has asked Chief Secretaries of Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Jharkhand to be personally present in court on Friday.

The Apex Court had taken cognisance of a letter written to one of the judges of the court by J & K People’s Vigilance Bureau alleging that girls were being sexually exploited by the management of certain professional colleges and those resisting the moves of the management were being harassed.

A bench comprising Justice K T Thomas and Justice R P Sethi had on March 20 issued notice to Chief Secretaries of these three states, the Centre and chairperson of National Commission for Women and sought their replies by April 24. Notice was also issued to S M Naqvi Dental College, Darbhanga, Bihar, where these incidents allegedly took place.

However, the court noted on April 24 that none of the respondents have filed their replies and directed "the Chief Secretaries of those states should appear before the court on May 11, 2001 and show cause why they have not given any reply to the averments in the writ petition so far as it concerns students belonging to those states."

The bench on April 24 issued fresh notice to the Principal of S M Naqvi Dental College also asking him to be personally present before the court on May 11.

Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary of Bihar, Mukund Prasad, in his affidavit, stated that the Special Secretary to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir had written to Bihar Government drawing the attention to such allegations and had requested remedial measures.

On the order of the Bihar Chief Minister, a probe was ordered into the incident by a five-member inquiry committee, which submitted its report on March one, Prasad said.

The committee concluded that all girl students of S M Naqvi Immam Dental College and Mithila Minority Dental College denied the allegation of sexual exploitation, the Chief Secretary said.

"In the end, the committee reported that from the gesture of the girls, during the interview, it appeared that they were hiding some facts," Prasad said quoting the report.

The committee had said "since from the gesture of the girls during the interview, it appeared that they are hiding some facts the matter may be got inquired by some specialised agency such as CID separately."

The Bihar Chief Minister then ordered CID inquiry, which after visiting all the dental colleges in the area and talking to the girl students, concluded that there was no sexual exploitation of girl students. (PTI)

Demands separation from Kashmir
Ladakhi delegation meets Pant

NEW DELHI, May 7: A Ladakhi delegation has met centre’s interlocutor on Kashmir talks K C Pant and demanded separation of the province from rest of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We put forward our demands and stressed on separation from Kashmir which may include Union Territory status," Lama Lobzang, leader of the three-member delegation, which met Pant last week, told PTI here today.

"How it could be achieved, may be discussed," he added.

The delegation, which also comprised Rigzin Palbar, Executive Councillor of the Leh Autonomous Hill District Council (LAHDC) and Sonam Namgyal, apprised Pant about their views on other issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir too.

He said there was "hundred percent" support for this demand in Leh district, one of the two districts which comprise Ladakh province of Jammu and Kashmir State.

"Even Muslims of Leh are also supportive of his demand," Lama claimed.

He said already three meetings had been held in Leh on this issue to evolve a consensus.

The demand for Union Territory status is more than two decades old and in support of this an intense agitation was witnessed in 1987, which on many occasions turned violent. This demand, however, was temporarily put on the back-burner after the LAHDC was formed. But it failed to eliminate the feeling among the Ladakhis of "hegemonism" by Kashmir.

Pant, who has already held talks with former Chief Minister Syed Mir Qasim and noted figure of Jammu Balraj Puri, has sent invitations to other groups of Ladakh also to ascertain their views on the Kashmir issue. (PTI)

Cong, Left damaging country’s democratic reputation: PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, May 7: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today charged the Congress and Left parties with damaging India’s reputation as world’s biggest democracy by their continued disruption of Parliament.

"The Congress and Left parties are running away from the test on the floor of Parliament. The world looks at India as the biggest democracy. Paralysing Parliament has damaged our prestige", Vajpayee said while addressing a BJP campaign rally at the central stadium here.

"The Congress and the Communists who are together in Delhi want the Government to resign over the Tehelka expose. I would like to ask the Congress what would follow if the Government quit. Do they want the country to be pushed into anarchy and chaos? we are not going to oblige them," he asserted.

Accusing the Left parties of resorting to violence in West Bengal and Kerala, Vajpayee said violent methods had no place in democracy.

"If the people are angry towards certain parties let them express their anger through the ballot."

Extremist outfits were also active in Assam to disrupt the election there, he said.

Recalling his long stint in the opposition since the Jan Sangh days, Vajpayee said his party had used the opportunity then to criticise the Government without turning Parliament into chaos. "We served the people while in the opposition and that is why we could come to power."

Countering the opposition charge of the NDA Government being anti-minority, Vajpayee said "such propaganda is baseless."

There was also no truth in the allegation that the Government had failed to protect the farmers’ interests.

"Being a member of the WTO we have to follow certain norms. Still, adequate measures have been taken to protect farmers’ interests. For instance, the Government had taken steps to procure copra from the producers," he said.

The Prime Minister said the Government had implemented some of the items in his Kumarakom package for Kerala and the rest would be carried out without delay.

The progress of the country needed political stability which the NDA and running the Government on the basis of the national agenda would be able to provide, he said.

He said his Government had been able to improve the economic situation which was in disarry when it came to power. (PTI)

Old man killed in heavy Pak firing

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 7: Pakistani troops stepped-up heavy firing on the International Border in Jammu sector during the day today killing an old man in Kanachak sector. Exchange of firing between Indo-Pak troops was also reported from several positions on the Line of Control (LoC).

Civilian killed in Kanachak sector this morning has been identified as Pritam Chand, 60, a resident of village Panjore.

Reports said Pritam Chand suffered a gun shot in his head in heavy firing by Pakistan troops at 0830 hours today in Panjore village. He was evacuated from firing site and rushed to Medical College hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Pak army continued firing in entire Kanachak sector for about one hour beginning 0830 hours. Indian side replied firing in all forward areas. Heavy fire arms were used by both sides.

Casualties were also suspected on Pakistan side but no details were available.

Simultaneously, enemy troops also resorted to firing on other Indian villages in Akhnoor, Pargwal and Chhamb sector. Intensity of firing in these villages was comparatively low. There was no report of any loss of life or damage to either side in exchange of firing in these areas.

Last night, Pak firing was reported from Hiranagar, Ramgarh, RS Pura, Arnia and Suchetgarh areas.

Official sources said Pak firing was aimed at pushing militants besides thwarting Indian efforts for border fencing. However, nefarious designs of Pakistan army have been foiled, they added.

Our Rajouri correspondent adds: Indo-Pak troops exchanged firing at about half a dozen places in Nowshera sector early this morning. Small arms firing lasted about one and a half hour and was described by Defence sources as routine.

ISI directs for bloodshed on poll eve

GUWAHATI, May 7: Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has instructed the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) to ensure maximum bloodshed in the State and create confusion among the people to dissuade them from voting in the May 10 polls, highly-placed police sources have said.

Sources told UNI here today that the banned outfit’s Pakistani masters wanted it to indulge in large-scale destruction and death to cause terror among the people besides vitiating the otherwise peaceful atmosphere during the polls.

Intelligence reports suggest that senior ULFA leaders are on the run following pressure from the security forces even as the ISI desperately wanted it to regroup, sources informed.

With life turning miserable due to shortage of ration, money and manpower and surveillance on them by the Bhutanese Government, the ULFA activists there had become desperate and were clamouring to make their presence felt in Assam.

This feeling has been well exploited by the ISI which wanted to subvert the democratic process in the State as a duly elected Government would be a lethal blow to the Pakistani designs, which believed in fomenting trouble in India by hook or by crook.

Ever since elections were declared, ULFA had been trying hard to unite its cadre and indoctrinating them with its gospel on secession, sources informed and said despite this the morale amongst them seems to have taken a beating.

Sources said, with the surrendered ULFA cadre speaking out about the appalling conditions in the camps in Bhutan, the top leadership is finding it increasingly difficult to get new recruits, as there were few takers to their ideologies.

Despite all this, it would be immature to write off the outfit as a spent force because of some pockets in Assam where they still occasionally make their presence felt and with effective ease.

Sources also aver that "the ULFA has a stake in the May 10 elections as it would not want people to feel that they have been marginalised and given up their activities. Look at the losses they have suffered. They are in a poor shape. People now refuse them food, money and other accessories which they have long enjoyed without fail."

"Now ULFA’s top leadership have become pawns in the hands of the isi and it is their Pakistani lords who set the agenda for them and direct their movements besides equipping them with money and subversive material," sources informed.

That they should indulge in wanton violence during the elections is nothing but the latest directive of the ISI, sources said and added that in the remaining two days of campaigning more ‘large-scale’ destruction could not be ruled out. (UNI)

Indian forces using UAVs

NEW DELHI, May 7: For the first time, Indian armed forces are using the newly-inducted Unmanned Aerial Reconissance Vehicles (UAVs) in both offensive as well as defensive modes in the biggest-ever wargames, which have gained momentum in the western Thar Desert.

The air force as well as the Army are deploying UAVs to keep track of rapid buildups and thrusts by armour and mechanised forces, Defence Ministry sources said.

Operation ‘Poorna Vijay’, as the wargames have been codenamed, are the biggest ever exercises being conducted by the armed forces after the 1987 operation brasstacks involving a strike corp, large mechanised formations of massed artillery, special forces and over 130 warplanes ranging from MiG-21 to 29, transport aircraft and attack helicopters.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A Y Tipnis accompanied by the Air Officer Commanding in Chief Western Air Command, Air Marshal Krishnaswamy today visited the air forces operational location for the exercises.

Addressing Squadron and Flight Commanders, Tipnis told them "this is the closest fighter pilots can get to a war like situation".

With the initial few days from May 2 being utilised by formations for marshalling, the wargames are now coming to a climax with bold rapid thrusts, counter-thrusts and armoured columns criss-crossing hundreds of kilometres a day.

The Defence Minister Jaswant Singh and the Army Chief Gen S Padamanabhan would be visiting the Suratgarh area tomorrow. All the five commands of the Indian Army are participating in the exercises, they added. (PTI)

BJP opposes fresh notification

LUCKNOW, May 7: Uttar Pradesh Bhartiya Janata Party president Kalraj Misra today said that his party was against the move to issue a fresh notification for the trial of those accused in the Ayodhya demolition case.

Addressing a press conference here, he said, there was no need for the State Government to issue a fresh notification in this regard, and if the Central Bureau of Investigation moves to the Supreme Court on the matter, his party would contest the move there.

Mr Mishra opined that though the State Government could use its discretion in this regard but his party would not like it to go for the same.

"In my opinion, the accused are innocent hence should not stand trial in the demolition case," he said.

Moreover, Mr Mishra pointed out, the erroneous notification was issued by the UP Government when the State was under President’s rule and Mr Moti Lal Vora was the Governor, and added that maybe the faulty notification was issued deliberately.

The special CBI court had recently ordered to drop cases against 21 accused which included Union Ministers L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti for want of proper notification to be issued by the UP Government for formal transfer of Ayodhya cases to the CBI court for trial.

The state BJP chief also expressed ‘shock’ at the boycott of some opposition parties including the main opposition Samajwadi Party from the legislature against the ban on Student’s Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

"It is known to everyone that SIMI is another wing of the Pak intelligence agency ISI and the support extended to it by opposition parties put into doubt their integrity towards the nation," he said.

The SIMI was out to disintegrate the country and the opposition’s support to it was not only ‘shocking’ but also ‘condemnable’ and ‘regrettable’, the BJP leader said. This attitude of the opposition was beyond any justification, he remarked.

Mr Mishra went on to add that the role of opposition was only helping the cause of his party for the next elections. "The undoings of opposition would further strengthen the resolve of the BJP to cater to the needs of the common lot in an effective manner," he said. (UNI)

Pak tops crime chart in UK

ISLAMABAD, May 7: Pakistanis top the crime chart among expatriates in the United Kingdom with the country accounting for more than two per cent of the prisoners in British jails.

"Crime rate among Pakistanis is higher than any other community in Britain," the Friday Times said quoting Prof Mohd Anwar of the Warwick University.

"More than two per cent of the prisoners rotting in British jails are Pakistanis, the highest from any country," it said.

Pakistanis form the third largest community in the UK with their number touching more than 700,000 now from 5000 in 1951.

Negative role of the Muslim clergy was also a cause of concern as their sermons arouse fear of ‘Talibanisation’ in the UK.

Radical groups like the Hizbul Tahrir and the Al Mujahideen- were responsible for unrest among the unemployed British-Pakistani youth, the daily said.

The Pakistani clergy control most of the 1500 mosques in Britain, which are being manned by ‘Imams and Khateebs’ belonging to the Deoband School of Thought. The school is considered responsible for the creation of the Talibans and the recruitment of youth for fighting in Jammu and Kashmir.

The paper said expatriate Muslims are reluctant to integrate with host societies when compared with other communities.

With Pakistan politics becoming more and more religious, it leaves its impact on the expatriate community.

"It is difficult for a British-Pakistani to try consciously to participate in the UK’s secular politics. The community should have eight members in the House of Commons. At present, there is one Pakistani in the House," Prof Anwar said.

The recent British decision to ban 21 militant outfits including three from Pakistan, was also a cause of concern.

The Lashkar-e-Toiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammed and the Harkatul Mujahideen are all powerful Deobandi "Wahabi" outfits carrying out "Jehad in Kashmir". The Muslim Council of Britain has protested over this decision.

The community has also been hit hard by the death of Britain’s textile industry. Earlier, 20 per cent Pakistanis were involved in the sector.

Prof Anwar said in the next ten years, the Pakistanis would suffer further decline in integration and prosperity. (UNI)

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