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CM assures land and Rs. 5 cr for Valmiki Bhavan in the city
By Team Mangalorean Bangalore BANGALORE: October 22, 2010: Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa, who declared a government holiday on Valmiki Jayanthi on October 22, in the State, has told the community people that he would sanction land in the city and Rs.5 crore for constructing a Valmiki Bhavan.      He was speaking after inaugurating the Valmiki Jayanti function at the Vidhana Soudha here on Friday. He said that the government would release Rs.5 crore for printing 25,000 copies of Ramayana in Kannada and distributing them in schools and colleges. The purpose would be to spread the values enshrined in the epic by Valmiki among students, so that they could imbibe them and become good citizens. On a demand for land by Kannada writer , Kamala Hampana, the Chief Minister said the government grant a plot to build the Bhavan before 2011 and the next Jayanti should be celebrated in the new premises. Mr. Yeddyurappa also declared State holiday on Kanaka Jayanti last year to woo the Kuruba community towards the BJP. The Chief Minister said that he has been passing through tough times since he assumed office in May 30, 2008 and urged the people not to believe allegations made against the government by Opposition parties. He distributed scholarship to meritorious students of the community and the Government had set apart Rs.24.53 lakhs for the purpose. He honoured persons in the community for their service to the society. Social Welfare Minister A. Narayana Swamy welcomed and listed the welfare measures implemented by the Bharatiya Janata Party government for the benefit of the scheduled castes including those belonging to the Valmiki caste. IT-BT Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu, Food and Civil Supplpies Minister V. Somanna, State Planning Board Deputy Chairman Ramachandra Gowda, D.B.Chandre Gowda, MP and Mayor S.K.Nataraj participated.
Manpreet visits temple
Tribune News Service
Friday, October 22, 2010, Chandigarh, India Kharar, October 21
Former finance minister of Punjab Manpreet Badal paid obeisance at a Valmiki temple here today. Chamkaur Sahib MLA Charanjit Singh Channi accompanied him during his visit. Manpreet said he would visit Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar on November 14 where his supporters would take part in a rally. The former finance minister said he had worked for the welfare of the state and had made people aware of financial crisis the state had plunged into. The state was caught in a quagmire of debt and it was a Herculean task to bail it out. Manpreet added that he had tried to take Punjab to new heights but the Badals’ had got infuriated over it. He said all right-thinking politicians of the state should help him bring prosperity to the state. Those present included former MC president Sukhwant Singh, Avtar Singh Sidhu, Roshan Lal, Ram Rattan Singh, Amrik Singh Baidwan and Randhir Kaur. Valmiki Jayanti celebrated LUDHIANA: Valmiki Jayanti was celebrated at Green Land Senior Secondary Public School, Jalandhar bypass, with fervour. The students of middle and senior section sang hymns in praise of Maharishi Valmiki. Speeches were delivered by students and teachers, throwing light on the life of the legendary sage. The chairman-cum-director of the Green Land Schools, Rajesh Rudhra, implored the students to follow the teachings of the sage. He said it was important to work selflessly for the humanity as service towards man was service towards God. Principal of the school Baldeep Pandher told the students the importance of the day and exhorted them to follow the path of righteousness. Religiosity becomes headache for motorists
Two more processions today
Mohit Khanna
Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 20
Respite from serpentine traffic queues seems to be a distant dream for city residents as religious processions coupled with incomplete infrastructure projects are adding to chaos on roads. Religious processions have left commuters high and dry and the problem is aggravating by the day with no solution in sight. City residents who are planning to go shopping tomorrow evening can expect some nasty traffic jams as two factions will organise processions across the city to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Valmiki. While the traffic police claims to have made arrangements to minimise discomfort to residents, commuters fear the holding of processions during peak hours will spell chaos on roads. While thousands of supporters of the Bharatiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj headed by Laxman Dravid will hold a procession at Chaura Bazaar and its surrounding areas, those supporting another organisation led by Vijay Danav will organise a state-level procession at Ferozepur Road, Ghumar Mandi and Mall Road in the evening. The processions are expected to start around 3 pm and cover different parts of the city till 9 pm. Religious processions seem to have not gone down well with city residents. They feel such events have lost their significance as most have become a tool in the hands of leaders to display their show of strength. A traffic policeman, on the condition of anonymity, says: “Earlier, one organisation used to hold a procession across the city. It used to be a day-long affair and was well organised. But leaders have lately formed their own factions and currently four different organisations are holding processions in the city to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Valmiki.” Miffed over traffic chaos created by religious processions, a commuter says: “For the past two days I have been getting caught in traffic jams while returning home caused by religious processions and tomorrow two more processions will be held.” According to ACP (Traffic) Wazir Singh, the police has made all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the processions. Traffic diversions will be made to minimise chaos. He also requested the residents not to park their vehicles haphazardly in the middle of the road while shopping in markets. Unipole numbers match: MC
Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 20
The municipal corporation has claimed that the number of unipoles/hoardings, promoting products or companies, put up in the city was in consonance with that allocated officially and that it had no vested interest in promoting illegal hoardings. The corporation authorities have further said the figure from the department can be tallied with the total number of unipoles put up in the city. Those mushrooming “illegally” on major roads in the city are of religious nature and getting the patronage of political leaders. As per the data available with The Tribune, the corporation has given nod to three main companies — Greenline, Pioneer Publicity and Balaji Ads — to put up hoardings on roads in the city. The number of unipoles to be put up by these companies was 200, 220 and 25, respectively. The MoU with the companies was signed by the then Commissioner GS Ghuman and the contract will expire in 2013. “These companies have been allotted roads where they can display advertisements. The only drawback in the contract is that the number of unipoles to be displayed on a particular road has not clearly been mentioned in the agreement, as a result of which companies have started displaying their ads on busy and leading roads in the city. The civic body cannot make amendments and will have to terminate the previous contract to get it changed. But as per the contract, the total number of displayed boards is not more than 445,” said MC Additional Commissioner Kamalpreet Brar. The authorities further added that the only revenue loss to the civic body was when unipoles carried promotion of religious functions. “To make leaders or well-connected persons happy, companies promote their own products on advertisements of religious functions. Otherwise, any such board promoting products (even if it is displayed on the board of a religious function) is liable to draw penalty of Rs 1,500. However, the corporation has been unable to get even a single penny from them as they enjoy political patronage,” said another official of MC on the condition of anonymity. Vijay Danav, national general secretary, Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj, said: “We ask people not to promote their shops/products under the garb of some religious functions, still they write their names or promote their products on boards of religious events.” Safai karamcharis to get more
Manish Sirhindi
Tribune News Service Panipat, October 20
In an attempt to strike a cord with the Balmikis in the state, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced an increase in the monthly remuneration of safai karamcharis from Rs 3,525 per month to Rs 4,348 per month. The hike would benefit 1,1700 such workers. Hooda, addressing an impressive gathering on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki’s birth anniversary, said the government had been working for the welfare of the downtrodden and its commitment to uplifting all sections of society was unshaken. In reply to one of the demands of the Balmikis, the Chief Minister announced that the remuneration of safai karamcharis would be disbursed through banks rather than sarpanches. Referring to the demand for reservation, he said that matter was pending with the Supreme Court and Haryana’s stand was in ‘their favour’. Hooda said the state government would be spending Rs 191 crore this year for social, educational and economic uplift of SCs and BCs in the state. The government would expend Rs 500 crore on providing scholarship to 18 lakh students.The CM said that to check the dropout rate among poor students, the government had been giving a monthly stipend of Rs 150 and Rs 100 to SC girls and boys, respectively. Besides, SC girls pursuing higher education were being given scholarship ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs14,000 per year. The government had provided 100 square yard plots to more than 3.5 lakh people living below the poverty line. The government had introduced training programmes for unemployed youth. Besides, Rs 31,000 was being given to solemnise the marriage of SC girls under Indira Gandhi Priyadarshni Shagun Yojana. Today’s rally was organised by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jaiveer Balmiki. The HPCC president, Phool Chand Mullana, working president Kuldeep Sharma, MP from Karnal Arvind Sharma, Education and Health Minister Geeta Bhukkal, MLAs Shakuntala Khatak and Balbir Pal Shah and other senior leaders participated.
State level function on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti
at Panipat on October 20, 2010: Jaiveer Balmiki
August 9, 2010 by admin
Filed under: India News
Chandigarh, Haryana Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Jaiveer Balmiki who is also the president of ‘Bhagwan Valmiki Pragat Divas Aayojan Samiti’ today said that the Committee has decided to organize a state level function on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti at Panipat on October 20, 2010. Mr. Jaiveer who was addressing the media persons soon after presiding over a meeting of Bhagwan Valmiki Pragat Divas Aayojan Samiti’ here said that Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda would be the chief guest in the State level function. He said that Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti would be celebrated throughout the country on October 22 and the committee had decided to celebrate this as a State level function two days prior on October 20. State level function on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti at Panipat on Octob... Page 1 of 4 http://www.indianews.org.in/state-level-function-on-the-occasion-of-maharishi-valmik... 24-Sep-10 Mr. Balmiki said that to organize this function successfully a committee comprising of distinguished persons belonging to Balmiki community of all districts would be constituted. The committee would visit each district and invite the people to attend the function. Similarly, during its visit the committee would also pen down the grievances of the people of villages which would be placed before the Government for redressal. He said that as many as 10,000 people from each district were expected to take part in the State level function. In reply to a question Mr. Balmiki said that education plays a pivotal role in the development of any community and the present State Government, under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had framed a unique education policy for the children belonging to the Balmiki community as well as for the children of weaker sections of the society so that no child could be left uneducated in the absence of facilities. He said that students belonging to this community were being given monthly scholarships. They were also being giving free text books. Apart from this a number of ambitious schemes had been implemented for the children of this community to get higher education. Mr. Balmiki said that the State Government had started a scheme namely ‘Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojna’ to provide free plots of 100 sq. yards each to the poor people of this community. Under this scheme, plots had already been distributed to 3,27,751 beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes, Backward Class-A and those living Below Poverty Line (BPL). These beneficiaries included 1,22,370 families of Scheduled Castes living below poverty line and 62,475 non BPL Scheduled Castes families. He said that the present State government had given such due respect to the Balmiki community which was never given before by any previous government. He said that Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda not only gave five tickets to the community in the Vidhan Sabha Elections but had also given equal participation in the government. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for giving them due honour. On this occasion former Minister Mr Banta Ram, former MLA Mrs. Meena Mandal, Mr. M.L. Sarwan, Mr. M.P. Bidhlan, Mr. Raj Kumar Balmiki, Balbir Singh Balmiki, Mr. Ramphal Lot and other distinguished members of Balmiki community were also present. All arrangements in place for Valmiki Jayanti fete
Staff Correspondent
THE HINDU, Thursday, Oct 14, 2010
Procession to be taken out from BDAA ground BELLARY: Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti will be celebrated on a grand scale across Bellary district on October 22, according to Deputy Commissioner B. Shivappa.
Mr. Shivappa told presspersons here on Wednesday that the celebrations were being organised following an order from the Government. The Government has declared a holiday on October 22.
As part of the district-level celebrations, a portrait of Valmiki would be taken out in a procession from BDAA ground. Tableaux and folk artistes' troupes would also be part of the procession in which people from all over the district were expected to participate, he said.
Arrangements had been made for sale of books on Valmiki brought out by the Tribal Study Centre of the Kannada University, Hampi, at the BDAA grounds, he added.
To a question, he said that the Government had decided to launch Statewide celebrations of Valmiki Jayanti in Bellary and had released Rs. 20 lakh for the purpose. Details of the event were yet to be finalised, he said.
Mr. Shivappa said that Valmiki Bhavan, which is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 12 crore near Cowl Bazaar, was expected to be ready by December-end. The bhavan, with seating capacity for 1,000 people, a dining hall and 10 rooms, would be made available to all sections of society to organise various programmes.
The Devaraj Urs Bhavan here was also being given a facelift at a cost of Rs. 22 lakhs, he added.
Punjab to file petition in SC on quota for Valmiki Sikhs
'Valmiki' and 'Mazhabi'
Sikhs on Sunday called off their proposed bandh on July 27 after being
assured that the Punjab government would file a petition in the Supreme
Court seeking restoration of 12.5 per cent quota for them in various
jobs and educational institutions. An assurance to this effect was given
by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to a delegation of about 200
members of 'Valmiki and Mazhabi Sikh Arakshan Bachao Morcha', and other
organizations, who called on the Chief Minister here today, an official
release said.
Badal also assured the delegation led by Vijay Danav, National President
of 'Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj Bhavadhas' that he would certainly
take up this matter with the Prime Minister and the Law Ministry for a
permanent solution.
Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, the 31-member Committee of
the morcha called off its proposed state-wide bandh on July 27.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network
http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/india/31592-punjab-file-petition-sc-quota-valmiki.html
Dwelling on the plight of
Valmikis and Mazhabi Sikhs, the Chairman of the Morcha Purshotam Chhabra
demanded wholehearted support of the state government to resolve this
issue on priority.
Badal said that the state government would leave no stone unturned to
resolve the issue and esnure the uplift of the 'Valmiki' and Mazhabi
Sikh communities in the State.
Badal said that he had already ordered closure of the ongoing process of
counselling for the recruitment of 7654 teachers in the Education
Department where Valmiki/Mazhabi Sikh applicants were not being given
their due share of 12.5 per cent reservation.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=31592
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Punjab...e1-577618.aspx
State level function on
the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti at Panipat on October 20,
2010: Jaiveer Balmiki
August 9, 2010 by
admin
Chandigarh,
Haryana Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Jaiveer Balmiki who is also
the president of ‘Bhagwan Valmiki Pragat Divas Aayojan Samiti’ today
said that the Committee has decided to organize a state level function
on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti at Panipat on October 20,
2010.
Mr. Jaiveer
who was addressing the media persons soon after presiding over a meeting
of Bhagwan Valmiki Pragat Divas Aayojan Samiti’ here said that Haryana
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda would be the chief guest in the
State level function. He said that Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti would be
celebrated throughout the country on October 22 and the committee had
decided to celebrate this as a State level function two days prior on
October 20.
Mr. Balmiki said that to organize this function successfully a committee
comprising of distinguished persons belonging to Balmiki community of
all districts would be constituted. The committee would visit each
district and invite the people to attend the function. Similarly, during
its visit the committee would also pen down the grievances of the people
of villages which would be placed before the Government for redressal.
He said that as many as 10,000 people from each district were expected
to take part in the State level function. In reply to a question Mr.
Balmiki said that education plays a pivotal role in the development of
any community and the present State Government, under the dynamic
leadership of Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, had framed a unique education
policy for the children belonging to the Balmiki community as well as
for the children of weaker sections of the society so that no child
could be left uneducated in the absence of facilities. He said that
students belonging to this community were being given monthly
scholarships. They were also being giving free text books. Apart from
this a number of ambitious schemes had been implemented for the children
of this community to get higher education.
Mr. Balmiki said that the State Government had started a scheme namely
‘Mahatma Gandhi Gramin Basti Yojna’ to provide free plots of 100 sq.
yards each to the poor people of this community. Under this scheme,
plots had already been distributed to 3,27,751 beneficiaries belonging
to Scheduled Castes, Backward Class- A and those living Below Poverty
Line (BPL). These beneficiaries included 1,22,370 families of Scheduled
Castes living below poverty line and 62,475 non BPL Scheduled Castes
families.
He said that the present State government had given such due respect to
the Balmiki community which was never given before by any previous
government. He said that Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda not only
gave five tickets to the community in the Vidhan Sabha Elections but had
also given equal participation in the government. He expressed his
gratitude to the Chief Minister for giving them due honour. On this
occasion former Minister Mr Banta Ram, former MLA Mrs. Meena Mandal, Mr.
M.L. Sarwan, Mr. M.P. Bidhlan, Mr. Raj Kumar Balmiki, Balbir Singh
Balmiki, Mr. Ramphal Lot and other distinguished members of Balmiki
community were also present.
Government neglecting SCs'
Special Correspondent
THE HINDU, Monday, May 03, 2010 | Promise of loans to jobless SC youth ignored: Mala Mahanadu | KADAPA: Mala Mahanadu State general secretary J.V. Ramana on Sunday charged the Rosaiah government with neglecting the Scheduled Caste welfare schemes conceived by former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. The government allocated Rs. 2.81 crore to Kadapa District SC Service Cooperative Society in 2009-10, but released only Rs. 1.71 crore and spent Rs. 1.10 crore, he alleged in a statement. The Government ignored YSR's promise to grant loans ranging from Rs. 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore to unemployed SC youth basing on their educational qualifications, he said. The promise to distribute land among poor SC beneficiaries on Ambedkar Jayanti was not kept up and a handful of beneficiaries was allotted land, Mr. Ramana alleged. He warned that Mala Mahanadu would launch a movement if the district administration did not identify beneficiaries identified and did not allot land to them soon. Dalits threaten conversions
Valmiki Samaj calls for ‘Bharat bandh’ tomorrow
Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service Karnal, May 2, 2010
Incensed over the failure of the government to ensure the safety of Dalits and initiate stringent action against perpetrators of atrocities in Mirchpur, the Valmiki Yuva Sabha today threatened to resort to religious conversions. The threat was held out by Dalit leaders at a protest meeting at Karan Park here to condemn the Mirchpur incident and “continued” oppression of Dalits in Haryana. Joginder Gogripur, chief of the Valmiki Yuva Mahasabha here said a “Bharat bandh” call for May 4 had been given by the Bhagwan Valmiki Aadi Dharam Samaj to protest against the burning down of Dalit houses in Mirchpur and the government inaction. He said the affected families were not ready to return to the village as they feared threat to their lives. They had refused to accept financial assistance and jobs which indicated that they wanted security and a life of dignity. Joginder critised the government for inept handling of the Mirchpur incident and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister BS Hooda on moral grounds. Alleging that there was an increase in the incidents of violence agaionst Dalits, Joginder warned that they would be left with no option but to change their religion if the government did not act. The feudal mindset was responsible for the continued injustice and atrocities on Dalits, he added. A PTI report said shocked Mirchpur Dalits had vowed not to return to the village. It said Devi, 45, along with her two sons, who are pursuing graduation, was camping at Hisar, along with at least 30 other Dalit families who had fled Mirchpur after their houses were torched. The affected families were demanding rehabilitation outside Mirchpur. Devi's polio-stricken daughter Suman and her aged husband were trapped inside their burning house when about 18 dwellings were set ablaze allegedly by members of a dominant community. The report quoted her as saying : "I have lost everything. No one can compensate my loss," said the distraught woman on the monetary relief announced by the Haryana Government to her family.” Meanwhile, BSP general secretary Man Singh Manhera says the government assurance to the affected families that they will be provided adequate security has not been backed by concrete steps. "Assurances are merely on paper. On the ground, there is a fear psychosis among the Dalit families left shaken by the gruesome incident. The burnt houses tell you the entire story," he says. Krishna Duggal, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Dhanak Samaj, says that the administration is merely providing lip service. No help is being provided to the affected families, he claims. "All 35-40 Dalit families from Mirchpur have been camping at Hisar in a temporary shelter. None has cared to come to them and listen to their problems. “In this sizzling heat, they are surviving on the food and water being provided by the Dalit organisations and some good Samaritans," Duggal says. On Thursday, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi made a surprise visit to Mirchpur and met the affected families.Congress President Sonia Gandhi shot off a letter to Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda telling him it was a "matter of shame" and that such incidents could not be allowed. Hisar Deputy Commissioner OP Sheron maintains that the administration is providing all help to the victims and trying to persuade them to return to the village. In 2005 too, dwellings of Dalits were torched in Gohana town.
NAKODAR
NEWS: Panel Agrees To Remove Valmiki Statue
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Source:
http://punjabnews.org/nakodar-news-panel-agrees-to-remove-valmiki-statue.html/
NAKODAR: Members of the
Valmiki community formed a 21member action committee on Wednesday to
hold talks with the administration on the installation of a statue of
Bhagwan Valmiki on Nagar Council land. The statue was installed in
Indira Colony of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar on Monday evening. More than 100
members of the community also took out a rally. A meeting took place
between members of the action committee, the administration and NC
officials. Committee members assured the administration that the statue
would be removed respectfully. Shahkot SDM Jasbir Singh said as per SC
orders, no shrine can be built on public’ land.
Valmiki Naiks up in arms
THE HINDU
Staff Correspondent (Online
edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 01, 2010
ePaper |
Mobile/PDA Version)
They oppose fete planned by Kurubas
Groups claim ‘ownership
rights' over Hakka, Bukka
Kuruba community wants to
celebrate ‘glorious ancestry'
BELLARY: Leaders of the
Kuruba and the Valmiki Naik communities in Bellary are now claiming
“ownership rights” over the founders of the Vijayanagar empire, Hakka
and Bukka, leading to a controversy between the groups.
Members of the Valmiki
Naik community have opposed the celebration of the 675th anniversary of
the establishment of the Vijayanagar empire, at Hampi, by members of the
Kuruba community in the second week of June.
Members of the Hospet
Taluk Valmiki Naik Sangha, on Monday, urged the district administration
not to grant permission to the Kuruba Sangha to celebrate the occasion,
as they felt Hakka and Bukka were from the Valmiki community.
The Kuruba Sangha wanted
to organise the programme on a grand scale, in celebration of their
“glorious heritage”.
Tension
Jambanahalli Venkobanna,
president of the Valmiki Naik sangha, submitted a memorandum to Deputy
Commissioner B. Shivappa and said that permitting the Kuruba Sangha to
organise the programme would only lead to tension between the two
communities, who, all along, have been living harmoniously.
According to him, there
was evidence that Hakka and Bukka belonged to the Valmiki community as
they were nephews of Kampilaraya and sons of Sangamaraya. So far, the
Kuruba community had not come out with any documentary evidence to prove
their point, Mr. Venkobanna said.
The Kuruba community
planned to celebrate the occasion on April 18, but owing to the gram
panchayat elections, it was postponed.
H.M. Revanna, former
Minister, while addressing presspersons in Bellary recently, expressed
concern over the failure of the State Government to acknowledge the
contribution of Hakka and Bukka, during the 500th anniversary
celebrations of the coronation of Sri Krishnadevarya.
Mr. Venkobanna threatened
to launch an agitation if the Kuruba community was given permission to
go ahead with the programme.
Punjab bans
textbook
The Hindu
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has banned a controversial textbook
which allegedly carried some objectionable remarks against Maharishi
Valmiki, an official spokesman said here on Monday.
There were protests in the State against the textbook, “Parag”, and
the Government ordered forfeiture of all its copies in the market as it
might hurt the sentiments of a large section of society, he said. - PTI
Swami appeals for peace
Express News Service
Posted: Thursday , May 28, 2009 at 0314 hrs IST
Founder of Bhartiya Balmiki Adi Dharm
Samaj, Swami Ratankar Maharaj today came all the way from Rishikesh to
urge the protesters to maintain peace.
Addressing the mediapersons, he said that death of Sant Ramanand was a
shocking incident, but after his death the entire episode of violence in
Punjab was uncalled for.
Ratankar Mahraj said, “All the violent activities need to be condemned
and I appeal to the entire Dalit Samaj to maintain peace because saints
always wanted peace and not violence. Even Sant Ramanand also wanted the
same.”
National co-ordinator of the Samaj, DP Khosla said that a few
anti-social elements are bringing bad name to the entire Dalit samaj. He
also urged the followers of Sant Ramanad to maintain peace. On the
occasion, Ajay Chauhan, Baba Datta Ram, Rajesh Sondhi, Sunil Khosla and
many others were present.
Mayawati seeks CBI probe into
controversial CD ('Teesri
Azadi')
India's News.Net
Wednesday 12th March, 2008 (IANS)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Mayawati Wednesday sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe
into the circulation of a controversial CD showing Lord Ram as anti-Dalit,
and maintained that her political adversaries had a hand in it.
'Since the CD titled 'Teesri Azadi' contains venomous material aimed at
forging a casteist divide in society, for which accusing fingers have
been pointed at a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MP, I took a decision to
hand over the case to the CBI,' Mayawati told a press conference here.
Interestingly, this is the seventh case in which Mayawati has
recommended a CBI probe after she assumed power 10 months ago.
While issuing directives for seizing the CD across the state, she said:
'We have already arrested three people in this connection and registered
cases against them as well as the TV channel that aired the contents of
the CD.'
The CD, claiming to be a version of Ramayana and labelled 'Teesri Azadi',
depicts Ram as being anti-Dalit and is inflammatory in nature. It also
condemned upper caste Hindus, particularly Brahmins and Thakurs. News
channel CNN-IBN showed clippings from the CD.
An organisation called Ambedkar Boudhik Sanghathan is said to have
created and circulated the CD. While BSP MP Lalmani Prasad admitted that
he was associated with the organisation, he denied he had anything to do
with the CD, as has been alleged.
The chief minister too gave Prasad a clean chit.
'I personally made inquiries from my Basti MP, Lal Mani Prasad, who
admitted his past association with the Ambedkar Boudhik Sanghathan,
which is attributed with the making the CD. But that was only well
before he joined the BSP, after which he had no association with that
organisation,' Mayawati asserted.
She also pointed fingers at her political adversaries, alleging that
they might have had a role in making the CD.
'Since preliminary inquiries have revealed that the CD has been in
circulation for the past few years, I have reason to believe that the
past governments under the Congress, Samajwadi Party (SP) and Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) had some hand in preparing the CD,' she said.
'If they were not behind this controversial CD, then why was no action
initiated by any of these government?' she asked.
'My political opponents - Congress, BJP and SP - have started resorting
to such dirty tactics ever since they found that members of the upper
caste too were coming into the BSP fold,' she alleged.
'These parties were only interested in misguiding the upper castes by
playing such divisive politics.
'Today, they all may be trying to brand BSP as casteist, but then they
must answer why they aligned with us at different points of time,' she
said, while specifying the periods when the Congress, BJP and Samajwadi
Party had struck political deals with her party.
CD row: FIR against
private news channel ('Teesri
Azadi')
Basti | Wednesday, Mar 12 2008 IST
Police have lodged an FIR
against three people, associated with a private news channel, in
connection with the controversial CD named ''Teesri Azadi'' episode
here.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Sanjeev Gupta today said the FIR was
lodged against Salabh Mani Tripathi, Abhishek Upadhyay and manager of
the channel late last night in Harraiya police station. The police
station in-charge had been given the charge of the probe.
Besides, District Magistrate Saurabh Babu has asked Additional District
Magistrate to inquire into the matter.
Yesterday, the police had seized the CD from the house of Shivakant, the
organising secretary of Bauddh Vihar. Besides him, Anil Tiwari and
Ramfal Maurya were also nabbed from the spot.
The CD contained objectionable remarks on Lord Ram and Krishna that mars
the religious sentiments of Hindus.
'Divine forces' drive
man to behead father
15 Mar 2008, 0215 hrs IST,Medha Chaturvedi,TNN
NEW DELHI: Thursday was
Jitendra Singh's first day in a temple. He had a strange errand. He had
to "present" his father's severed head to the deity.
The 24-year-old beheaded his 65-year-old father on "the orders of divine
forces" or so he told the police several hours later. Jitendra, who had
initially been detained for going on the rampage inside a temple, was
finally arrested on Friday morning when his sister discovered their
father's decapitated body inside their home in Nabi Kareem area of
Paharganj.
Jitendra who easily admitted his crime, saying that he beheaded his
father because god asked him to do so, however broke down during
interrogation when the enormity of his crime apparently hit him. "He
seems to have just realised that he has killed his own father and is
continuously saying, 'I am guilty, hang me'. Though he has confessed to
"sacrificing" his father, we are not ruling out other angles," said DCP
(central) Alok Kumar.
Here's how the bizarre human drama unfolded. Around 3.30 pm on Thursday,
the residents of Valmiki Mandir lane and the temple priest, Madan Lal,
informed the police that Jitendra was causing damages to the temple by
breaking structures inside. The accused was then picked up for
questioning.
The next day, around 6 am, Jitendra's elder sister Guddo went to check
on their father, Kartar Singh, and found his beheaded body inside the
house. "I work as a sweeper nearby and came home for a glass of water
when I saw this," said Guddo. Her other sisters — Rekha and Meenu — are
also married and stay close by.
When Guddo called up the police, they interrogated Jitendra and he
confessed to "sacrificing" his father to appease the gods. The kitchen
knife used to behead the old man is yet to be recovered. Jitendra had
apparently taken his father's head, wrapped in a black cloth, to Valmiki
Mandir and kept it inside a cupboard. Shortly afterwards, he had started
ransacking the temple. The priest, Madan Lal, said this was perhaps the
first time that the youth had visited the temple.
According to neighbours, the father-son duo hardly interacted with
anyone. Jitendra was a school dropout and unemployed. "We saw his father
at times, but Jitendra used to mostly stay at home. He was probably
suffering from a mental ailment," said one of them. The DCP, however,
said the accused didn't appear to be mentally unstable. "We do feel he
is emotionally unstable though as the realisation of his actions is
slowly dawning upon him," Kumar added. The deceased was a former class
IV railway employee.
Jitendra's mother Kamla, who lives with her elder son Rakesh at
Roopnagar, said her son has never claimed to be "possessed" before. The
family was also not aware if he ever practised black magic. The police
said Jitendra got married about nine months back, but his wife allegedly
left him because he was unemployed and used to beat her at times.
IAF officers booked for aide's
murder
24 Feb 2008, 0249 hrs IST,IP Singh and Vishal Sharma,TNN
ADAMPUR/CHANDIGARH: In a
shocking controversy that has singed the Indian Air Force, two officers,
Wing Commander Bharat Kumar and Flight Lieutenant MR Maurya, posted at
the Adampur air force station, were booked by the Jalandhar police on
Saturday on charges of murdering a civilian employee. IAF authorities,
however, said it was a case of suicide. An FIR has been registered
following allegations of death due to torture even as the post mortem
report is awaited.
What has compounded problems for the IAF and its two officers is the
fact that the victim, 26-year-old Sachin Bahri, belongs to the Valmiki
community. Soon after news of the incident broke out at about 7 am in
the morning, a large crowd gathered outside the Air Force station and
protesters along with grieving family members staged daylong
demonstrations.
Sachin's father Gobind Ram, who is a clerk with the IAF at the same
station, said, "I went to the Air Force station to enquire about my son
at around 10.30 pm on Friday. But I was sent back by the two officers
who said an enquiry was on against my son in an embezzlement case."
IAF officers
booked for murder of Balmiki civilian worker
24 Feb 2008, 0015 hrs IST,TNN
ADAMPUR/CHANDIGARH: Two IAF
officers, Wing Commander Bharat Kumar and Flight Lieutenant M R Maurya,
posted at the Adampur Air Force Station, were booked by the Jalandhar
police on Saturday on charges of murdering a civilian employee.
IAF authorities, however, said it was a case of suicide. An FIR has been
registered following allegations of death due to torture even as the
postmortem report is awaited. What has compounded problems for the IAF
and its two officers is
the fact that the victim, 26-year-old Sachin Bahri, belongs to the
Valmiki (Dalit) community.
Soon after news of the incident broke out around 7 am, a large crowd
gathered outside the Air Force station and protesters along with
grieving family members staged day-long demonstrations.
Sachin's father Gobind Ram, who is a clerk with the IAF at the same
station, said, "I went to the Air Force station to enquire about my son
around 10.30 pm on Friday. But I was sent back by the two officers who
said an inquiry was on against my son in an embezzlement case. My son
had been married for just 20 days."
Early next morning, Gobind Ram received a call from Maurya that his son
had died. Air Force station commander Group Captain P W Ambekar,
however, dismissed the allegations of torture. He told TOI that Sachin,
employed at the officers' mess and assigned the work of accountant on
merit, committed suicide.
"He was facing an inquiry for an alleged misappropriation of Rs 1.17
lakh," he added.
Seven give up in
arson case
Tribune News Service
Faridabad, January 8
Seven persons of a community, accused of setting two houses of Balmiki
families on fire in Neemka village, near here, late on Sunday night,
today surrendered before the police.
The Gujjar community in the village has raised money and compensated
the families whose houses were burnt.
The incident had led to tension between the two communities in the
village.
The seven accused surrendered in the presence of Ballabgarh SDM
Harish Chand Jain. Confirming the surrender, Jain said the Gujjar
community had arranged financial help for the affected families.
The family whose house was gutted was given a sum of Rs 1.4 lakh
while the family whose house was partially burnt got a sum of Rs 40,000.
Another family whose house was damaged due to throwing of bricks was
given Rs 5,000.
Jain said the 11-member committees, one each from the two
communities, reported to him this morning regarding the compensation and
surrender by the accused.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the solution, he added.
Balmiki XI wins
cricket title
Abohar, January 20
Bhagwan Balmiki XI won the four week-long cricket tournament ‘Chak de
Abohar’ by defeating Jai Ambe XI on the concluding day.
Speaking on the occasion, local legislator Sunil Jakhar said that in
all, 50 budding players, 25 each from rural and urban areas, would be
trained free of charge. The Sports Authority of India and the department
of sports, Punjab, must come forward in releasing grants for promoting
sports, he added.
Abohar Cricket and Welfare Club president S.K. Goyal, HMCA principal
Rajinder Girdhar, Consumer Movement chairman Sat Pal Khariwal, stage
director Vikas Batra and other members of the tournament managing
committee were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar agreed to sponsor the
cricket academy to promote sports in this sub-division and distributed
gym kits in 33 villages besides giving sports kits to rural sports
clubs. — OC
Cop among six injured in clashes between
2 groups
Express news service
Posted online: Tuesday , March 04, 2008 at 12:39:31
Updated: Tuesday , March 04, 2008 at 12:59:58 Print Email To Editor Post
Comments
Ludhiana, March 3 Tension gripped the Habibganj area near Civil
Hospital on Sunday evening when six people, including a police
constable, were hurt in a clash between two groups. The two groups,
reportedly the Sansi and the Valmiki, pelted each other with stones.
Three people have sustained serious injuries.
On Monday afternoon, too, there was a clash between the two groups.
However, no one was hurt during the clash today.
Events took an ugly turn during a clash between two Sansi factions.
According to information available, two youths from the Sansi community
had got into a tiff with each other over lottery stalls and it turned
violent.
Some of the stones and bricks landed on the premises of a Valmiki temple
in the area. Members of the Valmiki community stepped in and retaliated
by pelting members of the Sansi community with stones.
Both the sides threw stones, bricks and bottles at each other and
created a furore till police and senior members of the community
intervened.
Meanwhile, police tried to diffuse the tension and asked the members of
the two communities to reach a compromise and summoned them to the
police station on Monday afternoon.
No compromise, however, has been reached so far and the situation in the
area is still tense.
Police have not registered against anyone till now
Valmiki Jayanti
CM doles out sops for Dalits
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, October
26
With an increasing possibility of mid-term parliamentary polls, the
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal utilised the birth anniversary
of Maharshi Valmiki for wooing the Dalit voters by announcing a bagful
of sops for them.
The religious
function seemed more as a pre-election rally with the CM announcing Rs
one crore for a Valmiki bhawan, Rs 12 crore for reconstruction of pucca
houses, Rs 5 lakh for instituting a state-level poet award in the name
of Valmiki. He also promised position of a community representative in
the board, opening up of adarsh school for poor and starting a new skill
centre with Larson and Toubro for imparting vocational training to the
youth.
“You have voted us
back to the power. We are bound to support you for your community’s
development. I would have been behind bars if you had not helped me”, he
lambasted the previous Congress government.
After a long
discussion with the Adhi Dharam Samaj Darshan chief Ram Rattan, with
whom he was sitting on the stage, the CM came on the dais and announced,
“I assure you a grant of Rs one crore for the bhawan”. He gave the
break-up, “I wish to dole out Rs 50 lakh from my own funds, Rs 5 lakh
each from the five MLAs sitting here and at least Rs 15 lakh from Rajya
Sabha member Naresh Gujral.”
“The poet award,
carrying cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, will be given to the deserving poet in
Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu or English. There will be a high-level committee
for screening the suitable candidate,” the CM added.
Over the
long-pending demand of the representatives on dissolution of mohalla
sanitation committees, Badal said, “It has just been brought to my
notice. I have asked the local bodies minister to send across the file.
It will take another 10 to 15 days for me to decide on the matter. But
it will be done soon.”
It was perhaps not
easy for the CM to bear the anguish of some Valmiki leaders as Vijay
Danav, a prominent activist, spoke from the stage. “Your officials do
not give us any hearing and we often face a lot of discrimination. We
are either not given time or told to wait for long hours. Why these
differences?” he questioned publicly as the SSP, DC and a bunch of
officials stood close.
Samaj chief Ram
Rattan said, “People from our community working as sewer man risk their
lives daily. Ever since they have been employed by the MCs, only three
men have retired till date. The rest passed away before attaining the
age of their superannuation either due to accidents or illness”.
He said, “The
governments have never been serious regarding accidental deaths of sewer
men.” Demanding a judicial inquiries of such cases he asked registration
of complaints against the officials responsible for sewer men deaths”.
Akali MLA’s relative shoots youth
100 vehicles damaged, shops
looted
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October
26
Killing of a youth belonging to a particular community by a close
relative of an Akali MLA on the eve of Valmiki Diwas triggered off
wide-spread violence here today. Protesters pelted a police station with
stones, looted and damaged 100 vehicles in various parts of the city.
They also damaged a petrol station belonging to the MLA near the police
station.
The youth was
killed in a road scuffle in the wee hours near Hathi Gate when Harjinder
Singh Gill, alias Bonny Gill, owner of Gill Farms, opened fire killing
one Shanker Dass on the spot. Bonny Gill, a close relative of Akali MLA
Raminder Singh Bolaria, fled after the incident in his luxury car along
with a companion. People noted down the number of his vehicle and told
the same to the police.
District police
chief Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh said the assailant was identified on the
basis of the number of the vehicle by getting it verified from the
District Transport Office, which was got opened even before the regular
time.
The relatives of
the deceased were timely informed about the identity of the accused
after registering a case against him.
However, some
political persons allegedly “provoked” the relatives of the deceased
with a view to taking political mileage out of it. The agitated
relatives went to D division police station and started pelting its
building with stones. They also damaged the petrol pump of the Akali MLA
situated near the police station.
The political
leaders, mostly from the Congress, sought the immediate arrest of the
Akali MLA. However, Bolaria (Akali MLA) said though Bonny Gill was his
close relative, he would like law to take its own course. He criticised
the opening of fire on the youth by his relative. He, however, urged his
political opponents not to vitiate the peace of the city by exploiting
the sentiments of the people for political ends.
Sources said the
trouble started when the scooter of the deceased collided with the
vehicle of Bonny Gill, who was on his way to his house in the late
evening. Bonny shot him dead.
The agitating
youths, brandishing unsheathed swords, also attacked vehicles parked
outside the cremation ground. The old, young and even children were not
spared.
The police also
suspected the role of an SP from
Amritsar,
who allegedly fomented trouble. The agitating youths also looted many
shops in the Hall Bazaar and other bazaars of the city. Shopkeepers
downed shutters following looting.
Deputy
commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said the administration had constituted a
five-member committee of the shopkeepers to assess the damage caused due
to looting of their shops in the city.
Later, the
relatives of the deceased sat on a dharna outside the police station
with the body. The police and the local administration had a tough time
to persuade them to cremate the body late in the evening.
It may be
mentioned here that on October 22 last year a similar type of violence
had erupted following the killing of two youths in Angarh belonging to
the same community. This had triggered off wide-spread violence when the
youths went around smashing vehicles, attacking buildings, including a
private hospital, thereby creating panic in the city.
Meanwhile, more police force was requisitioned to handle the violent
mob. Life in many parts of the city was paralysed throughout the day.
Valmikis riot in
Amritsar, protest road
rage killing
Amritsar,
Oct 26 : Agitating members of the Valmiki community went on a rampage
here Friday following the killing of a youth from the community Thursday
night in a road rage incident.
Several vehicles, shops and other establishments were damaged
by the mob in the Hall Bazaar and nearby commercial areas.
The agitating mob was protesting the killing of Shankar by Harjinder
Singh Bony, a relative of the ruling Akali Dal legislator Raminder Singh
Bolaria.
Bony had allegedly fired at Shankar from close range after their
vehicles collided Thursday night.
The shopkeepers downed their shutters and later protested that the local
police failed to react to the situation that allowed the Valmiki
community to riot for a few hours.
The protesters demanded that a case of murder be filed against Bony.
The
Amritsar police later registered a case against
Bony and also booked some youth who led the violent protest.
--- IANS
Balmiki remembered
Fatehgarh Sahib,
October 26
Punjab minister for animal husbandry and dairy farming Gujral Singh
Ranike, while addressing a gathering of the followers of Bhagwan Balmiki,
today said he was the symbol of morality.
Balmiki was a
great philosopher who authored ‘Ramayana’, a great Indian epic, he
added.
He exhorted the
people to adopt the philosophy of morality and humanity in their lives
so that a harmonious society could be created.
Chief
parliamentary secretary Raj Khurana said Bhagwan Balmiki provided
mankind with elaborate guidelines to lead a good life. Sirhind MLA Didar
Singh Bhatti also spoke on the occasion. — TNS
Balmiki jayanti celebrated
Our Correspondent
Ludhiana, October
26
The birthday of Maharishi Balmiki was celebrated with traditional
fervour here today. Balmiki temples in different parts of the city were
decorated and the devotees sang religious hymns and 'bhajans' all
through the day.
Several religious
and social organisations held 'bhandaras' and 'langars' and cultural
programmes were organised to pay tributes to the deity.
The members of
Balmiki community took out an impressive shobha yatra last
evening.Comprising of several hundred tractor trollies, the shobha yatra
comprised of dancing troupes, tableaux depicting scenes from the epic 'ramayana'.
Devotees
accompanying the shobha yatra recited bhajan and kirtan to pay tributes
to Maharishi Balmiki.
The activists of
Bhartiya Balmiki Dharam Samaj along with many residents and traders
accorded rousing welcome to the shobha yatra on the entire route.
Valmiki jayanti celebrated
Tribune
Reporters
Hisar, October 26
Former Chief Minister
Om Parkash Chautala said today that whenever the Congress was
in power, the poorest sections of society had to suffer the most.
Addressing a
function organised on Valmiki jayanti here he said prices had gone out
of control and farmers were forced to agitate to sell their produce. As
a result, the poor were suffering while there was hardly any effect on
rich businessmen whom the Congress backed.
Chautala said the
nuke deal should be discussed openly and in Parliament also. He said
while the benefit of power might come after 20 years, the country would
become subservient to US interests the moment the deal was signed.
He criticised
Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda for holding a function to mark
Valmiki jayanti at his official residence. He said this should have been
organised with people’s participation.
Rajya Sabha MP
Tarlochan Singh, former ministers Subhash Goyal and M. L. Ranga were
among those who addressed the function.
Fatehabad:
Valmiki jayanti was celebrated with fervour here on Friday.
Several functions
were organised in the town to mark the occasion.
The main function
was held in Valmiki Dharamshala, where a religious congregation was
organised.Prominent leaders of the community attended the function.
Later, a religious
procession was held in the town.
In another
function, a jagran was held at the local Majra road.
Valmiki jayanti
was also celebrated at
Kidzee
School
on the local Bhattu Road.
Yamunanagar:
A shobha yatra was taken out by the Bhagwan Valimiki mandir committee,
Mahadev colony, in the twin towns of Yamunanagar and Jagadhri on the
occasion of Valmiki prakat divas here on Friday.
Several programmes
were organised in the district to mark the occasion.The Bhagwan Valimiki
mandir committee, Purana Hamida, held a bhajan-kirtan programme.
A mehndi
competition was organised at Ganpati educational institute in Bilaspur
in which more than 150 students participated. The Eklavya Club of
Mustafabad organised a painting competition to mark the occasion.
Hooda greets
people on Valmiki Jayanti
Chandigarh | Thursday, Oct 25 2007 IST
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has greeted the people
on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti.
In a message here today, he described Maharishi Valmiki as a great
saint who authored Ramayana which had been inspiring the humanity since
ages.
He said the real tribute to Maharishi Valmiki on his Jayanti would be
to take a pledge to create a casteless society and strengthen the
national integration.
-- (UNI) -- 25DR34.xml
Valmiki Jayanti greetings from DPCC
NEW DELHI:
Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president J. P. Agarwal on Thursday
extended his greetings to the people of Delhi on the occasion of
Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti.
He said that
Maharishi Valmiki, author of the oldest and unrivalled epic Ramayan, was
revered not just by one sect or religious group but by all as his
moorings were firmly rooted in the culture and traditions of the
country.
Valmiki Jayanti celebrated with religious
fervour
Chandigarh,
Oct 26: Valmiki Jayanti was celebrated with religious fervour and
enthusiasm in Punjab, Haryana and
Chandigarh
Union Territory today.
Prayer meetings, colourful processions and religious
discourses marked the celebrations in the region.
Speakers
at various functions, organised on the occasion, eulogised the message
of Maharishi Valmiki, the author of epic holy 'Ramayana', who preached
simple living with high moral character.
They exhorted people to follow the teachings of Maharishi Valmiki which
were more relevant today.
The Governors and Chief Ministers of
Punjab,
Haryana and Himachal Pradesh have extended their greetings to the people
on the occasion.
--- UNI
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 (00:51:53)
VHP to launch ‘Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ on ‘Ram Setu’
Ayodhya: A ‘Jan Jagran Abhiyan’ (public awareness
movement) to apprise people about ‘Ram Setu’ will be launched under the
aegis of ‘Rameshwaram Ram Setu Raksha Manch’ from September 27, a Vishwa
Hindu Parishad (VHP) activist said on Monday. “Tableau of Ram Setu,
Rameshwaram, Valmiki Ramayan would be taken out throughout the country
as part of the abhiyan and Ram bhakts would be asked to take pledge for
saving Ram Setu during the various meetings,” VHP media in-charge Sharad
Sharma said after a meeting of Ram Setu Raksha Manch. As per the
programme, rallies, exhibitions and yatras would be taken out from
September 27 to apprise the people with the “reality” while on October
25, recitations of ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ would be held in villages,
monasteries and temples, Sharma said.
On October 26, ‘Valmiki Jayanti’, meetings would be
organised, he said. Joint general secretary of the VHP, Champat Rai, who
attended the meeting, said Ram Setu should be conserved as national
heritage and there was a need to educate people of its importance. “A
memorandum signed by 34 lakh Rambhakts had been handed over to the
former president demanding halt to the destruction of Ram Setu but to no
avail,” he said. (PTI)
http://www.headlinesindia.com/archive_html/25September2007_57572.html
‘Nobody has proved that Ram did not exist’September 25, 2007 Vishwa
Hindu Parishad General Secretary Praveen Togadia talks to Nistula Hebbar
on Ram, the Ram Sethu and the VHP-Bharatiya Janata Party relationship.
You have raised the Ram Sethu issue in the past, but your point of view
has got a boost because of the government’s
controversial affidavit, rather
than the movement itself?Our movement has got a boost from the faith of
the people, not from anything that the government has done to undermine
Ram. The government may have precipitated matters by its blasphemous
affidavit, but the underlying anger among the people was there to begin
with. The media was not aware of the movement but people have supported
us fully. What do you say to people who say that Ram is a mythical
character and that he never existed?According to rationalists, anything
that cannot be proven does not exist. Therefore, since God’s existence
has not been proven, he too does not exist. I want to ask them: Has it
been proven that God does not exist? So, why are you so eager to believe
that God does not exist? To compare the history of Islam or Christianity
to that of Hinduism is not fair. Those are products of fairly young
civilisations, not like Hinduism, which is a product of the oldest
living civilisation in the world. You have said that the government has
deliberately filed a blasphemous affidavit in court. Why?The government
filed that affidavit on September 11 and the VHP organised a
chakka jam (road blockade)
on September 12. Had the affidavit been filed by mistake, the government
would have withdrawn it immediately. Instead, after it realised that it
had offended Hindus beyond breaking point, it had to withdraw the
affidavit. This clearly illustrates the intentions of the government.
The National Democratic Alliance government initiated the Ram Sethu
project. Don’t you think you should protest against them as well?The NDA
government had not approved the project, and I refuse to believe that it
would. They, like us, have not been against the (Ram Sethu) canal, but
against a channel. We too are not opposed to the project per se, but the
destruction of the Ram Sethu. We are for a land route which will save
the Ram Sethu. If there are alternative routes, we too are in favour of
the project. What about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s
remarks on the veracity of Ram and his engineering degree? What about
attacks on his family?Karunanidhi is a known atheist, so there is no
surprise if he denies the existence of Ram. The people of Tamil Nadu
will give a fitting reply to his words as Ram’s appeal cuts across caste
and regional lines. As for the attacks on him and the Tamil Nadu state
transport bus, no VHP worker was involved. Someone engineered the
attacks to discredit us. Ours is a peaceful movement. Even during the
September 12 chakka jam,
there was no violence. There are other issues people have against the
Ram Sethu, like the destruction of marine ecology and the plight of
fishermen in the area. Why aren’t you highlighting them? We are and
what’s more, the fishermen at Rameshwaram and Dhanushkodi, among them
Hindus, Muslims and Christians, are supporting us. I have met many of
them and even the communist party-led fishermen’s union is opposing the
Ram Sethu project. You have said that this movement will not depend on
other organisations. Are you going to keep it a VHP-specific movement?
This is not a VHP-specific movement. Over 40 Hindu organisations and
many others have joined us in this movement. This is a movement for
Hindus across the country. Is the BJP a part of this Hindu coalition?
There has been some talk about you not wanting the BJP to join in,
looking at the way the Ram Janmabhoomi panned out, with the NDA
government not doing much to build a temple at Ram Janmabhoomi. Well, it
is up to the BJP to decide whether it is a Hindu party or not, how can
we decide for them? All Hindu-minded organisations are free to join us.
The question of them joining the movement starts from there. For this, I
am afraid you will have to direct your question to the BJP, not to me.
What if people like Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, with whom your
relations are not among the best, use the Ram Sethu issue at election
rallies. Would you say he is politicising it? Narendra Modi or whoever
talks about the Ram Sethu issue, whether on a political platform or
otherwise, will have to examine his own motivations for doing so. For
us, Ram is a matter of faith, he cannot be a political issue. But that
is our stand. I cannot tell you why he will speak of the Ram Sethu, I
only know what motivates me. Much has been said about Ram as God, a man
or a historical figure. What is your belief? For me, Ram is God, a man
and a historical figure. I am a practising Hindu, a believer and this
comes out of my convictions. As I said earlier, rationalists only
believe what can be proven. Well, nobody has proved that Ram did not
exist. What crores of people believe and have believed over centuries
has not been convincingly disproven. People said that Krishna did not
exist, then what about the submerged Dwarka city that scientists have
discovered? What are you going to do to take this forward? From
September 28 to October 10, we will be asking Hindus and Hindu
organisations from all districts across India to spread the movement,
carrying with them copies of the Ramayana, the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga
and illustrations of the Ram Sethu. It will be like the Ram Shila
movement all over again, with a massive mobilisation of people from all
over the country. What is the scope of this movement? Do you think that
it will be as big as the movement over the Ram temple in Ayodhya?
Yes. This is going to be huge, as big as the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
Our motivation and zeal are as they were during that time and the people
also appear to be with us on this.
Log jag gaye hain (people
have awakened). This issue will have major implications on the politics
and future of the country just as the Ram Janmabhoomi movement had.
Fattu Dhinga to get flying school, says Upinderjit
Tribune News
Service
Kapurthala,
October 26
Presiding over Valmiki Jayanti function here today, Punjab civil
aviation and education minister Upinderjit Kaur announced the opening of
a flying school at Fattu Dhinga village here.
The minister
said the state government was looking for a suitable site stretching up
to 100 acres of land. “We had sent a proposal with the availability of
50 acres of land for the purpose but the central aviation ministry has
pointed out that 100 acres of land was a per-requisite for setting up of
a proper runway. We plan to set up the centre for training the aspiring
pilots. An air hostess training academy will also be launched soon
after,” she declared. The minister said the PWD minister, Parminder
Singh Dhindsa, would lay the foundation stone of bridges across Kali
Bein at Didwindi and Ratta Nauabad villages tomorrow which would come up
at an estimated cost of Rs three crore each.
Balmiki
Dharam Samaj burnt effigies of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan
Protests
against SRK, KBC & Star
![[]](http://by120fd.bay120.hotmail.msn.com/img/trans.gif) http://entertainment.oneindia.in/movies/bollywood/news/srk-kbc-080207.html
By: Abid, IndiaFM
Thursday, February 08, 2007
According to reports, the 'Valmiki' organizations affiliated to a
political party, protested against the anchor Shah
Rukh Khan of the top TV
show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', the
show itself and Star Television,
in Hoshiarpur (Punjab) on Tuesday.
The protests were against some reported remarks by SRK against Valmiki
ji (where he merely repeated what the contestant had said). The
protestors also burnt an effigy of the actor.
As is known, the assembly elections are round the corner in Punjab and
the Bahujan Samaj Party has a reasonable presence in the state and the 'Valmiki'
population is their traditional vote bank and every little opportunity
is being exploited by other political parties to win them over.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Political
protests against SRK, KBC & Star - Indiafm
http://www.nrilinks.com/news/n/2/47454.aspx
According to reports, the 'Valmiki' organizations
affiliated to a political party, protested against the anchor Shah Rukh
Khan of the top TV show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', the show itself and
Star Television, in Hoshiarpur (Punjab) on Tuesday
The protests were against some reported remarks by SRK against Valmiki
ji (where he merely repeated what the contestant had said). The
protestors also burnt an effigy of the actor.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remarks against
Balmiki put SRK in dock
Press Trust of India
Posted online: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 at 2041 hours
IST
Updated: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 0943 hours IST
Hoshiarpur, February 6:
Activists of the Bhartiya Balmiki Dharam Samaj burnt effigies of
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and the director of Star Plus TV channel
to show their resentment against the alleged derogatory remarks made
against Maharishi Balmiki in Kaun Banega Crorepati programme.
While compering a recent programme of KBC-2 on the entertainment
channel, the actor had allegedly made some remarks against Balmiki which
the community described as derogatory and having hurt their religious
sentiments.
The activists want a written apology to the Balmiki Samaj from Khan and
the channel, its President Hans Raj said.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A joke on KBC
lands SRK in a mess
ibnlive.com
Posted Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 15:39
Updated Wednesday, February 07, 2007 at 17:22
New Delhi:
SRK’s remarks on Maharishi Balmiki on TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati
has landed him in a fresh controversy. Activists of a religious group
— Bhartiya Balmiki Dharam Samaj — on Wednesday burnt effigies of
Khan and the director of Star Plus to show their resentment against the
derogatory remarks.
The community described his comments as “derogatory” and claims that
they have “hurt their religious sentiments.” The activists have even
demanded a written apology from Khan and the channel, its president Hans
Raj said.
Going by the Television Audience Measurement (TAM) ratings, a lot of
people haven't liked SRK as a replacement to the previous show anchor
— Bollwood star Amitabh Bachchan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Remarks
against Balmiki puts SRK in dock - Express
India
http://news.sulekha.com/newsitemdisplay.aspx?cid=412801&cat=
Activists of the Bhartiya Balmiki Dharam Samaj
burnt effigies of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and the director of Star
Plus TV channel to show their resentment against the alleged derogatory
remarks made against Maharishi Balmiki in Kaun Banega Crorepati
programme. While compering a recent programme of KBC-2 on the
entertainment channel, the actor had allegedly made some remarks against
Balmiki which the community described as derogatory and having hurt
their religious sentiments.
CM launches 2nd
phase of yatra
Dullo, Bhattal decide to stay away
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061123/punjab1.htm
Attari/ Chogawan, November 22
Blowing the trumpet for the upcoming battle of the ballot here, Chief
Minister Amarinder Singh today sought the blessings of the Almighty for
achieving victory. He mingled with the people and ate in the houses of
Dalits.
Though it was a moderate gathering in Attari at the time of the
launching of the second phase of the Vikas Yatra, he received a good
response when he reached their remote village.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said the tremendous
response to the yatra in the Malwa belt would be repeated in the Doaba
region.
PPCC president Shamsher Singh Dullo said the yatra was bound to be
successful.
Earlier, Capt Amarinder Singh along with Mr Jagjit Singh and Mr
Sardul Singh paid obeisance at the Ram Tirath temple. At many places, he
was honoured with swords and siropas.
Answering a question, Capt Amarinder Singh said PPS officers would be
posted as district police chiefs in non-cadre districts.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included DCC president
(Amritsar Rural) Sukhjinderraj Singh Lali, Mandi Board Chairman
Sukhbinder Singh Sukhsarkaria, Ajnala MLA Harpartap Singh Ajnala, Beas
MLA Jasbir Singh Dimpa and Mr Vijay Singla, state president of the Youth
Congress.
The infighting in the Congress comes to the fore during the second
leg of the Vikas Yatra as Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has equated
firebrand Congress leader Jagmeet Singh Brar with Mr Simranjit Singh
Mann, president, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar).
Answering a query by mediapersons here today, Capt Amarinder Singh
said he had decided not to entertain any question regarding Mr Mann and
Mr Brar.
Interestingly, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo had attended the function at
Muktsar yesterday on the invitation of Jagmeet Brar and his supporters.
On the other hand, Mr Dullo, president, Punjab Pradesh Congress
Committee, and Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, attended
the “ardas” at the “smadh” of Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala here today to
mark the launching of the second leg of the yatra. However, both leaders
stayed away from the yatra.
Mr B.I.S. Chahal, Media Adviser to the Chief Minister, claimed that
Mr Dullo and Ms Bhattal could not accompany the Chief Minister due to
some problems.
However, the Chief Minister claimed that the party was united and it
would win the coming Assembly elections with a thumping majority.
Answering a question, he claimed that there was no tainted MLA in the
party. However, he hastened to add that the “weak” MLAs would be
replaced.
Interestingly, Mr Om Parkash Soni , an independent MLA , Mr Sunil
Dutti and Mr Raman Baxi held three functions on the Wagah road to
receive the Vikas Yatra.
Answering yet another question, Capt Amarinder Singh said Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi would visit the
state before the elections.
Ravana temple at
Jodhpur
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061123/main7.htm
Jodhpur, November 22
In this north Indian city of the Hindu heartland where Lord Rama is the
main deity, a temple dedicated to demon king Ravana is being built by
his descendants.
This will be first such temple in north India. The town is considered
to be Mandodari's, Ravana's wife, native place.
It is believed that Queen Mandodari hailed from Mandore, which was
the ancient capital of Jodhpur state. And a 'chhatri' (umbrella) named 'chavri'
still stands here, claimed to be the place for Ravana-Mandodari
marriage.
The Ravana temple is being built in Mahadev Amarnath and Navgrah
temple premises in city's Chandpole area where idols of Ravana's main
deities Shiva and Devi Kharanna stand. The temple premise will house a
Ravana temple having idols of Ravana and his family members. — UNI
Serial RAVANA on ZEE TV
New Delhi: A new television series
called Ravan, on Zee TV, has for the first time, begun providing
a sympathetic view of the life of mythological figure Ravan in popular
entertainment. The serial focuses on the different aspects of Ravan’s
life and his personality. Ravan has always been the villain in the
popular consciousness - the flawed polar opposite of Maryada
Purushottom or Lord Ram.
However, in Tamil Nadu, Ravan has been seen
as a symbol of Dravidian pride and Southern non-Sanskritic hero as
compared to the northern Hindi-speaking Ram. There are several Ravan
temples in the South and the first in north India is already being built
in Rajasthan.
The topic of discussion on Face the
Nation this time was - Is it wrong to see Ravan as a villain?
On the panel were the actor who plays Ravan
in the TV series Ravan, Naren Jha, the producer of Ravan,
Gulshan Sachdev, professor of history, A R Venkatachalapati and
historian, Puroshottom Agarwal.
Does Ravan need an image makeover?
Ravan is a hero (or a villain) who has an
image problem. He is essentially an epic gangster. So what motivated
Gulshan Sachdev to produce the serial?
"Actually the Ravan war itself is very
exciting. If you mention the word to any Indian they will get excited. I
never thought that I would make a serial on Ravan. I got a message from
Zee TV one day where Aswhini was programming with a business head and he
asked me whether I was interested to make a serial on Ravan. I was
excited and after thinking for all of 10 seconds I said, ‘why not?’,"
said Gulshan Sachdev.
So how does Naren Jha feel when he plays
Ravan? Is there an inner Ravan within within him?
"I really don't think that there is a Ravan
within me for I don’t think that I am that strong and that big. I always
considered Ravan to have a larger than life image and he was really a
scholarly man. He has so many qualities that I don’t have. And
definitely making an attempt to play his character gives me a lot of
pleasure and excitement," said Jha.
So how is Ravan being presented in the
serial? Is he a a sympathetic character or is he a kind of a
mythological don from Ramayan?
"The serial is about the normal life journey
of Ravan, about how he comes from nowhere when he started his initial
journey of life. Being a person from an ordinary family, he chalked out
his strategy to become the great man that he was," explained Jha.
Jha added that he was not wearing all the
ten heads that symboilise Ravan in the serial. He explained that there
was in fact an interesting story behind the 10 heads. "He used to wear a
mani ki mala which reflected his 10 heads and people used to
think that he has 10 heads. It was the reflection of the mala
that made him a Scandhar (ten-headed man).
Sanskrit
scholar assails Punjab Govt on literary award
S.D. Sharma
Chandigarh, July 18
Strange though it may seem, it is a known fact that one of the just
announced Sahit Shiromani Awards — 2005 has been conferred on a
scholar who has not authored a single book in Sanskrit, though credited
with over a dozen works in Hindi. The recipient, Dr Manjula Sahdev, when
contacted, however, maintained that her books in Hindi had been written
with in-depth study based on the original Sanskrit literature.
Reiterating her view she disclosed that her prime contribution in Hindi
‘Valmiki Ramayan Evan Sanskrit Natkon mein Ram’ is the outcome of
114 Sanskrit dramas. Similary, ‘Maharishi Valmik- Ek Samikshaand
Adhyayan’ is based on Vedantic scriptures. ‘Bhagwan Mahavir — life
and teachings, Hindi Poetry Anant Ki oar’ mahraja Valmiki ke Updesh
and many others had been published in Hindi and Punjabi as well. She
claims to have projected the grandeur of the Sanskrit language to
international eminence through seminars and her papers.
But there are not many to subscribe to her view as the erudite
Sanskrit scholar Dr Shashi Dhar Sharma says “With the patronage of the
central and state governments for the promotion and propagation of
literature, award money has been increased manifold to the extent of Rs
5 lakh in many cases but the government’s endeavour seems to be not
yielding desired results.
He rued that the incompetent dummy scholars had, in fact, intruded
into the system. Be it the imparting of education or propagation of the
literature. The Sanskrit language is not a profitable venture, there are
not many to admire its poetic and spiritual levels, thus remaining
bereft of the elegance and felicity of its rich heritage.
Dr Shashi Dhar, credited with over 25 literary creations in Sanskrit
expressed concern, “without any prejudice”, about the disparity in
the Punjab state ‘Sahit Shiromani Purskar — 2005, especially the
Sanskrit Sahit Award. He felt perturbed at the wisdom of the selection
jury and the honourable committee.
The visionary omniscient poet maintains that such irregularities by
the proponents of the culture lower the dignity of the awards invariably
damaging the spirit behind the sacred resolve of the government to
honour Sanskrit, the mother of all languages.
The coming generation is not likely to evince interest in Sanskrit if
genuine efforts are not employed to popularise the language, else it may
become distinct with older generation. Similarly, Mohandas Bhanga,
Additional Director, Language Department, Punjab, disclosed that overall
contribution of the writer had been considered for the awards.
Recipient of President Award-1985 and galaxy of national awards Dr
Shashi Dhar is the first scholar to be conferred with D.Litt. without
doing Ph.D. He had declined the offer of ‘Shankaryaship’ of
Jaganmath Puri only to serve the literary world.
Stay organised, Kumaraswamy tells Valmiki community
Staff Correspondent
A SHOW OF UNITY: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy inaugurating the
State-level conference of Valmiki community at Hospet in Bellary on
Sunday.
HOSPET: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy stressed the
need for the Valmiki (Nayak) community to remain organised and united to
get their due.
"If you are united, the Government cannot ignore
you," he told the community members at the State-level Valmiki
conference here on Sunday.
Personal
gain
Mr. Kumaraswamy said that the days were gone when the
community was used for personal gains by vested interests.
Now, the Valmikis were organised and he was hopeful
of the community emerging stronger. He expressed his concern over the
reservation benefits not reaching the poor and the needy. He called upon
the people, who had been opposing reservation, to find out whether the
poor and the needy were benefited by it.
Mr. Kumaraswamy said that B. Sriramulu and Balchandra
Jarkiholi were inducted into the Ministry because the members of their
community were better organised and the two did well.
His Government had set up a corporation exclusively
for the Scheduled Tribes and hoped that the community would make use of
it.
Greater
responsibility
The Chief Minister said Mr. Jarkiholi had a greater
responsibility to ensure that benefits of the Government schemes reached
the poor and the needy.
"Sensitise the officialdom and take them to task
if necessary, so that they visit the rural areas and work sincerely to
achieve the goal of the Government," he said.
He said the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) had come together not to share power but to come out
with programmes for the welfare of the poor. The Government would
continue to accord priority for schemes for the uplift of the poor.
Demands
Mr. Kumaraswamy promised to look into the demands of
the Valmiki community, which included setting up an authority, on the
lines of Kaginele development authority and giving representation to it
in the Karnataka Public Service Commission.
Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa highlighted
the achievements of the Government. Mr. Sriramulu called upon the
community to educate their children.
Janata Dal (Secular) State unit president M.P.
Prakash wanted the Government to consider the demand of the community to
set up an authority. Mr. Jarkiholi, MLA N.Y. Gopal Krishna, and actor
Shashi Kumar spoke.
Earlier, a "tulabhara" of Sri Punyanand
Puri swamiji, religious head of the community, was held to mark eighth
anniversary of his "peetharohana".
More
inter-caste couples avail govt incentive
Anil Jerath - Tribune News Service
Phagwara, August 3
The Punjab government’s move to dole out cash incentives to couples opting for
inter-caste marriages has got an enthusiastic response.
The recent hike in the cash incentive, to the tune of Rs 25,000, a large
number of such couples have applied to the Social Welfare Department to draw the
benefits.
According to sources, the scheme was launched way back in 1985 by the
department to extend financial help to couples facing opposition from their
respective families. An amount of Rs 5,000 was fixed for such couples on the
production of marriage certificates, age proof and an affidavit. However, not
many couples came forward to avail the scheme, as the amount, they felt, was
less.
Recently, the department thought of increasing the grant. Subsequently, a
proposal was sent to state government, which increased the amount to Rs 25,000.
While speaking to The Tribune, a department official said that in the last
three months, many newly-wedded couples have approached them.
“The number is bound to go further as more and more couples come forward
after getting to know the scheme,” he added.
According to the scheme, one among the boy or girl should belong to the
Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe category. It is an one time benefit
scheme.
Education Seminar By K.V.E.T.
Our Corrspondent
On Thursday, 30th December 2004, 8th seminar by K.V.E.T.
organised at Desh Bhagwat Yaadgaar Haal. IPS Gurdev Singh Sahota Preside over
the seminar. World Fame Singer Hahs Raj Hans Ji released the Annual Sovenir
Purshartha & New Year Calender during this Siksha Seminar. Around 107
Brilliant Students were distributed Silver Medals and 11 Gold Medals were given
to the Scholars and Intellectuals for their achievements in various fields.
Among them were Writer Aarsi, Sh. Bhagmal Ji, Writer Omparkash Valmiki Ji, Head
Granthi Baba Nirmal Nath Ji, Scholar Dr. S.L. Virdi Ji, Writer Lekhraj Ji, Ajit
Singh Ji, Virender Gill Ji & Anmol Sahota Ji (website www.bhagwanvalmiki.com)
and Vir Bhisham Das Sahota Ji. Attended by many Nri's from Different countires.
Among them were Amrit Lal Shubh -USA, Sh. Balbir -UK, Sh. Jagdish Rai Ji -UK, Sh.
Tilak Raj Ji -UK, Sh. Des Raj Ji -Germany, Mrs. Charni Babu -UK, Miss Monika
& Miss Semia Nahar -UK etc. |
Two vehicles including a mini-bus were damaged in a clash that took place
between the transporters and the activists of the Valmik Majhabi Sikh
Rakhwakaran Bachao Morcha outside the bus stand, here today.
