You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
the Bombay HC warned that it would transfer the case concerning the disappearance of Khwaja Yunus to<br />
the CBI un less the state government provided a satisfactory explanation. Yunus had been arrested for<br />
suspected links with the gang accused of mastermind ing the Ghatkopar blast. Apart from arresting Vaze,<br />
the state has also launched a hunt for three constables who were in the same squad which was al legedly<br />
"accompanying" Yunus when he went missing. (<strong>Indian</strong> Express 9.3.04)<br />
VHP joins issue with Advani (26)<br />
NEW DELHI, MARCH 8. Reacting to the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani's statement that the Gujarat<br />
riots were a "blot" and an "aberration," the Vishwa Hindu Parishad said today that "blaming" Hindus for<br />
"everything had become a fashion" in the country. "It is unfortunate that roasting alive of 47 Hindus on<br />
Godhra station is not a blot for Advaniji. The attack on Raghunath temple and Akshardham and the<br />
attacks on Amarnath pilgrims and Parlia ment, the temple of democracy, are not taken as dark spots," the<br />
VHP international general secretary, Pravin Togadia, told PTI over phone from Mumbai. (The Hindu<br />
9.3.04)<br />
10 th March<br />
RSS plans a larger role this time (26)<br />
NEW DELHI, MARCH 9. Official pronouncements after last Fridays meeting between leaders of the<br />
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including the Prime Minister,<br />
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, were that the leaders had discussed issues concerning coordination between the<br />
two organisations for the coming general elections. It was also stated that the RSS emphasised the need<br />
to incorporate its "Hindutva" viewpoint on various issues in the BJP's "Vision Document" for the campaign.<br />
Apparently, there was also a general agreement that both the RSS and the BJP speak "in one voice on<br />
different issues." But the "poll coordination plans" of the RSS are not confined to Hindutva-related<br />
theoretical questions alone. Instructions sent across from the RSS nodal points in New Delhi and . Nagpur<br />
to several State and district units in the past two weeks point towards a definitive organisational initiative,<br />
which aims not only at helping the BJP score in the Lok Sabha but also at enhancing the "direct influence<br />
of the RSS" among BJP Members of Parliament. The thrust of the RSS leadership's instructions, sources<br />
close to them said, was to get more "committed members" in the BJP Parliamentary Party.<br />
To ensure this, the leader of the Sangh Parivar proposed to play a more pro-active, decisive role in the<br />
candidate selection process at the State and regional levels. (The Hindu 10.3.04)<br />
11 th March<br />
VHP plans civil defence committees (26)<br />
JAIPUR, MARCH lO.The Vishwa Hindu Parishad will set up parallel civil defence committees all over the<br />
country in near future to counter "jehadi" elements. A manual for the committees was be ing prepared by<br />
senior retired police personnel, the VHP leader, Praveen Togadia, disclosed here today. "The idea is to<br />
fight terrorism on the Israeli pattern. We are planning to set up thousands of such committees by May as<br />
politicians in this country have neither the will power nor the in clination to fight terror," Dr.Togadia said addressing<br />
mediapersons at Bharat Mata Mandir. "The members of the committee will tip off the security<br />
agencies on the activities of 'jehadi' ele ments." The VHP leader alleged that the National Dem ocratic<br />
Alliance Government's desire to "appease the Muslims" was keeping the Centre from taking effective<br />
action against terrorists. "Election time is the season for Muslim appeasement in this country," he charged.<br />
The VHP would come out with an 11-point "Hindu agenda" for voters dur ing the elections, he said.<br />
"Instead of countering Pakistan-inspired terrorists, the Government is sending the cricket team to play in<br />
Pakistan. This is a blunder similar to the one made by the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in 1962<br />
in the case of Indo-China relations," Dr.Togadia said. "We are sending cricketers when they (Pakistan) are<br />
sending ter rorists." "There has been attacks on the Red Fort, Par liament, Akshardham temple and various<br />
de fence installations. The international intelligence agencies are also talking about the chances of multiple<br />
terrorist attacks in the near future as well," said Dr.Togadia. (The Hindu 11.3.04)<br />
12th March<br />
RSS out in full strength to make yatra a hit (26)<br />
New Delhi: The Rashtriya Sevak Sangh leadership has directed its cadre to make Deputy Prime Min ister L<br />
K Advani's Bharat Uday Yatra a huge success. Instructions have gone down the line to pull out all stops to<br />
ensure the smooth sail ing of the yatra. This is a clear indication of the growing disconnect of the Vishwa
Change language