2004 - Indian Social Institute

Defiant VHP sets temple deadline (26)
KOLKATA, JUNE 30: THE Vishwa Hindu Parishad today set a one-year deadline for beginning
construction of a Ram tem ple in Ayodhya and said it was prepared for any con frontation in the event of restrictions
by authorities. "It has become very dif ficult to wait for the court verdict. We intend to begin the
construction of the temple within a year and construction material is ready. We cannot wait any further,"
said VHP vice-president Giriraj Kishore at the national executive meeting here. Asked whether it was a
deadline or ultimatum to the government, he replied, "You are free to analyse and draw your own
conclusion." The building of the Ram temple was "overdue" and figures high on the VHP's agenda,
Kishore said. "But unfortunately the BJP could not do anything during the previous NDA regime," he
claimed. Yesterday VHP working president president Ashok Singhal had said the outfit may launch a
political platform to take up the cause of the Hindusamaj, including the long-standing demand for the
construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya. (Indian Express 1.7.04)
3 rd July
Hindutva, as defined in Oxford dictionary (26)
New Delhi, July 2: THE BJP might call Hindutva a way of life but that's not how the new edition of the
Concise Ox ford English Dictionary (COD) de fines it. Instead, Hindutva, as a noun, is explained as "a very
strong sense of Hindu identity, seeking the cre ation of a Hindu state". Hindutva is just one of the 900
words of In dian, largely Hindi, origin that make an entry into the llth edition of the dictionary to be launched
on July 7 in New Delhi. Batchmate (a classmate) gets a look in as do gymkhana (a public place with
facilities for athletics), eveninger (an evening newspa per) and parishad (a council or assembly) (Hindustan
Times 3.7.04)
I am proud to be an RSS activist, says Sahani (26)
Panaji: "I AM proud to be RSS ac tivist. I have been associat ed with the organisation since 1940s," stated
outgoing Goa Governor Kidar Nath Sahani addressing a Press conference at Cabo Raj Bhavan in the
State on Friday. Mr Sahani said that he is yet to receive any inti mation about his removal from the
President's office though he had a copy of the intimation sent to the State Government. On asked about
the BJP's stand asking Governors not to resign, Mr Sahani said: "I have neither been asked not to resign
by anyone." Goa Governor condemned the statement of Minister of State for Home Affairs Jaiswal which
stated that the Government was determined to remove Governors of some States because they were associated
with the RSS. Mr Sahani, in a letter dashed to Rashtrapati Bhavan, on Thursday had expressed
his resentment over the state ment. Mr Jaiswal was quot ed as saying that the Government is determined
to remove Governors of some States before July 5 and that the State Governments have no problem with
the Governors appointed by the previous Government but their worry was related on ly to those appointees
who have been members of the RSS or have association with that organisation or belief in that ideology."
(Pioneer 3.7.04)
7 th July
Saffron protest hits Lahore bus (26)
PHAGWARA, JULY 6: THE Lahore-bound Sada-e-Sarhad bus came un der attack today from hun dreds of
Shiv Sainiks and Bajrang Dal workers on dharna on GT Road at Phagwara. Two women passengers were
hit by shards from window-panes as the protesters threw stones at the bus. Police have booked six
people, including a Shiv Sena activist, but no arrests have been made so far. The bus was passing
Phagwara around noon when it caught the protesters' notice. Members of the Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal,
VHP and BJP were protesting against a CD release, Aaj Ki Ramayan, allegedly ridiculing Hindu gods and
goddesses. As the police escort pulled up behind the bus, the pro testers began throwing stones at the bus
despite the presence of DSP Jaspal Singh. They were brought under control soon and the bus was
allowed to pass. There was not much damage though, the broken panes were replaced at a workshop in
Jalandhar.
Earlier in the day, the protesters held a march in the city from Hanuman Garni Mandir, ending in the sit-in
on GT Road. DSP Jas pal Singh and Tehsildar Vijay Sharma were present on the dharna site when the
inci dent took place. SDM Pritam Singh reached the spot to receive a memorandum from the protesters.
(Indian Express 7.7.04)