MINORITIES - 2002 - Indian Social Institute

Narendra Modi may have been stressing upon a surakshit and salaamat (safe and secure) Gujarat during
the gaurav yatra, but there is constant fear in the minds of the people. "Wednesday's incident was aimed
at striking fear among the people of the community which has somehow come to terms with the worst
communal riots in the state," says Aslam Qadir (name changed), a handloom shop-owner near VS
Hospital. (Times of India 11.10.02)
12 th October
Minority rights" will not be affected: Jaya (7)
Chennai: The ordinance on Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion will not encroach on minority
freedom, assured chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Responding to the minori ty allegation that her government
was toeing the Hindutva line and threatened by a state-wide protest from the Christian community, Jaya
Lalithaa in a statement on Friday clarified that the ordi nance was not directed against any minority reli gion.
"I wish to allay the rears and suspicion of all minority groups whose yeoman serv ice for the welfare of the
needy is acknowledged by all, that this Ordinance does not in any way encroach upon their freedom. On
the contrary, it seeks to protect the weaker sections in society from exploitation," she clari fied. She said
that a "simple reading" of the ordinance shows that "it contains no reference to any particular religion,
leave alone a minor ity religion, whether Christ ian or Muslim or any other." (Times of India, 12.10.2002)
14 th October
Solapur violence toll rises to 9, curfew on (7)
Mumbai, Oct. 13: The situation in the textile town of Solapur continued to be tense but peaceful on Sunday
even as curfew was extended until Monday while toll in police-firing and inci dents of violence and arson
since Friday rose to nine. Curfew was relaxed this morning from 6 am to 8.30 am but reimposed thereafter
till evening as a precautionary measure. It was further extended from 6.30 pm until 6 am Monday, the
police said. Of the nine casualties, five were killed in police-fir ing and the rest in group clashes, state
police control said in Mumbai on Sunday. Nearly 120 persons were injured in the violence and group
clashes on October 11 and 12 and about 250 persons were taken into custody, official sources said.
Violence broke out during the bandh called by All India Mus lim Vikas Parishad to protest US Baptist
minister Jerry Falwel's remarks against Prophet Mohammed. Five persons were killed on October 11 and
four others on October 12 as miscre ants torched shops and business establishments despite curfew
being in force in the city.
(Aian Age, 14.10.2002)
16th October
Attack on pastor: 5 persons arrested. (7)
Mumbai, Oct. 15 : Five Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists were reportedly arrested and remanded in
police custody for the Sunday’s attack on a Protestant Pastor, Gabriel Lalzare. The police, however, have
not confirmed as if those arrested were VHP activists, though the attackers told the pastor that they
belonged to the Parishad. Lalzare is the Pastor of the abundance Life Assembly, a Protestant church,
which does not have premises of its own. So once a week, the church rents a school hall for the Ghatla
Municial School in Chembur for Sunday prayers. (Hindustan Times, 16.10.2002)
Thackeray wants all Bangla Muslims out. (7)
Mumbai, Oct. 15 : Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's annual Dussehra speech at Shivaji park in Dadar here
on Tues day filled with controver sial remarks. Mr. Thackeray said that before leading an attack on
Pakistan, the government solve internal disturbances and the havoc wreaked ISI. The four crore
Bangaldeshi Muslims should be kicked out of the country, he said, wondering why the government did not
do that. The country will be declared as a Hindu rashtra, he insist ed. "This is our country. We want a
courageous PM. Our tolerance has ended... Give me the army and I will finish them off." Lashing out at
the state government, he said they have nothing to show by way of development and have a one-point
programme of grabbing power. (Asian Age, 16.10.2002)
17 th October
The wounded Muslim is a wary Muslim. (7)