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JANUARY 31
MANOHAR JOSHI'S EXIT
Thackeray ejects CM Joshi
Revenue Minister Narayan Rane is the new chief minister-designate of Maharashtra. "I do not know why I was asked to resign. I would be the happiest person to know," Joshi said, adding, "The odds were stacked against me."
Decision in state's interest, says Sena chief
The move appears to be a desperate attempt to regain lost ground and arrest the party's declining popularity. Moreover, an impression was gaining ground that Joshi was paying little heed to Thackeray and becoming an alternative power centre.
THE M L KHURANA RESIGNATION
Madan Lal Khurana resigns
The parliamentary affairs minister had to put in his papers "for airing his grievances in public", BJP vice-president J P Mathur told Rediff On The NeT. "The party leadership felt uncomfortable about some of his statements."
Khurana accuses Thakre of suffocating him
The BJP politician wondered how it was a crime to raise the issue of attacks on Christians when in 1984 he had been praised by the party for taking up the Sikh cause after the riots in Delhi.
'Today, India's image stands lowered'
"At the BJP session in Bangalore, [Thengdi] said the Vajpayee government was selling India, that it was an enemy of the people, and that the finance minister would destroy the economy. Another leader said the present PM was the worst in India's history. I did not like what was happening," Khurana said.
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
BJP labels slain missionary a 'social criminal'
Aira Kharavela Swain, party MP from Balasore, Orissa, said Graham Stains played a leading role in converting many Hindu tribals to Christianity and caused several clashes between the communities.
Nun attacked in Andhra Pradesh
Sister Mariamma Kurapati, mother superior of the Jesus Mary Joseph congregation, was assaulted by a youth at the JMJ school in Nagarjuna Nagar near Vijayawada on Friday.
Christian leader threatens violent response
Roman Catholic Mission chairman Reverend Marampudi Joji hinted that the community would rise in arms against its persecutors.
Stains' murder was planned, says NCM
A two-member fact-finding team of the National Commission for Minorities said the killing of the Australian missionary in Orissa was linked to the disturbances in other parts of the country.
'Justice cannot and shall not be denied'
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee vowed to bring to book the criminals involved in the recent sectarian violence.
PM administers national harmony pledge to religious leaders
Meanwhile, politicos, including former prime ministers I K Gujral and V P Singh, intellectuals and students joined a march for communal harmony and flayed the government's failure to protect the minorities.
Police are killing Allahabad probe
The investigators seem bent on painting the victims as liars. Why didn't they report the incident immediately? Why couldn't they identify anyone during the identification parade? Why... The answers to these are simple, but the police do not believe them.
Violence created fear psychosis, admits Advani
The home minister said the recent incidents in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Orissa, and Bihar have set back the government's efforts for communal amity.
VHP launches 'anti-conversion squads' in Kerala
The organisation has imparted special training to 32 dedicated youngsters in Thrissur and despatched them to select areas of the state.
Minorities panel chief blasts Centre
"The Gujarat government has all along painted a rosy picture, but they have not done enough to protect the minorities," NCM Chairman Tahir Mahmood said.
Delhi imam condemns attacks
Maulana Syed Ahmed Bukhari called upon all secular forces to maintain communal harmony and preserve the centuries-old concept of unity in diversity.
THE JEHANABAD MASSACRE
10 Ranvir Sena activists arrested
An operation to capture the mastermind of the Jehanabad massacre of January 25 is on, police said.
THE JASWANT-TALBOTT TALKS
"Progress" reported in talks
And that despite the United States making it clear that it wants India to adhere to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Clinton happy with Indian stand on CTBT
Giving details of Clinton's ten-minute telephone call to Vajpayee, White House spokesman Joe Lockhert said the president also discussed four areas of non-proliferation concern.
Progress in talks is setback to China
Officials of the external affairs ministry felt America has accepted the Chinese threat to India as well as Vajpayee's oft-quoted letter to President Clinton on the subject, sent soon after the Pokhran nuclear tests.
THE ANJANA MISHRA RAPE CASE
Mishra identifies "second rapist"
But she refused to assist in the creation of a computer-generated image to identify the third rapist because a police officer who had caused her much trouble earlier had been transferred to the computer centre after the assault.
OTHER REPORTS
Bharat Ratna for Ravi Shankar, Gopinath Bordoloi
Like Jayaprakash Narayan in December last year, Bordoloi, a former chief minister of Assam, has been selected posthumously for the award.
Archanas over, Karunanidhi denounces tilak
The 'rationalist' DMK moved closer to god when it was wooing the BJP before the Lok Sabha election last year. But with the BJP's ties with the AIADMK improving and its electoral stock falling, the party seems to be having a rethink.
Centre bending law to protect Jayalalitha, says Karunanidhi
The Tamil Nadu CM said an additional secretary in the Union law ministry under AIADMK minister M Thambidurai is putting pressure on officials on the telephone while the deputy secretary (personnel and training) is in Madras, interfering with judicial administration.
Judge returns MDMA plea to probe Rajiv killing
The designated judge has sought additional details on the Multi-Disciplinary Monitoring Agency's plea to conduct a further probe into the assassination based on the Jain Commission's recommendations.
'Human Rights Watch never contacted us'
Reacting to allegations of rights abuse, the Dabhol Power Company said much of the HRW report deals with concerns about the actions of the state police, over which it has no control, and it is misleading to charge otherwise.
There's a blue moon above...
We have often heard about what happens once in a blue moon. Now is the time to watch it.
CEC Gill wants ban on politicians facing trial
He also repeated his suggestion that states going to the polls should be placed under governor's rule to reduce complaints of misuse of official machinery. For this, he suggested setting up a composite committee, like the one to choose the chief vigilance commissioner, to select state governors.
MP high court quashes governor's order
The governor's order sanctioning the prosecution of former ministers B R Yadav and Rajendra Singh for their alleged involvement in the Indore land scam is what has been overridden.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Tolerating the Intolerant
'During the BJP coalition's ten-month rule, the country's pluralism has been coming apart. The RSS Parivar has released the genie of Hindu fundamentalism from the bottle. The philosophy of accommodation and tolerance that once inspired the nation is in tatters,' says Kuldip Nayar.
Taming of the PM
'Modern elements in the BJP see a design in the recent step-up in the anti-minority rhetoric. The idea is to tame Vajpayee into submission. Senior RSS functionaries are so disgusted with his refusal to fall in line that they have now openly taken to calling him names.' Capital Buzz. Gossip from the Delhi Durbar.
Jammu & Kashmir: Four militants killed, four held
Madhya Pradesh: Congress re-nominates Tiwari for assembly speaker's poll
JANUARY 30
India refuses to quantify nuclear deterrent need
The Americans did not raise the issue of the attacks on Christians in India, much to New Delhi's relief. Instead, Strobe Talbott conveyed President Clinton's desire to put ties between the two countries on a "much stronger footing".
Basu asks Hasina to curb infiltration
At the risk of striking a discordant note in the Bangladeshi premier's goodwill visit, the chief minister took up an issue that is usually left to the Centre and told her that the illegal migrants are "a major headache for many Indian cities".
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Orissa tense after Stains's murders
Intelligence reports say communal violence is likely in the tribal-dominated districts of western Orissa, particularly in Phulbani, where many Christian missionaries and Sangh Parivar groups are active.
Fernandes rejects 'right-wing Hindu' label for Centre
The defence minister said the coalition has no hidden agenda. He also denied the charge that the judicial inquiry into Stains' murder is a ploy to buy time.
Australian foreign minister 'appalled'
But Alexander Downing said the murder does not warrant the issuing of travel warnings against India. "We are sickened by this attack but have every reason to place our faith in the Indian authorities to bring those responsible to justice," he said.
Justice D P Wadhwa to head Stains inquiry
The Supreme Court judge has been told to present "full facts" known about the murder.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
Why I am ashamed to be a Hindu
'Will Christians be hunted out and massacred like Sikhs were in November 1984? Will my white, sari-draped, converted Hindu mother be mistaken for a missionary on a Bihar street? Are Christians going to be made to feel outcasts as Muslims often are?' asks Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'Christians cannot face Islamic anger. They consider Hindus a soft target'
"Even Stains was into conversion activities. The district commissioner of Mayurbhanj had given a written complaint that because of his conversion activities, there was tension in the area," says Bajrang Dal convenor Surendra Jain.
THE ANJANA MISHRA RAPE CASE
Orissa cops upset with the victim
In a memorandum, the policemen have asked that a magistrate be appointed to supervise the work of the officers deputed to protect her.
THE JEHANABAD MASSACRE
Governor holds Rabri responsible for killings
In a forty-minute meeting, Sunder Singh Bhandari is understood to have apprised Home Minister Advani of the "worsening" law-and-order situation in Bihar.
But Laloo Prasad blames Bajrang Dal
Calling the Ranvir Sena "nothing but an extension of the Bajrang Dal", the RJD president accused the BJP of launching a systematic campaign to tarnish the state government's image and topple it.
OTHER REPORTS
VHP blasts Sonia's Tirupati visit
Criticising her refusal to sign the visitors' book at the shrine, vice-president Giriraj Kishore said, "It is a fact that Mrs Gandhi is a Roman Catholic and that her daughter is married to a Christian. No one knows whether they have adopted Hinduism."
No clearance for indigenous aircraft carrier
Defence Minister Fernandes said the proposal had not even gone up to the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Sonia to show her magic in Karnataka on Feb 5
The Congress president will kick off her party's campaign for the November assembly election by addressing a mammoth public rally in Davanagere.
Forgotten, in deed!
His face adorns currency notes. His statue overlooks many a town square. And all school children are taught about him. But half a century after his assassination, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is remembered only in name. Why?
Pallone flays US move to stop scientists' visit to Bombay
The Democratic Congressman said the decision "serves to put these scientists at a disadvantage compared to the scientists from private institutions".
But for Monica, jathedar would have been in US
Die-hard supporters of the controversial Bhai Ranjit Singh say that if President Clinton's sexcapades had not been on the minds of pro-Khalistan Republican Congressmen like Dan Burton, he would have made it to the States.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Yes, let's debate conversion
'If the Pope can make strong statements about another Christian sect, it is asking too much for Hindus to accept missionary activity with perfect equanimity. I agree that sarvadharma samabhaava -- equal respect for all faiths -- is a central tenet of Hinduism. But do other religions truly share that feeling?' asks T V R Shenoy.
Death of a Missionary
"Graham Stains' death is a tragedy; I wish all of us who shed a tear for him will also shed a tear for the thousand mere statistics murdered by fanatics of all religions in India for all the wrong reasons," says Rajeev Srinivasan.
Andhra Pradesh: Lakshmi Parvathi against truck with Anna TDP
Jammu & Kashmir: Army takes kids out for tour
Karnataka: Congress to move court on panchayat poll
Maharashtra: Government goes back on retirement age
Maharashtra: Government to take over druglord Mirchi's properties
When the goddess batted her eyelids...
The priest saw the miracle at the Nagathamman temple, near Madras.
THE WEATHER
Rain likely in Kashmir
It may also rain in a few places in west Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
JANUARY 29
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Thakre wants Khurana sacked
The BJP president has taken strong exception to the parliamentary affairs minister's statement attacking the party's 'pseudo-Hindutva' attitude.
SC judge to inquire into Stains' murder
The three Union ministers led by George Fernandes who visited Orissa's Keonjhar district said the crime was part of an international conspiracy to topple the BJP-led government.
'My husband never baptised a single person in India'
"We never tell anybody to become a Christian. We spread the message of love and peace as Christ had done. If people accept it and embrace Christianity, are we to blame?" says Gladys, Australian missionary Graham Stains' widow.
Congress denies any link with Dara Singh
On the contrary, the accused in the Stains murders worked for the BJP in the last general election, OPCC president Hemananda Biswal said.
VHP, Bajrang Dal demand CBI inquiry
The VHP said the missionary's murder was against the Hindu ethos and hinted that it was the result of political rivalry between Orissa Chief Minister J B Patnaik and his deputy B K Biswal.
Sonia accuses BJP allies of hypocrisy
Why are they not withdrawing support to the government if they are so upset with the violence against the minorities, she asked.
Vajpayee to fast for harmony on Jan 30
The PM appealed to the people to join him in observing the token fast on the fiftieth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination.
NHRC takes up Allahabad attack
Taking suo moto cognisance of the attack on four Christian missionaries on Jan 22, the commission issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and director-general of police.
'Government must ensure rights of minorities'
The National Human Rights Commission pointed out that the protection of the minorities is the Centre's responsibility.
Threesome attacks church in Balasore
They started pelting stones at a Baptist church on Church Gate lane. The watchman protested, but was severely beaten up.
THE REDIFF INTERVIEW
'The BJP is going back to Hindutva'
"Today, there are nearly 40 ex-Congressmen who joined the BJP but are unhappy with that party's policies, so they may also quit," says former Union minister Aslam Sher Khan.
THE ANJANA MISHRA RAPE CASE
Medical team confirms Anjana's rape
A team of doctors at the SCB Medical College, Cuttack, said there were injuries consistent with such an attack.
Another suspect arrested
Meanwhile, the first accused, Padia Sahoo, changed his statement and denied his involvement in the rape.
OTHER REPORTS
Harikrishna quits assembly seat
Dr D Venkateswara Rao, elder son-in-law of NTR and vice-president of the Andhra Pradesh unit of the BJP, also resigned from the party to join the newly formed Anna Telugu Desam.
Sonia attacks 'corrupt, indifferent' Naidu
Gandhi charged the Andhra Pradesh government with undermining the powers of local bodies, and called upon her workers to agitate in a 'peaceful and disciplined manner' against such actions.
BJP rejects Mamata's proposal
"We don't agree," general secretary Venkaiah Naidu said about the Trinamul Congress chief's suggestion for a national government. "The coalition government is going well and we should only think about strengthening [it]."
Orissa CJ Phukan elevated to the apex court
With this, the number of judges in the Supreme Court goes up to 24, as against the sanctioned strength of 26.
Jaswant optimistic about Indo-US talks
"There is now a better understanding of India's position than there was in May or June," the external affairs minister claimed, but said was no question of India being pressurised into signing the CTBT.
Sonia prays at Tirupati amidst tight security
But the Congress chief avoided signing an undertaking avowing her faith in Hindu philosophy.
'Even after my PhD, I am looking for a job'
In an increasingly insensitive world, blind women, however well educated, find it difficult to make a career. Neither the government nor voluntary agencies have any specific programmes for this particular group.
Memorial planned at Ramabai Nagar
A library, a museum, a women's training camp, an auditorium, a hospital and a compilation of Dr Ambedkar's works are to be set up in the slum colony where people were killed in police firing in 1997 after a garland of slippers was found on a bust of the father of the Indian Constitution.
Vishwa Bharati honours Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh PM bags the Desikottama for her role in forging friendly relations among the countries in the Indian sub-continent and her "tireless efforts in upholding democratic values and women's rights".
Islamic purge on in north Pakistan
The Taliban Tehrik has announced a house-to-house search in the tribal areas of the North West Frontier Province to destroy radios, television sets, drugs and other items frowned upon by Islam.
Karachi residents complain as police crack down on crimes
"All of us run when we see the police... They are corrupt and hostile towards us," said Mohammed Naeem, a 22-year-old labourer. "They say we are terrorists and take us to the police station where we are abused, beaten, and released only after our relatives pay them bribes."
THE REDIFF COLUMNIST
Mysteries of digital life
'Mobile phones make me want to vomit. My first encounter with them was in Bangkok: Dumbstruck as I was by the fiery pagodas and glistening emerald tiles of the Royal Palace, a voice floated into my consciousness nevertheless: "Maharaj, aaj raat ko gaathhiye ki daal banaiye",' says Varsha Bhosle.
Assam: ULFA attacks oil pipeline again
Bihar: PWG kills 2
Orissa: Councillor shoots BJP supporter in Sambalpur
Punjab: CAT scratches DGP Dogra's extension
Tamil Nadu: MDMK urges PM to give Tamil
its due
Tripura: Guerrillas kill 2, kidnap 3
Man short of dowry to fast before deputy collector's office
His in-laws allegedly reneged on a promise to compensate him for marrying a deaf-and-dumb girl.
THE WEATHER
Simla snoozes under white blanket
The season's heaviest snowfall started in the morning in the Himachal Pradesh capital and adjoining areas. The city recorded about 20cm by 0930 hours.
JANUARY 28
Harikrishna splits TDP
Sources said more than 50 TDP legislators and half-a-dozen MPs have expressed willingness to join NTR's son and fight the "hi-tech [Chandrababu] Naidu", who, they say, has alienated the rural voter.
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Advani absolves Bajrang Dal, VHP
But a home ministry official admitted that "the VHP and Bajrang Dal are acting with impunity because they know the Vajpayee government will not dare touch them."
Unholy fire spreads to Kerala
RSS activists attacked three seminary students in Kozhikode district on Sunday. The police are searching for Babu, the 30-year-old who masterminded the assault.
Dara Singh created terror to usher in 'Ram rajya'
The prime accused in the murder of the Australian missionary had become a hero for Hindu fundamentalists as he indulged in arson, looting, extortion, and terrorising minorities.
Bajrang Dal 'zeroed in' on Stains to 'end' conversions
"They identified the missionary as their main enemy in their 'crusade' against conversions and decided to kill him," said a villager.
Row over Sonia's Tirumala temple visit
Senior Congress politicians have criticised the Bajrang Dal's statement on the propriety of allowing Gandhi, a "Roman Catholic Christian", inside the Sri Venkateswara temple.
NHRC asks three states to show cause
The commission also ordered its director-general (investigation) to make an on-the-spot study of the missionary's murder in Orissa and file a report.
You're answerable to god, archbishop tells PM
In his Republic Day message, Alan de Lastic hoped Vajpayee would steer the country on the path of true progress, prosperity, equality, peace and justice.
Four more arrested in Stains' killing
The number of people in custody, thus, reached 53. Most of them are from Thakurmunda and Karanjia blocks of Mayurbhanj district and Anandpur block of Keonjhar.
THE JEHANABAD MASSACRE
Red alert as toll rises to 22
Irate villagers refused to hand over the bodies to the police for post-mortem, demanding that Chief Minister Rabri Devi visit the village.
President condemns killings
Narayanan urged the police to act promptly so as to prevent the recurrence of such acts and obviate reprisals by the victims.
OTHER REPORTS
Pak women refuse India's invite for cricket
Security apprehensions have led to the cancellation of the Pakistan women's cricket tour to participate in the seven-match triangular series among India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Peace at gunpoint
It was a celebration like none other. Special. Distinct. Typical of a militancy-hit state. Perhaps 'celebration' is the wrong word -- you don't celebrate inside closed rooms and behind barricaded windows. Which was how it was in Kashmir.
Fernandes presses for no-first-use pledge
The defence minister also called for urgent action to move towards the goal of global disarmament. "The reluctance to abolish nuclear weapons can only mean that we are not reconciled to ban their use," he said.
US expects no immediate breakthrough
Assistant Secretary of State Karl F Inderfurth said Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott would also bring up the atrocities on Christians in India during the eighth round of talks with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.
To wear or not to wear...
The Centre's recommendation that the Delhi state government exempt women pillion riders from wearing helmets has reopened the controversy over religious sentiment versus safety.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
L K Advani is no Sardar Patel
'The Thackerays of the world will not disappear, nor can they be wished away. But to contain the damage they do, we need strong men willing to recognise the dangers these people pose to civilised society. Such people do not buy year-long moratoria from terrorists, they do not negotiate either,' says Shalabh Kumar.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
Solution for Sabarimala
'I don't think the answer is to vulgarise and commercialise Sabarimala. The right solution is to manage the crowds. The main reason there is such a crowd there at this time is because of the nature of the shrine -- it is basically only open in the Malayalam months of Vrschikam to Makaram. But why not have pilgrims go at other times?' asks Rajeev Srinivasan.
It's cock and bull, all this talk of separating sports and politics
'Thackeray's decision is certainly pragmatic and in the nation's interest. For there's no knowing what the BJP coalition's blunder in welcoming the Pakistan tour could have led to; just one clash could have led to Hindu-Muslim riots which may have ultimately devoured the Vajpayee government,' says Arvind Lavakare.
Kerala: Marxists attack police
Kerala: Crocodiles threaten villagers
THE WEATHER
Cold nights in Rajasthan
Cold wave conditions also prevailed in parts of Bihar and west Uttar Pradesh.
JANUARY 26
THE CHRISTIAN ATTACKS ROW
Right-wing Hindus put PM under pressure
The BJP's alliance partners have agreed to demand an immediate ban on fundamentalist Hindu organisations like the VHP and the Bajrang Dal.
'The only difference between Stains and a tribal was that he had white skin'
"Who has the courage to travel to areas reached after seven to eight hours of travel in a rickety bus, areas that are at least 14 hours from the nearest railway line, areas where life is miserable and difficult? Only a missionary-minded person will." Graham Stuart Stains's friends recall an outstanding human being.
Quit, Mamata tells Advani
The Trinamul Congress leader said if the home minister does not resign for his failure to protect the minorities, her party would withdraw its support to the BJP-led government at the Centre.
Treat attackers as terrorists, says Jaya
Condemning the murder of the Australian missionary and his two sons, the AIADMK general secretary said the perpetrators of the crime were anti-nationals who had brought the country shame and ridicule.
Crowds throng Stains's funeral
The cortege was watched by a large number of people all along its 1km route from the church to the Christian cemetery.
When fine breeze turned into violent storm
Fine breeze. That's what Ahwa, headquarters of the trouble-torn Dangs district, means. But there is nothing breezy about the area anymore.
BJP has no right to continue, says TDP
"If any forcible conversions come to the notice of any section of society, they have got the liberty of reporting it to the authorities concerned, but in no circumstances can they take the law into their own hands," Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu added.
Australia condemns missionary's killing
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Stains devoted his life to serving others and it was "unconscionable that he and his two sons should have been killed in this horrific way".
Killers deserve no mercy, says Vajpayee
The prime minister said he had spoken to Orissa Chief Minister J B Patnaik and asked him to take stringent action against those responsible for the missionary's murder.
Conversions form a grim background to killing
For the last 19 years, tribals in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj district are being converted to Christianity. As late as January 22, under the cover of a forest camp, 31 tribal families were converted in Manharpur, which was provocation enough for the Hindu tribals to strike back.
OTHER REPORTS
Ranvir Sena massacres 19 in Bihar
Eleven people injured in the attack on Shankarbigha village in Jehanabad district have been hospitalised
Veteran parliamentarian G G Swell dies at 75
"I have lost a personal friend, the country a noble son who strove relentlessly for the welfare of the people, and the North-East, its most vocal advocate," President Narayanan said in a message.
Uphold India's pluralism, exhorts Narayanan
India's unity is not based on any monolithic idea, but on the age-old tradition of tolerance, which is at once a pragmatic concept of living together and a philosophical concept of finding truth and goodness in every religion, the President said.
TDP threat to BJP revives 'third front' hopes
"Both Naidu and Hegde know that regional parties, including those led by them, will be marginalised if the anti-BJP plank is allowed to be cornered by the Congress. They have to set the ball rolling for a credible third front," a DMK politician argued.
US, India accused of overlooking Enron's human rights violations
A New York-based organisation said the American company employs security forces who allegedly beat and harass people demonstrating peacefully against its power plant at Dabhol in Maharashtra.
PM gives ministers five days to declare assets
Vajpayee's decision is in keeping with the national agenda of governance to root out corruption at the highest level.
Gujarat protests child's initiation as priest
Prominent social organisations and personalities have raised their voice against the Baaldeeksha mahotsava to be held at the Palitana Jain pilgrimage centre in Bhavnagar district on January 27 where a 10-year-old girl will be initiated into priesthood.
Stampede in Kerala assembly over
Sabarimala tragedy!
The Opposition rushed into the well of the house and staged a dharna while discussing the Pampa tragedy. Luckily there was no injury, except for a slight blow to Chief Minister E K Nayanar's ego.
Chandra Shekhar calls for debate on reforms
The former PM said even during the British regime Indians were hopeful of freedom, but now almost everybody is expressing serious concern about the future, be it an industrialist or a man living below the poverty line.
THE REDIFF SPECIAL
A new 'solution' for street children
'Erazex', better known as 'solution', is a popular intoxicant that is inhaled by street children in many Indian metros. Its manufacturer now proposes to add a denaturing agent to the solvent which will induce a vomiting sensation in anyone who inhales it.
THE REDIFF COLUMNISTS
The BJP is bad for the country
'It is my contention that the government has shown itself incapable of governing a complex, multicultural, multiethnic country like India. It has ignited a spark that is setting the countryside aflame. It has poised the nation on the brink of international stigma and internal opprobrium. The sooner such an administration is replaced, the better it is for India,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.
Till the moment of reckoning
'The VHP and Bajrang Dal reckon that the post-1985 rise of the BJP is due to an awakening within the Hindu community. Such an awakening can only be generated by pointing to an easily identifiable villain against whom the community can unite. During the Ayodhya agitation, the Muslims played this role. Now, the Parivar has cast Christians as villains,' says Vir Sanghvi.
A service chief who cannot uphold discipline is not fit to hold office
'The most unfortunate aspect of the Bhagwat affair is the go-by given to military tradition, ethos and heavy reliance on litigation. Wives are not subject to service acts and therefore not in the chain of command. Women, sex and politics are topics still taboo in an officers mess,' says Major-General Ashok K Mehta.
Arunachal Pradesh: Mithi allocates portfolios
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