bjp-l-digest Tuesday, September 23 1997 Volume 01 : Number 387
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News, Opinion, Analysis and Publications Digest
Today's Topics
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Ayodhya Again...
Kalyan Singh to visit Ayodhya
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Editorial - Organiser - September 21, 1997.
Mandir Again
It is ironical that a relatively forgotten issue is likely to be brought to
the centre stage of Indian politics, this time by none other than the
judiciary. Ayodhya remained unresolved for centuries. The Hindu society's
claim to the temple on the birth place of Maryada Purushottam Ram was
relegated to the forgotten pages of history until the Hindus organised
themselves to register their protest. The demolition of the dilapidated
structure on December 6, 1992 brought in its wake a long list of woes for
the Bharatiya Janata Party which supported the Ramjanmabhoomi movement to
counter the political opposition to the
Hindu's rightful claim. As a result of the demolition, duly elected BJP
Governments were sacked in a most unconstitutional manner. The
pseudo-secular forces were overjoyed. The non-BJP ruled states, especially
the Congress ruled Maharashtra saw the worst riots, engineered by hired
hooligans of the ruling elites. The culprits who "avenged" the demolition
by triggering a serial bomb blast in Mumbai were allowed to flee to Dubai
and hailed as Jehadis by a section of Muslims in this country. They are yet
to be nabbed, let-alone trying them. And now the demolition case is said to
be heading towards the trial
stage. For a Government which thrives on communalism and playing the
minority card, such a move may seem to bring rich electoral dividends. But
they will be in a fool's paradise if they think they can hoodwink the Hindu
society. It was the politicization of the Ramjanmabhoomi movement by the
Congress and its allied forces that was at the root of all troubles. Any
attempt to rekindle the Ayodhya issue will only rub the Hindu society on
the wrong side. Let the Government of the day ponder over the consequences.
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Date: September 23, 1997
Source: Hindustan Times
Check Dalit Act's misuse: Kalyan
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LUCKNOW,Sept. 22 (From Sunita Aron) Chief Minister Kalyan Singh took two
major decisions on his very first day in office to reaffirm his commitment
on the emotive issues of Ayodhya and misuse of Dalit At. He announced his
decision to visit Ayodhya on Tuesday to pay his obeisanc to Lord Rama. Many
of his Cabinet colleagues would also accompany him.
Even in 1991, Mr Kalyan Singh on becoming Chief Minister of the State for
the first time had visited Ayodhya along with his entire Cabinet immediately
after the swearing-in ceremony. The only Muslim Minister in the Cabinet
then, Mr Ezaz Rizvi, too had raised the slogans of 'Jai Sri Ram'. However
Kalyan Singh would visit Ayodhya with 50 per cent of his team only as BSP
Ministers would not accompany them.
Realising the sensitive nature of the second issue of abuse of Dalit Act,
the Chief Minister also gave clear directives to the district authorities to
check misuse of the Act as well as the atrocities on Dalits in the State. He
said stern action should be taken against those who lodged forged complaints
and use the Act. A Government Order has been issued in this connection.
The issue of misuse of the Dalit Act had been disturbing Mr Kalyan Singh for
long. However, the constraints of an alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party
had forced him to softpedal the issue. Nevertheless, he has often talked
about "checking both misuse of the Act as well as the atrocities on Dalits
"after coming to power. The Act is turning into a powerful instrument for
the political parties to lure and hold the upper caste votes.
Sharply reacting to Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav's accusation against the BJP that
it was provoking the sentiments of the majority community, Chief Minister
told newsmen it was the CBI which incited the passions of the majority
community by chargesheeting him and 49 others in Ayodhya case. Mr Kalyan
Singh said the CBI was responsible for raking up the dormant issue of
Ayodhya.
The Chief Minister said the BJP's commitment to construction of Rama temple
in Ayodhya was well known, but the circumstances have changed since the
demolition of the disputed structure there. The Centre has acquired the
land. The BJP has neither a Government at the Centre nor the land in its
possession.
However, he reiterated that the temple issue should not kept pending for
long.
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End of bjp-l-digest V1 #387
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