Sanskar Bharati and Kashi Welfare Society jointly organised a function at Dashashvmedh Ghat to greet the New Year with Kathak, Thumri and Kajari dances. The Sangh swayamsevaks of Kashi Mahanagar conducted a pathsanchalan and performed Adya Sarsanghachalak Pranam as a respect to RSS founder Dr. Hedgewar.
To greet the rising Sun of the New Year, Vedic students of Shri Vidya Mutt and Annapurna Mutt temple and other devotees offered arghya to the rising Sun amidst chanting of Vedic mantras
Jodhpur Navvarsha Mahotsava Samiti conducted a procession in the city and the saints and people of the city lighted 2067 lamps in the map of Bharat. There are reports of similar functions in Lucknow, Delhi, many cities of Maharashtra including Dombivli, Tane, Mumbai and Goa.
Former RSS Sarsanghchalak K.S.Sudarshan was the chief guest at Dombivli near Mumbai where thousands gathered to welcome the Hindu New Year.
2. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF AKHIL BHARTIYA PRATINIDHI SABHA, highest constitutional body of RSS was held at the historic city of Kurukshetra on March 26-28. It was attended by about 1000 delegates from nooks and corners of Bharat including Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat and other provincial and zonal level office bearers.
After paying homage to the departed colleagues and notable social persona, Sarkaryavaha (General Secretary) Bhayyaji Joshi presented the annual report for the year 2008-9.
The annual training camps, Sangh Shiksha Vargas were held in 68 centers having 10,623 trainees for the first year, 2581 for Second year and 923 for Third year at Nagpur. Special camps were also arranged for age group 45-65.
As per information available a total of 40,021 Shakhas are being run at 27,142 places. Saptahik Milan (weekly meeting) are held at 8591 centers and Sangha-mandali (monthly meeting) are organised at 6963 places. He emphasized that that time has now come to focus our energies on improving the quality of shakha work along with increase in numbers of the Shakhas and the locations.
After taking over as Sarsanghchalak last March, Shri Mohanji Bhagwat toured all 39 provinces this year. Sarsanghchalak Pranam, Samajik Sadbhava Baithaks and Open Press Conference at select places were the programs at each place. A total of 2, 60,731 uniformed Swayamsevaks and citizens including women and children attended his programs. The programs in Delhi, Mahakaushal and Keral were extraordinarily impressive. Unique by itself was the program at Kollam – Keral where 92,000 swayamsevaks were present in uniform. More than 3000 prominent leaders and spokespersons of different communities, religious groups, sects and castes participated in ‘Samajik Sadbhav’ meetings.
The general refrain that came out was that we are sons of the same mother and we should be wary of those trying to divide and disintegrate our society into fragments.
Some of the special programs mentioned in the annual report were anti-Terrorism Day organised at Bhagyanagar in association with ‘Hindu Vahini’where 5000 youths participated in the rally, camp for selected ‘Bal’ swayamsevaks studying in Class VII to Class IX at Amravati – Vidarbha attended by 1545 swayamsevaks, 222 swayamsevaks present in a single shakha at Mahal, Nagpur, Sewa Sangam at Bengaluru , Initiative of cleaning river Kshipra at Ujjain etc. Besides Sangh work, various affiliate organizations like VHP, ABVP, Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram reported their achievements during the year. In his concluding appeal Shri Bhayyaji exhorted the workers to march ahead with commitment and hard work.
3. VIJNANA BHARTI FELICIATATES DR.ANIL KAKODKAR: On 18th March Vijnan Bharati, Mumbai along with prominent educational Institutions of Mumbai felicitated Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former chairman for Atomic Energy Commisssion (AEC) Bharat for his remarkable contribution to the field of nuclear energy. The function was presided over by Dr. Vijay Bhatkar, National President of Vijnan Bharati. Dr. Srikumar Banerjee, Director of BARC and Chairman, AEC was present on that function.
“Nuclear weapons are ‘weapons of peace’ which act as a deterrent,” said Dr. Kakodkar while speaking at the occasion. . The speeches of all these three dignitaries were motivating and gave new vision for national self reliance which can unfold the path of the nation’s march towards the peak of glory.
4. OVER 2000 RECONVERTED TO HINDUISM IN SOUTH GUJARAT: As many as 2200 members of 384 families belonging to 23 villages in South Gujarat have reconverted to Hinduism leaving Christian religion.
The converts mostly poor tribal rural people participated in reconversion ceremony held at Sutharpada near Kaprada of Valsad district in South Gujarat. The event was organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad whose national secretary Mohanbhai Joshi was present here.
5. ‘A HINDU FREE TO HAVE ONE, MANY OR NO GODS': "Hinduism is a vibrant system. It is deeply rooted in Bharatiya culture. Living Bharatiya culture is living Hinduism and the core of Bharatiya culture is the core of Hinduism," said Kapil Kapoor, former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Jawahar Lal Nehru University during a panel discussion on 'Hinduism in Contemporary World' on the occasion of a preview of the 11-volume Encyclopedia of Hinduism on March 25 at the Vivekananda International Center, New Delhi.
Swami Atmapriyananda, the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda University, said, "Hinduism teaches one to know the way to attain peace. Only a person who has known himself can go beyond sorrow and gain peace of mind."
Kavita Sharma, Director of India International Center, said that Hinduism is a psychological tradition. Sadhvi Bhagwati Saraswati said that Hinduism provides the world a roadmap that leads people to wisdom. Senior BJP leaders Lal Krishna Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi and former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir Jagmohan were also present on the occasion.
6. 1ST AUSTRALIAN HINDU YOUTH CONFERENCE is being organized on 10-11th April by Hindu Youth Australia, a social organization committed to strengthen identity of Australian Hindus, especially youth. It will be held at the University of Western Sydney on the theme ‘the dynamic spirit of youth and the development of leadership amongst Australian Hindus.’For more information please contact Nikhil@HinduYouthAustralia.com
7. BHARAT FOILS US FIRMS BIOPIRACY BID: Bharat has foiled a major biopiracy bid on the use of Ashwagandha, Bharat’s wonder plant in the treatment of a range of illnesses including depression, diabetes, insomnia, convulsions and gastritis. On March 25, the European Patent Office (EPO) decided to withdraw American multinational company Natreon Incs patent applications on the plants medicinal properties after Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) head Dr V K Gupta shot off a letter to EPO submitting documented proof confirming how medicinal formulations using Ashwagandha were being used in Bharat as far back as in the 12th century.
Called the Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha is used extensively in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, Bharat’s traditional systems of medicine.
8. BHARAT FIRST DEVELOPING NATION TO CHAIR IPDC: Bharat has assumed the chairmanship of Inter-Governmental Council of the International Programme for Development of Communication (IPDC). Information and Broadcasting Secretary Raghu Menon has been elected as chairman of the IPDC, which has always been headed by the developed countries.
IPDC is the multilateral forum in the UN system, designed to mobilize the international community to discuss and promote media development, especially in developing countries. Bharat’s candidature was endorsed by Asia Pacific Regional Group and supported by countries from Africa, Arab and Latin American region.
9. INDONESIA’S HINDUS CELEBRATE SARASWATI DAY: Thousands of Hindus crammed into Tirta Empul temple in Tampaksiring, Gianyar, on February 28 for a self-purification ritual in conjunction with Saraswati, the day of praise for the goddess of knowledge. Children and adults came to the temple in droves to conduct banyu pinaruh, a bathing ritual, which is performed to eliminate negative influences from their souls and ask for blessings from Saraswati. Putu Sudirta came all the way from Denpasar with his family to perform the ritual. “We usually call this rite melukat, or cleansing ourselves of bad things,” said the 35-year-old man. “I came here because this place is special. It has a sanctified water source, which is believed to possess a spiritual power to purify ourselves.”
(Note: The puja honoring Saraswati happens on a different date in most of Bharat) Source: www.thejakartapost.com
10. 20,000 TURNED UP TO CLEAN YAMUNA: Shiva, a final year student of Faridabad, along with over 20,000 people, joined the ‘‘Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna’’ initiative, launched on March 17 by the Art of Living Foundation, to clean the river’s ghats and to drive home a point to the government — the Yamuna needs urgent attention if it is to survive.
And to show the way, it mobilised thousands of citizens to get down to action. While only a whole-hearted and sincere effort by government agencies can really make a difference to the health of the river, this citizens’ effort has drawn urgent attention to the city’s sprawling open drain that was once a glorious river.
11. BHARAT SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRES DHANUS, PRITHVI-II MISSILES: Bharat has successfully test-fired nuclear-capable Dhanush and Prithvi-II missiles from two separate locations off the Orissa coast during the dawn hour. The ship-launched Dhanush was test-launched at 5.30 am on March 28 from INS Subhadra positioned about 50 nautical miles from Puri coast and the surface-to-surface Prithvi-II was flight tested a few minutes later at the integrated test range (ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea. Both the indigenously developed missiles were tested in Salvo mode by the armed forces.
12. BHARAT-BASED EXECUTIVES INCREASINGLY CLIMB MAULTINATIONAL COs' RANKS: Two Bharatiya executives have been elevated to the executive management committees of two of the world's biggest companies.
One is Krishna Mikkilineni, the president of the Bangalore-headquartered Honeywell Technology Solutions (HTS), will now report directly to Honeywell's chairman and CEO Dave Cote. He will head the $30-billion, New Jersey-based company's engineering and operations, and he will be based in Bangalore.
The other is Vivek Mohan, currently head Alcatel-Lucent's business in Bharat, will now be president of Alcatel-Lucent's global services business. The services group accounts for 24% of the company's global revenues of Euro 15.2 billion, and Mohan will handle this out of Mumbai.
13. BHARAT WINS BID TO HOST MATHEMATICS ‘NOBEL’: For the first time ever, the Fields Medal — popularly known as the Nobel Prize for mathematics — will be announced from Bharatiya soil as Bharat has won the bid over Canada to host the prestigious International Congress of Mathematicians 2010.
The Congress, which was first held way back in 1897, will take place in Hyderabad from August 19-27.
Founded at the behest of Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields, the Fields Medal is awarded to the world's best mathematicians at the Congress, held once every four years. But unlike the Nobel, winners of the Medal can't be over 40 years of age
14. BRAHMOS CRUISE MISSILE TEST-FIRED SUCCESSFULLY: Bharat on March 21 again tested the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, which the armed forces are already inducting as a `precision' strike weapon, from a moving warship INS Ranvir off the Orissa coast.
The Navy has already inducted the 290-km range BrahMos missiles on some warships, having earlier placed orders worth Rs 711 crore for 49 firing units in `inclined launcher configurations'. It's now gearing up to induct these air-breathing missiles in the `vertical launcher configuration as well'.
This is significant since `vertical launchers' are fitted under the warship's deck, protecting them from the atmospheric conditions and imparting some stealth to the weapon system. It also allows the missile to be fired in any direction.
The Army, on its part, is on course to induct two more regiments of the BrahMos Block-II land-attack cruise missiles (LACM), which have been designed as `precision strike weapons' capable of hitting small targets in cluttered urban environments.
15. DISABLED OFFICER TO BE MAJ GEN: In a historic first, the Bharatiya Army is set to promote an officer in a wheelchair — Brigadier S.K. Razdan (55) — to the rank of major general.
Razdan suffered a spinal injury during a gunfight in Kashmir 15 years ago on October 8, his birthday. It left the paratrooper paralyzed from the waist downwards.
But his daring effort on that day won him the Kirti Chakra, Bharat’s second highest peacetime gallantry award. Taking on terrorists, he saved the lives of 14 women in that 16-hour operation at Damal Kunzipur.
16. NRI DIABETES EXPERT AMONG UK's BEST DOCTORS: Kamlesh Khunti, a Bharatiya-origin diabetes expert based in the east Midlands town of Leicester, has been adjudged as one of the most influential general practitioners in Britain.
A poll published by Pulse, a leading weekly medical publication, put Khunti in the top 20 of currently practicing doctors who have helped to shape general practice.
17. HINDU LAWMAKERS IN PAKISTAN WALK OUT OF PARLIAMENT: Lawmakers belonging to Pakistan's minority Hindu community walked out of Parliament to protest a top judge's remarks that Hindus might be financing terrorist attacks in the country.
Ramesh Lal, a lawmaker from the ruling Pakistan People's Party, raised the issue in the National Assembly on March 16, saying the sentiments of an estimated four million Pakistani Hindus were hurt by Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Muhammad Sharif's uncalled for remarks. Lal said if a country was suspected of sponsoring such attacks it should be named but blame should not be put on the Hindus who were as patriotic as other Pakistanis. Lal was joined by other Hindu lawmakers and members of the Awami National Party in the walk out, described as the first protest in parliament against the judiciary.
18. STREET NAMED AFTER DR.SUKHADIA IN N.Y.: On Sunday, March 21, the intersection of “Arden” & "Amboy" Avenues in the city of Staten Island N.Y. was named “Dr Jitendra Sukhadia Crossing”, as a tribute to his wide ranging exceptional Humanitarian work. Dr Jitendra Sukhadia, was a brilliant Pediatrician and a conscientious community leader.
This event was graced by Hon. Councilman Mr. Vincent Ignicio, NJ Assembly Member Mr. Upendra Chivukula and scores of Bharatiya dignitaries from various organizations and his nearest relatives.
The most endearing tribute was paid by one of Dr Sukhadia’s patient, Devon Catugno, who after overcoming numerous medical-physical complications is now a graduate student. His expressed feelings, which were vocalized by his mother, portrayed Dr Jitendra Sukhadia a lifetime friend rather than a care giver, who as a doctor, not only treated and nurtured him overcoming all the obstacles he faced but also encouraged him to strive for the higher goals. Dr. Jitendra Sukhadia was a past president of New York area "Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America - VHPA" for several years and locally spearheaded all its charitable activities.
19. COW SLAUGHTER BAN BILL PASSED IN KARNATAKA ASSEMBLY: Karnataka Assembly passed the cow slaughter ban Bill on March 18 which provides for stringent punishment for violaters and makes the offence cognisable and non-bailable.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa defended the Bill, saying it was aimed at protecting cows and preserve cattle in Karnataka. A number of Bharatiya states including Jammu & Kashmir and countries like Cuba and Iran have similar provisions, he said.
20. Bharat's economy, credit rating upgraded: The world’s largest rating agency, Standard and Poor (S&P), has reaffirmed the Bharat recovery story as it revised its outlook on the world’s second-fastest growing economy to ‘stable’ from ‘negative’, though the rating remained ‘BBB minus’.
Economists and market experts felt it will impact corporate borrowing rates and lead to a strengthening of fund flows. Consumers, however, will be affected only indirectly. They will be hit if the cost of funds for banks goes down, so will interest rates on home or auto loans.
A stable outlook by the S&P comes as positive news for the markets even though experts feel that much of the reasons are already factored in.
21. 1st SIKH TO WRAP UP US ARMY OFFICER SCHOOL: Thirty-one year old Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan became the first Sikh officer in the US Army in over two decades to complete basic training without shedding his turban and other articles of faith. Rattan, a dentist by profession, graduated from Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas making him the first Sikh officer in a generation to complete the basic training with his turban and beard intact.
22. BHARTI ACQUIRES ZAIN'S AFRICAN BIZ FOR $10.7 BN: In the largest telecom takeover by an Bharatiya firm, Sunil Mittal-led Bharti announced the mega USD 10.7-billion deal to acquire Kuwait-based Zain Telecom's African business, making it the world's fifth largest mobile operator with presence in 18 nations.
The acquisition is the second largest by an Bharatiya company since Tata Steel’s $13.6-billion acquisition of Anglo-Dutch steel maker Corus. It will catapult Bharti to the rank of the sixth-largest telecom service provider in the world by number of subscribers.
In terms of presence, the new entity would be the second largest in the world offering services to a population of about 180 crore. The new entity will have a customer base of 17.9 crore.
23. BIRTH CENTENARY OF SARASWATITAI APTE: In the concluding celebration, Vandaniya Saraswatitai Apte, the second Pramukh Sanchalika of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, was paid rich tribute in New Delhi on March 11 with one lakh eight thousand ahutis in yajnas organised at 30 different places. Akhil Bharatiya Karyavahika of the Samiti guided the Sevikas at the function organised in Yamuna Vihar.
During the birth centenary year from March 2009 to March 2010, many functions were organised across the country. A grand Sammelan was organised at Punjabi Bagh Stadium last year in which more than 7000 women had participated. Pramukh Sanchalika of the Samiti Smt Pramilatai Medhe addressed the gathering.
24. PAK-SPECIFIC AGNI-1 TEST-FIRED OFF ORISSA COAST: Bharat’s indigenously developed, nuclear-capable, short range ballistic missile (SRBM) Agni-1 was test-fired on March 28 from the Wheeler Island, about 100 km from Balasore off the Orissa coast.
Blasted off from a rail mobile launcher, the surface-to-surface, single-stage missile, powered by solid propellants, roared into the sky at about 1 pm, trailing behind a column of orange and white thick smoke.
25. CBSE SET TO GO GLOBAL FROM NEXT SESSION: After deciding to make Class X board exam optional, Bharat's premier school board CBSE is set to go global by introducing a new syllabus for international students and would affiliate any school from any country from the next academic session.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) would introduce a new syllabus to make it on par with international boards like International Baccalaureate (IB).
The new syllabus will be only meant for international students and will be taught in the interested affiliated schools from abroad. The new curriculum will be of international standards and give a global perspective to the subjects of study.
26. SHRI VISHWA NIKETAN: Visitors: Dr. Bhishma Agnihotri, Dr.Manohar Shinde - USA, Shri Jagmohan Sharma – Canada, Shri Anil Sharma - Denmark, Smt Bhoomi – Spain, Pravaas: Shri Sureshji Soni, RSS sahsarkaryavaha, and Dr. Shankar Tatwawadi – samyojak Vishwa Vibhag will attend European shibir at Copenhagen and tour Germany, France , Netherlands and UK.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: It is my duty to guard my homeland. – Shivaji in a letter to the Mughal Officials.
JAI SHREE RAM
RESOLUTION - 1VISHWA MANGAL GAU GRAM YATRA: A MEANINGFUL INITIATIVE FOR THE PROTECTION OF COW WITH ITS PROGENY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT: The Akhil Bhartiya Pratinidhi Sabha, while expressing its gratitude to the revered saints and dharmacharyas for the successful completion of the “Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra”, felicitates the public and various social and cultural organisations for the overwhelming response they gave to the Yatra. Today, when the entire world is deeply concerned over the degradation of the environment as a consequence of following the present concept of development, the Yatra has highlighted the need for the implementation of an alternative approach to development, based on eco-friendly and the cow & village centric model. The Main and Upyatras were conducted between 28 September 2009 and 17 January 2010 during which 4.11 lac villages were contacted. Meetings were held at 2.34 lac places, which were attended by 1.5 crore people. About 8.5 crore people, including the people of all religions and sects and several MPs and MLAs of various parties, have signed for the protection of cow and its progeny. This large signature campaign reflects widespread public response for the protection of cow and its progeny. The ABPS feels that it is a reminder to the Central and State Governments about their responsibility to protect cow and implement cow-centric village development approach.
In view of the continuing exodus from villages due to the reasons like non-profitability, health hazards and degradation of soil due to chemical based farming, scarce availability of water for irrigation purposes, lack of basic amenities like health care and education, the very first priority should be the development of villages. The government should immediately develop the facilities for quality education, health care, transport etc. for rural areas and create employment opportunities through cottage, small and village industries in the villages. A balanced cropping pattern, promotion of organic, natural and eco-friendly farming and harnessing the traditional water resources and renewable energy resources is the way to solve various economic and environmental problems through self-sustaining village model. Endeavour be made for the protection and coordinated development of our wealth in the form of land, water, forest, cow and other living beings. In this regard it should also be ensured that the area of agricultural land does not decline, so that the country remains self-reliant in foodgrains. Various products of daily use and medicines can be produced from ‘Panchgavya’ to augment the income of rural population. Likewise, the bio-gas and bullock driven power generators can take care of energy needs. Cow-centric village development can lead our villages to prosperity. Hence, research should be undertaken on this entire cow based science and technology, and it should be widely promoted and included in the academic curriculum.
In the last few years, several social activists and scientists in Bharat have made praiseworthy efforts in developing new ‘Panchgavya’ based products and farm instruments, in addition to the traditional products of ‘Gaushalas’. The positive results of these initiatives buttress the fact that the protection, development and improvement of Indian breeds of cow will be immensely beneficial. The ABPS is of the view that all such efforts need better coordination and consolidation on a wider scale. Some of the state governments have taken initiatives to promote organic farming, which need to be stepped up. The implementation of the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to give grant to the gaushalas at the rate of per cow per day, will also be a right step to follow in the direction of protecting the cow.
The directive principles of the state policy in our constitution have given explicit directive for the prevention of cow - slaughter and direct the citizens and State to protect the environment, water resources and wildlife as their duty and to have compassion towards living creatures. The historic decision of 2005 of the seven judge Bench of the Supreme Court, upholding the legislation by the Gujarat Government for total ban of slaughter of cow and its progeny, has reinforced the above mentioned constitutional directive. Today, several states have cow protection laws; they need to be made more effective and be implemented properly. The recent bill moved by the Karnatak government for cow protection is a commendable exercise to emulate. The central government should also stop subsidising the export of beef and ban its export alongwith imposing a total ban on cow slaughter.
The ABPS categorically feels that it will be a gross violation of the public sentiments and the constitutional obligations if, inspite of the directive principles of state policy, the decision of the Supreme Court and the opinion of the general public as evident from the response received by Vishwa Mangal Gau Gram Yatra, the central and state governments do not fulfill their duty. The ABPS urges to the central and state governments to:
1. enact legislation for total ban on slaughter of cow & its progeny and take stringent action to prevent the export and smuggling of cows to the neighbouring countries, 2. declare the Bhartiya breeds of cow and their progeny as national heritage and take all possible measures to ensure the purity of these breeds, 3. immediately initiate steps for developing the various dimensions like the development of ‘Gaushalas’, indigenous breeds of cow and their progeny, bio-gas based and bullock driven power generation, organic and natural farming and ‘Panchagavya’ therapy, and
4. provide adequate facilities for education, health and transport in villages and develop village industries and renewable energy resources, ensuring soil and water conservation to make them self reliant and prosperous.
The ABPS calls upon all the citizens in general, and Swayamsevaks in particular, to make the message for rural development and protection of cow and its progeny given in the Yatra, “proceed towards village, proceed towards cow, proceed towards nature”, meaningful by its active implementation.
RESOLUTION – 2
J&K: Honour National Consensus for A Lasting Solution: The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha expresses concern over the direction in which the State of Jammu & Kashmir is drifting in the last couple of years. Actions of both the State and Union governments are pushing it farther in the direction of secessionism and greater autonomy.
The ABPS strongly condemns anti-democratic, anti-Scheduled Caste, anti-human rights, anti-women and pro-separatist actions of the J&K Government. It is ironical that the government, with the tacit support of various other political parties in the State, is blatantly indulging in distortion of the democratic institutions like the Assembly to perpetuate politics of vindictiveness against Hindus of the State. Kashmiri Pundits see no end to their trauma as conditions for their return with safety, dignity and honour still elude them. Two lakh West Pakistan refugees, one lakh displaced persons from Chamb and eight lakh displaced persons from PoK still reel under decades of neglect and denial of basic human rights.
The Scheduled Caste Hindus of the State have secured reservation rights after a prolonged legal struggle. Now the State Government is trying to deny their legal right through backdoor by bringing in a legislation that would prohibit SCs from Jammu region seeking reservation benefits in the Valley.
The political establishment is encouraging secessionist forces through the same distortion of democratic institutions. It is talking about a ‘surrender policy’ that would bring back terrorists crossed over to Pakistan 20 years ago with the offer of rehabilitation. It is talking about reviving a dead move for legislation - Permanent Resident Certificate (Disqualification) Bill – dissolving State Subjecthood to women who marry persons from the rest of Bharat. Such a move would be against women’s rights including international conventions.
The ABPS decries the attitude and actions of the Union Government in handling the situation in J&K. They are only helping the separatist forces both within the J&K ruling establishment and outside. Report of Justice Saghir Ahmed, Chairman of the PM’s Working Group, has openly lent its support to the separatist voices by asking for perpetuation of Art 370, election of the Governor by the State Legislature and extending greater autonomy to the State.
Union Home Minister’s statement that the J&K problem is “a distinct political problem that requires distinct solution” smacks of Government’s inherent confusion and lack of understanding. The ABPS reiterates that the J&K problem is primarily trans-border terrorism aided and abetted by Pakistan. It must be dealt with sternly. It is unfortunate that the Union Government wants to deploy what it describes as ‘quiet diplomacy’ to handle this issue. The ABPS urges the Government to follow a transparent course on J&K.
The ABPS bemoans that the pusillanimity of the Union Government is emboldening the secessionists and their mentors. Leaders of Hurriyat and other anti-Bharat factions were allowed to travel to Delhi to meet the visiting Pakistan Foreign Secretary in February 2010; they were allowed to attend parties thrown by the Pakistan Embassy in Delhi; they were even permitted to go abroad to attend the OIC meetings. The ABPS wants to know as to what has compelled the Government to allow such blatantly anti-national actions.
This lenience has led to increase in violence and terrorism in the Valley in the last few months. The Army has admitted that there is a marked rise in the infiltration numbers. The Army and Para-Military forces have also highlighted the new Pak-sponsored tactics of the separatists called ‘agitational terrorism’. Aggressive street demonstrations in the last few months have resulted in injuries to more than 1500 CRPF personnel while around 400 attacks have taken place on their vehicles.
The ABPS expresses its concern over the efforts to demoralize our security establishment in the State. Withdrawal of 35000 troops from the troubled areas in the Valley has affected their morale adversely. Crude attempts to implicate security forces in false cases like the Shopian rape, Srinagar firing etc are further damning their morale. These efforts have reached such serious proportions that a BSF commandant was arrested and handed over to the J&K Police for having ordered his jawans to lob tear gas shells at a secessionist mob.
The ABPS urges the Union Government to sharpen its policy on Bharat-Pak relations. Pakistan’s increasing obduracy is glaring in its decision to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as the 5th province of their country. Government of Bharat must take strong objection to it as those areas are a part of the PoK and as such must belong to us. The ABPS wishes to remind the Government of the unanimous resolution of our Parliament on 22 Feb 1994 that called for complete return of the PoK to Bharat.
The ABPS calls upon the Government to follow the national consensus expressed through this resolution on the permanent solution for the J&K problem. The Government should keep the following points in mind in this context:
1. Accession of J&K into Indian Union is final and non negotiable. 2. Continuation of separate constitution and separate flag for J&K is against the integrity of our nation. It is also working against the spirit of our Constitution, interests of our democracy and the basic rights of the people. Hence it must go. 3. Art 370, which was included in our Constitution as a ‘temporary and transitional provision’, instead of being abrogated, continues to be a tool in the hands of the separatist and secessionist elements. 4. Questions like surrender policy, open borders, repeal of AFSP (Armed Forces Special Powers) Act etc must be viewed from larger national security perspective keeping an eye on the developments in Pakistan-Afghanistan front and their possible fall-out on our security. 5. Withdrawal of Army and demoralisation of our security forces will weaken our position internally and internationally.
The ABPS warns the Government that any misadventure or compromise on the J&K issue will not be tolerated by the nation.
The ABPS demands that full citizenship rights should be extended to all the displaced persons forthwith. It also demands that statutory provisions for the development of Jammu and Ladakh regions must be put in place and a proper delimitation exercise must be undertaken immediately so that the injustice being done to the Jammu and Ladakh regions can be brought to an end. Any solution to J&K problem is possible only when the people of Jammu and Ladakh, and the displaced Hindus including Pundits are given a rightful role in it.
The ABPS calls upon the Swayamsevaks to enlighten the countrymen about subversion of democracy in J&K and the consequent sufferings of the nationalist people there so that the whole nation will rise in their support and end their misery.
