Defying religious myths, youths renovate mosque (Dec 14, 2009, The Tribune)

Belonging to different religions, youths of Ajitwal village,
situated on the National-Highway-95, have set an example for all. They
have renovated a mosque that was also a halt for commuters and traders,
who passed through the National Highway-95 in the pre-Independence era.
The mosque was in a bad shape for decades until youths of the village
took up the task to renovate it.

Shahi Imam of Punjab Moulana
Habib Ur Rehman Saani Ludhianvi, who visited the mosque today praised
the youths, particularly those belonging to Hindu and Sikh sects, for
restoring the structure and setting up an example of religious harmony.
The act holds significance, as Muslim prophet Ajit Khan founded the
village about three centuries ago. It was known as ‘Jittwal’ at the
time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.

The first inhabitants of the
village were two brothers Bhai Karam Chand and Bhai Sahib Chand. Once,
a caravan of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, including his relatives, was
passing when a woman fell ill. Since there was no hakim (doctor)
available, she was brought to Bhai Karam Chand. He offered her sand and
the lady was said to be cured. Thus, people had built a spiritual
connection with the village. Since the village is situated on the GT
road, a mosque was established where Muslim traders worshipped and
stayed.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091214/punjab.htm#1

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Vedike demands action against accused in Liberhan report (Dec 17, 2009, Deccan Herald)

Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike and other organisations staged a
rally followed by protest demanding immediate action against the 68
people accused in the Liberhans Commission report in front of the DC
office here on Wednesday. The demands raised by the protesters included
thorough interrogation on the chain of events that resulted in the
demolition of Babri Masjid and the brain behind the incident. The
activities of the Sangh Pariwar and financial backing for their
activities are the source of suspicion. Investigation should be held
focusing on these aspects. The other demand was BJP being the main
traitor in the incident, should be disqualified and banned as a
political party.

Speaking on the occasion Prof Pattabhiram
Somayaji accused that the Sangh Pariwar in disguise as ‘Karsevaks’ were
instrumental in demolishing the Masjid. The outcome of the report has
exposed the reality of the so called Karsevaks. Recently these people
have come out with foolish and illogical ideas like ‘love Jihad’ to
ruin the communal harmony and create hatred among people. Hindu
organisations are against the interests of Dalits, women and
minorities. This is out in the open during the course of their
activities, he added.

The activists were supposed to forward the
memorandum to the President through DC Hemalatha, but she refused to
receive the memorandum on the spot and asked the activists to hand it
over to her in the chamber. But the enraged activists, who were bent
upon their demand that she herself should receive the memorandum coming
to the spot, started shouting slogans against the DC. Later the
activists decided to send the memorandum to President through post. The
rally passed through Service bus stop, City bus stop and Bannanje
Circle. G Rajashekar, Jayan Malpe, Phaniraj, Charles Ambler, Ameer
Hamza, Gopal Shetty, Janardhan Bhandarkar, Dr Vanajakshi, P N Shetty,
Cyril Mathais and others were present.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/41882/vedike-demands-action-against-accused.html

SEE ALSO:

• BJP takes offence to Sheilas Babri Masjid remark, told to leave House (Dec 17, 2009, Indian Express)
  http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/555155/
• Rs nine crore spent on Liberhan Commission: Govt (Dec 16, 2009, Times of India)
  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5343728.cms
• The forgotten riots (Dec 17, 2009, Indian Express)
  http://www.indianexpress.com/story-print/555065/
• CBI seeks nod to prosecute, Tytler, Sajjan Kumar in 1984 riots (Dec 14, 2009, Deccan Herald)
  http://www.deccanherald.com/content/41249/cbi-seeks-nod-prosecute-tytler.html

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Margao blast: Prime accused linked to two more Hindu groups (Dec 17, 2009, Express India)

The Goa Home Ministry has said Malgonda Patil, prime accused in the
Margao blast, was also a managing trustee of two more Hindu
organisations besides his association with Sanatan Sanstha. The names
of these two organisations – Dharma Prachar Sabha and Hindu Dharma
Prathisthan – had surfaced publicly for the first time since October
16, when a blast triggered panic in the commercial town of Margao in
South Goa. The record furnished on the floor of the House during the
state assembly session yesterday has confirmed Patil’s links to these
two institutions.

Patil (28), a native of Sangli in
Maharashtra, till date was known only for his links with Sanatan
Sanstha, a right-wing Hindu organisation operating from Goa’s Ramnathi
village. He died when the bomb he had planned to plant triggered
prematurely. Yogesh Patil (29), a Goan native, also died in the blast,
which occurred on Diwali eve and was part of a larger conspiracy to
trigger serial explosions in the state. Home Minister Ravi Naik in a
statement in the floor of the House said that gelatin sticks,
detonators and timer circuits were used to set off the explosion. He
said immediately after the blast Chief Minister Digamber Kamat along
with Fatorda constituency legislator Damodar Naik visited the spot.

Leader
of Opposition Manohar Parrikar (BJP) had earlier questioned the
police’s move to allow VIPs at the spot even before it was thoroughly
checked by the Bomb Disposal Squad. BJP legislator Vijay Pai Khot had
raised the question about the timing of VIPs’ visit and arrival of the
squad during the current assembly session. However, the home minister
refrained from specifying the timing and said "soon after the blast,
the BDS reached the spot

Related posts:

1. IMC-USA Weekly News Digest – September 21st, 2009
2. IMC-USA Weekly News Digest – December 28th, 2009
3. IMC-USA Weekly News Digest – December 7th, 2009
4. IMC-USA Weekly News Digest – December 14th, 2009
5. IMC-USA Weekly News Digest – June 21st, 2010