IN THIS ISSUE

NEWS HEADLINES

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

NEWS HEADLINES

CM MODI KNOCKED OFF THE PODIUM (OCT 1, 2009, HINDUSTAN TIMES)

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is distressed that he will not be seated beside President Pratibha Patil at an event at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial here on Thursday. Modi takes pride in being called the Chhote Sardar (the younger leader) and a successor to the country’s first home minister, who used to be called the Iron Man of India. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Modi has always been an admirer of Sardar Patel, although he was a Congress leader. For, Patel – after Mahatma Gandhi – is tallest leader the state has ever produced. So, not getting a prominent place at a function in memory of Sardar Patel is bad for the image Modi has built over the years.

The event is being organised by senior Congress leader and Union minister Dinsha Patel, who, as president of the organising trust – Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Society – will sit beside the President. Since the seat on the other side of the President is reserved for Governor S C Jamir, Modi wants Dinsha Patel vacate the chair.

Patel told Hindustan Times: "Modi has been trying hard for the last 10 days to persuade me. But since this is not a government function, we don’t have to abide by the protocol." What irked Modi more was the absence of his name on the invitation cards. The chief minister’s office (CMO) also tried to get the cards reprinted with Modi’s name on them. The CMO, however, refused to comment on Patel’s charges.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/Print/459989.aspx

NARODA GAM RIOTS: CHARGES FRAMED AGAINST MAYA, JAIDEEP, BAJRANGI (OCT 1, 2009, TIMES OF INDIA)

A special court, on Wednesday, framed charges against 81 persons, including former state minister Maya Kodnani, VHP leader Jaideep Patel and Bajrang Dal activist Babu Bajrangi in connection with a post-Godhra riots case of Naroda Gam. More than seven years after the incident, trial against persons accused of killing of 11 Muslims on February 28, 2002 is scheduled to commence in a designated court presided by additional sessions judge SH Vora. Out of 83 accused persons, the court discharged Pradeep Sanghvi alias Banker who was arrested owing to a mistaken identity, while case was dropped against one accused Ukaji alias Bachuji Thakor, who died before the trial could begin.

Declining accused persons’ plea to remove charges of conspiracy, judge Vora read out the charges against all accused persons by bifurcating the offence into eleven parts. Court framed charges on the basis of nine different charge sheets filed by various investigating agencies including Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). The judge also noted that the accused committed the crime to avenge Godhra carnage. Political leaders accused of leading riotous mobs are facing charges of inciting them, whereas many others, including Bajrangi, advocate Rajkumar Chaumal are held accused of killing, injuring people belonging to minority community, arson and causing damage to property.

Charges have been levelled against the accused of causing disrespect to religious scriptures like Quran, insulting the religion and hurting religious feelings of Muslim community with intention and illegally entering the graveyard. A police inspector VS Gohil also faces charges of dereliction of duty, destruction of evidence to shield the accused. All the accused are charged with criminal conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder and inciting communal passion.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5073692.cms

BJP TRAINING ITS LEADERS ON COMMUNAL VIOLENCE (SEP 29, 2009, DECCAN HERALD)

By inviting Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi to conduct a workshop for the State ministers at Suttur, the BJP is training them in stirring communal violence, KPCC President R V Deshpande alleged on Tuesday.

"If the BJP really wants to give some orientation to the ministers, it could have invited intellectuals and experts. Instead, it wants Modi to conduct the workshop on disturbing peace in society