Gujarat Riots - News from The Hindu (Archives) part III

Renewed violence in Gujarat (MARCH 16. 2002)

By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD, MARCH 16. At least three persons have been killed, one in Ahmedabad and two in Baroda, in incidents of stabbing and police firing in renewed violence in various parts of Gujarat since Friday night.

Almost half of Baroda city (and nearly the entire walled city and eastern localities) has been placed under indefinite curfew. And curfew was extended in Ahmedabad to two more police station areas - bringing the total to five - as the violence spread to more areas in the night. It covered most of the walled city and main market areas. And indefinite curfew continued to remain in force in parts of Broach, Balasinor and Petlad towns of central Gujarat.

The Army staged a flag march in Ahmedabad, Baroda and some other areas, while police bandobust was intensified in the sensitive areas in view of the stabbing incidents. A number of incidents of private firing were also reported both from Ahmedabad and Baroda.

Violent mobs fought pitched battles almost throughout the night in Madhavpura area of Ahmedabad and Panigate in Baroda, throwing stones, acid bulbs and other dangerous things at each other, forcing police to open fire several times. While two persons were killed in the firing in Ahmedabad and Baroda, a person was stabbed to death in Fatehganj.

An official spokesman claimed that no untoward incident had been reported during the day. The authorities are keeping their fingers crossed with night approaching, though life was near-normal in most parts of the western suburbs in Ahmedabad and Baroda.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/17/stories/2002031706000100.htm

Godhra prime accused held (MARCH 17. 2002)
By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD, MARCH 17. The anti-terrorist squad of the Gujarat Police has arrested Haji Bilal, claimed to be the main accused in the Godhra train carnage, and handed him over to the Government Railway Police for investigation. Bilal, a member of the Godhra municipality, was believed to be hiding in the slums on the outskirts of the town since the carnage on February 27.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/18/stories/2002031806030100.htm

Shun extremist leaders, RSS tells Muslims (MARCH 17. 2002)
By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, MARCH 17. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) today urged the Muslims of the country to come out of the clutches of their extremist leaders and Hindu-baiters.

A resolution adopted at the three-day conference of the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha of the Sangh, which concluded at Chennenahalli, near here, today, said: ``Let Muslims understand that their real safety lies in the goodwill of the majority.'' Although a few Muslim leaders interpreted `jehad' as not supporting terrorism, they had not been able to influence the extremist elements, it said. ``The Sabha wants to make it clear that it does no credit to the Muslim community to allow itself to be made pawns in the hands of extremist leaders,'' it added.

Describing the Godhra incident as ``horrible and ghastly'', the RSS delegates said it had become imperative to present it in the proper perspective. The reaction to the incident was spontaneous. The entire Hindu society had reacted. It was unfortunate that a number of people died in the violence.

But certain political parties in their greed to garner Muslim votes turned a blind eye to the original action and protested only against the reaction, linking it to the Ayodhya movement. This had hurt the Hindu psyche deeply, they said.

Briefing presspersons on the resolutions, the RSS joint general secretary, Madan Das, said Muslims would be safe in the country provided they won the goodwill of the majority community. They had to accept the law of the land ``which they are not doing now.'' ``They should desist from provoking the Hindus.'' He regretted that the life of Hindus had no meaning in India.

Plea to media

The RSS urged the media to report incidents in the right perspective and help in promoting national harmony.

From the reports in Gujarati newspapers and information from impartial sources on the Godhra incident, it was clear that the attack was unprovoked and premeditated, it said.

Around 2,000 persons, equipped with petrol cans, acid bulbs, swords and stones, attacked the train. When the passengers closed the doors to protect themselves, they threw petrol bombs inside a bogie, setting it on fire.

The Sangh wanted the Centre to take tough measures against Bangladesh, such as stopping the water flow from the Farrakka barrage as a reaction to the atrocities on Hindus there.

It wanted the Government to demand creation of a separate homeland for the Bangladesh Hindus if the Government failed to respond positively. Such a demand would be in line with the one made by Sardar Vallabhai Patel in 1949.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/18/stories/2002031806000100.htm

RSS resolution under fire (MARCH 19. 2002)
By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 19. The resolution passed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Bangalore (it said: ``Let the Muslims understand that their real safety lies in the goodwill of the majority'') came in for severe criticism both within and outside Parliament.

While the Opposition condemned it as an open declaration of the communal agenda of the RSS, significantly, the Samata Party, an ally of the BJP, asked the Government to rein in the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to prevent the country from ``irreversible political destabilisation.''

Vaiko (MDMK) said unequivocally: ``protection of the minorities is the cardinal principle of democracy. The majority has the responsibility to be magnanimous and flexible to promote harmony with the minorities. I am totally opposed to the concept of the RSS resolution.''

Many others, including members of the Telugu Desam Party and the Trinamool Congress, have expressed shock at this blatant threat to the minority community. As for the BJP, its spokesperson, V.K. Malhotra, has been claiming ignorance: ``I have not yet seen the resolution so I cannot comment,'' was his answer to questions on what the BJP thought of the RSS view.

The issue was raised in Parliament by the Congress, which demanded an ``unequivocal condemnation'', and it was supported by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Muslim League. Raising the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi (Cong) said the RSS resolution telling Muslims that they would be safe in the country only if they enjoyed the goodwill of the Hindus, ``was a direct challenge to the Constitution... this House must unequivocally disapprove and condemn the resolution.''

Mr. Dasmunshi referred to the heightened communal tension in the country and accused the RSS of trying to undermine the nation's unity by creating such divisions within society.''

``Parliament must take a strong view on this, we cannot ignore it'' he said. He was supported by E.A. Ahmed and Banatwala of the IUML and Raghuvansh Prasad of the RJD. Denouncing the RSS resolution, Mr. Ahmed said it was ``atrocious and repugnant to the principles of the Constitution.''

``What right does the RSS have to dictate to the minority community? Is the safety and security of the minorities in the hands of the Sangh Parivar or in the hands of the Government, he asked. Mr. Banatwala described the RSS resolution as an affront to the Constitution and asked the Centre to take strict action.

However, it was the Samata Party's strong denunciation that raised many eyebrows. The party spokesperson, Shambhu Srivastva, said his party had taken a serious note of the RSS resolution and charged the VHP and the RSS with undoing the gains of a settlement on the Ayodhya issue. He said the statements were posing a big hurdle to the Government.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/20/stories/2002032006030100.htm

Modi should quit, says Opposition (MARCH 20.2002)

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 20. There was uproar in the Lok Sabha today over the violence in Gujarat, and an irate Opposition forced an adjournment of the House. Demanding action against the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, and an explanation from the Home Minister, L. K. Advani, the Opposition forced the adjournment during zero hour.

The issue was raised by Madhusudhan Mistry, Congress MP from Gujarat, who referred to the renewed violence in different parts of the State. He charged the Government with "misleading the nation" by claiming that the situation was under control, and cited instances of fresh violence in Bharuch, Madossa and Baroda. "This Government is not interested in controlling the violence, it is hand-in-glove with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal. ''

He was supported by E. Ahmad of the IUML, Ramjilal Suman (Samajwadi Party) and Raghuvansh Prasad (Rashtriya Janata Dal). Demanding Mr. Modi's resignation, the Opposition said the Government was deliberately "looking the other way." The charge was countered by the Treasury benches which accused the Opposition of "instigating the riots." With both sides unrelenting, the Deputy Speaker, P.M. Sayeed, adjourned the House for an hour.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/21/stories/2002032104330101.htm

VHP plans to take out 'asthi yatras'

By Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD MARCH 20. In a move that can lead to tension in other parts of the country, the Gujarat unit of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad is chalking out a plan to take out "asthi yatras'' — urns containing ashes — of the victims of the Godhra train carnage.

According to the VHP sources, the idea behind the proposal is to pay "fitting tributes'' to the "martyrs'' of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple movement by immersing the ashes of the victims in rivers and seas. But apparently under pressure from the State Government, the VHP has left the final decision on the "yatras'' to a committee of "sants.''

The VHP State joint general secretary, Kaushik Mehta, said the "sants'' from all over the State would meet here later this week to take a decision on the "yatras.'' The urns containing the ashes of the 58 "Ram sevaks'' had been kept at the VHP office here, he said.

The move to leave the decision to the "sants'' was apparently aimed at warding off pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party Governments at the Centre and the State because as an arm of the Sangh Parivar, the VHP would be more susceptible to such pressure than an independent committee of "sants.''

The Narendra Modi Government is trying to prevent the VHP from taking out such "yatras" at least in Gujarat in view of the tensions in the State. Sources said that discussions were on with the VHP leadership and that "we are confident of dissuading them from making such a move.''

The Gujarat Minister of State for Home, Gordhan Jhadaphia, in fact, claimed that the VHP had "accepted'' the Government's request.

The Centre had also been alerted about the possible VHP move but a decision on whether to allow such "yatras'' within their States would be left to the State Governments, the sources said.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/21/stories/2002032104330100.htm

Allies raise storm over 'asti yatra', to meet today

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI MARCH 21. The allies and the supporting parties of the Vajpayee Government are determined to ensure that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's "provocative plan" to carry the ashes (`asthis') of the Godhra carnage victims in processions throughout the country is not carried out. Some of them have said that if the VHP is not forced to drop its plan they would walk out of the ruling National Democratic Alliance.

These parties will meet informally tomorrow _ the Bharatiya Janata Party has not been invited _ to discuss the issue "threadbare". This, despite the effort of the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office,Vijay Goel, who spent 45 minutes with Devendra Prasad Yadav (Janata Dal-United) trying to pacify him and persuade him to cancel the meeting. "The meeting will take place,'' Mr. Yadav said after the meeting.

After today's near-physical clash between some allies and the BJP MPs in the Lok Sabha, matters have come to a head. "We cannot sit back and watch the VHP ignite flames of communal passions that could engulf the whole country,'' Mr. Yadav, who himself was a party to the verbal duel in the Lok Sabha, said later. Several other leaders of the allied parties _ Raghunath Jha and Prabhunath Singh of the Samata Party, Yerran Naidu, (Telugu Desam Party) spoke of their disapproval of the Sangh Parivar's "plan to communalise the Indian polity".

The meeting is expected to specifically discuss the VHP's plan of `asthi yatra' (carrying of the ashes) and other issues recently raised by the Sangh Parivar, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh resolution saying that the minorities depended for their safety on the goodwill of the majority community. The feeling is growing that every other day the Sangh Parivar outfits are raising one communal issue or another, making provocative statements and raising the communal temperature. "If urgent action is not taken to stop this, the fear is that the country could become a cauldron of communal passions," they feel.

The line-up of NDA allies which are expected to take part in the informal meeting tomorrow is impressive _ the Samata Party, the Trinamool Congress Party, the JD(U), the DMK, the Lok Janshakti, the Indian National Lok Dal, the National Conference, and, perhaps, even the Rashtriya Lok Dal. Above all, the TDP, the supporting party of the Government, is among those actively engaged in getting the meeting going.

Mr. Yadav said that those who swore by the "Hindu dharma" did not seem to know that Hindu rites prescribed that `asthis' (ashes) must always be immersed well before the 13th day of death.

"If they have kept the `asthis' for over 20 days, let them keep them for two-and-a-half years more till the end of the term of this Government,'' he said, perhaps implying that the BJP could use them politically to more advantage just before the next Lok Sabha election if the game-plan was to "polarise'' the Hindu-Muslim votes.

The allies are also pointing out that since the Vajpayee Government came into office there had been only one meeting of the NDA parliamentary party, where Atal Behari Vajpayee was elected the leader (before he was sworn-in as Prime Minister). The complaint is that there has been a lack of coordination between the allies and on every important issue.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/22/stories/2002032204400100.htm

Sparks fly over Hindutva issue

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI MARCH 21.The simmering tension between the NDA constituents and a section of the BJP over the Hindutva issue burst into the open in the Lok Sabha today and the House was adjourned for over an hour to prevent a physical clash between the two sides.

The situation turned ugly during zero hour as a two MPs belonging to the JD(U) and the INLD were heckled and berated by Vinay Katiyar and Adityanath while making their making their submissions. Though the timely action by the Deputy Speaker, P.M. Sayeed, in adjourning the House for over an hour put an end to the fight, the battle continued to rage even after the House was adjourned, and, later outside it.

Soon after Mr. Sayeed adjourned the House, Mr. Katiyar and Mr. Adityanath, supported by Shanker Prasad Agarwal of the BJP, moved aggressively towards Devendra Prasad Yadav of the JD(U) and Sushil Indora of the INLD for some remarks they had made against the "saffron brigade''. A shouting match and an eye-ball-to-eye ball confrontation took place. But the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pramod Mahajan, and Digvijay Singh moved swiftly to separate the two sides.

Mr. Yadav, in his submission, referred to the "atmosphere of tension" in the country because of the "irresponsible behaviour of certain outfits of the Sangh Parivar''. These organisations were behaving as if they were above the law, were challenging the courts, and had even disregarded the Prime Minister's appeal. He attacked the VHP for threatening to take out "asthi yatras '' and said that it was bound to ignite communal passions and "lead to the disintegration of the country.''

He also questioned the VHP's right to speak on behalf of the entire Hindu society .'' Who is the VHP, who has given this saffron outfit the certificate to speak on behalf of the Hindus,'' he asked and made it clear that the "hardline Hindutva agenda that the VHP was propagating was not part of the NDA agenda. "If this had been a part of the agenda we would never have joined the NDA,'' said Mr. Yadav.

Mr. Indora said that secular Hindus were being targeted by hardline Hindutva activists and referred to an incident in his constituency where certain priests occupied a piece of land and were holding "kirtans" and when requested by the neighbourhood to cut it short because of the ongoing school examinations, they refused.'' These people believe they are the only guardians of the Hindus'' he said. He had barely spoken for a couple of minutes when he was rudely interrupted by Mr. Adityanath and Mr. Katiyar. "You cannot attack the Sangh Parivar like this,'' he said and was joined by Mr. Adityanath, who accused the members of "betraying the NDA by talking like this".

Irked by the show of aggression, other allies, the TDP, the Trinamool Congress and the Samata Party also protested vehemently. "This is unacceptable and we should be allowed to speak,'' said S. Venugopal of the TDP. Speaking to the media outside the House, Raghunath Jha (Samata) demanded a ban on the proposed "asthi yatra" of the VHP. "This will lead to a communal conflagration, if they do not ban it we will be forced to withdraw support to the NDA,'' he said

The issue was initially raised by the former Prime Minister, Deve Gowda, who drew the attention of the House to the grave situation in the country. He appealed to the Prime MInister and the Home Minister to stop the VHP from going ahead with the "asthi yatra" as it would lead to more bloodshed.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/22/stories/2002032204390100.htm

NHRC rejects Gujarat Govt. report

Ahmedabad March 21. Observing that a sense of insecurity still prevailed among the people in Gujarat, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today rejected as "perfunctory" the preliminary report of the State Government on the recent violence and demanded a "more comprehensive" document in the next few days.

"The situation in the State is far from normal. There is a sense of insecurity among the people," the NHRC Chairman, Justice J.S. Verma, told a news conference here. Mr. Justice Verma, who is on a three-day visit to the State, said he had told the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, that the preliminary report was not comprehensive and was done perfunctorily.

"We expect the State Government to file a comprehensive report on the situation in the next few days." He said the Commission would come out with recommendations outlining measures to ensure that such incidents did not recur anywhere in the country.

The four-member Commission is also scheduled to visit Godhra and Baroda. It comprises the secretary-general, P.C. Sen, the special reporter, Chaman Lal, and the personal secretary of the Chairman, Y.S.R. Murza.To a question about the "late intervention" by the NHRC, he dispelled any doubt on this score, saying, "We act as a facilitator and are not vested with any administrative powers. But the NHRC took a suo motu notice of the developments in Gujarat immediately after the incidents of violence began. We had sent a notice to the State Government on the basis of reports in the media. But the preliminary report was not comprehensive, it had lot of gaps and was done perfunctorily."

"We have not come here with any assumption or presumption. We will go back and then collate the information before deciding on what re commendations need to be made to ensure that such incidents don't recur anywhere — that is my mandate," he said. Although the Commission was still garnering information, its broad perception was that the return of normality, as claimed by the Government, was not "real" but "deceptive". Mr. Justice Verma said that his visit to several relief camps had made him realise that mutual trust between the communities was yet to be re-established.— PTI, UNI

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/22/stories/2002032204410100.htm

Gujarat backtracks

By Manas Dasgupta

GANDHINAGAR MARCH 22. In an apparent bid to wriggle out of the tight spot it finds itself in over the alleged discriminatory use of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), the Gujarat Government, on the eve of the joint session of Parliament, has decided to withdraw for the time being the application of POTO against those arrested in connection with the Godhra train carnage.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/23/stories/2002032303670100.htmAllies reassured of adherence to NDA agenda

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 22. At a stormy meeting of National Democratic Alliance leaders here this evening, a renewed commitment to adhere to the letter and spirit of the common NDA agenda was made after the BJP's allies articulated their "unhappiness" at the manner in which "divisive issues" outside the NDA agenda had been repeatedly raised in recent weeks.

The allies could not be "silent spectators" to events that had deepened the communal divide in the country. The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, and the Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee, were among those who spoke forcefully on the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, the recent Ayodhya developments and the communal carnage in Gujarat.

At the two-and-a-half hour meeting, the Union Home Minister, L.K. Advani, was forced to "clarify'' that there had been no selective use of POTO against the minorities. He said he had immediately taken up the matter with the Gujarat Government. Over 10,000 pre-emptive arrests had been made in Gujarat "without any bias towards or against any community.''

It seems that only after this assurance that Dr. Abdullah was "persuaded'' to give his party's support for the POTO legislation that is coming up before a joint sitting of both the Houses of Parliament on March 26.

A major grouse of the allies was that the current consultations on important issues were not enough. A unanimous statement adopted at the meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, accepted the suggestion for "more frequent and extensive consultations''. There would also be joint NDA parliamentary party meetings, at least once during every parliamentary session.

Apparently, it was clarified that the BJP was as embarrassed as the allies were with the manner in which Sangh Parivar outfits had raised issues, even defying constitutional bodies such as the Supreme Court.

In response to questions, the Defence Minister and NDA convener, George Fernandes, who was briefing the media, said the allies did not raise the controversial Bangalore resolution of the RSS.

Earlier, leaders of the key allies and supporting parties of the NDA met informally and sent out a strong message that the Vajpayee Government must adhere to the NDA agenda for governance. They favoured enforcing a code of conduct. The message was that if the BJP's Sangh Parivar loyalists felt free to articulate the RSS agenda or that of its affiliates such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal, it would be a free for all. The allies would not sit silently and watch helplessly as the nation's secular fabric was torn apart.

The view was that BJP MPs must stop pleading the VHP's cause in Parliament and the Government must make every effort to rein in its "wild siblings" in the Sangh Parivar. But there was also another underlying theme. The problems within the NDA must be solved without destabilising the Government.

Later, talking to reporters informally, Sudip Bandopadhyaya (Trinamool) said that in the current atmosphere putting a stop to the reported plan of taking out "asthi yatras'' (processions carrying the ashes of the Godhra outrage victims) was a must. Such processions could only worsen the communal tension that had gripped Gujarat. And with festivals such as Holi and Muharram round the corner, nothing should be allowed which could disrupt peace and harmony.

This informal meeting was attended by Yerran Naidu (Telugu Desam Party), Ms. Banerjee and Mr. Bandopadhyaya (Trinamool), Raghunath Jha and Prabhunath Singh (both Samata Party), D.P. Yadav (Janata Dal-United), Jai Narain Prasad Nishad (Lok Jan Shakti), Sushil Indora (INLD) and Ali Mohammed Naik and Abdul Rashid (both National Conference), although the Prime Minister's men were reportedly active trying to get the meeting scuttled.

The effect of the informal confabulations was felt even before the formal NDA meeting got started. The Gujarat Government announced that neither the VHP-proposed "asthi yatras'' would be taken out, nor would the Muslims' `tajia' Muharram processions next week. The charges under Muslims arrested for the Godhra outrage would not be proceeded under POTO.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/23/stories/2002032303650100.htm

VHP denies plans for `asthi yatra'

AYODHYA MARCH 22. Under attack from secular parties, the NDA constituents and minority organisations, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today denied it had any plans to take the ashes of the Godhra train carnage victims to all parts of the country.

While stating that it had no plans for an `asthi yatra', the VHP's international general secretary, Praveenbhai Togadia, expressed satisfaction that the matter had been discussed in Parliament.

At a press conference here, he wondered whether the "so-called" secular parties wanted to impose restrictions on the Hindu community by snatching away its right to mourn the death of `Ram sevaks' in Godhra. He regretted that these parties had not raised their voice when Hindus were massacred in Kashmir and over three lakh people were made refugees.

"The Hindu community in the country is feeling totally insecure. The duty of saving their honour is with the VHP now." Mr. Togadia said the next phase of the Ram temple movement would aim at getting back 67 acres of the acquired land. Religious leaders would meet at Haridwar, Rishikesh or any other pilgrim centre to chalk out the future programme.

The VHP leader said three programmes had been planned in the next phase of agitation, beginning June 2. They are daily `Ram naam jap' (chanting of Lord Ram's name), weekly `Ram naam jap' in lakhs of villages across the country and a `Ram naam jap yagna' in Ayodhya.

Demanding that the entire 67 acres of land, including the sanctum sanctorum, be handed over to the VHP, Mr. Togadia said that if necessary, Parliament should enact an legislation for the purpose. The demand was "non-negotiable" and the Government and the Muslim community should respect the sentiments of Hindus in this regard.

In Gandhinagar, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, welcomed the VHP's decision and also that of the Tajiya Committee on not taking out a Moharram procession. "The decision against taking out the `asthi yatra' and the Moharram procession in the State would be appropriate in the prevailing situation," he said in a statement here.

"It will be our joint effort to restore peace again," Mr. Modi said and appealed to the people to observe Holi and Moharram with simplicity in view of the tense situation in the State.

In Ahmedabad, the State VHP general secretary, Jaideep Patel, said that as of now his organisation had no programme that would entail public participation. "We can't think of taking out an `asthi yatra' or sending `Ram sevaks' to Ayodhya in view of the tense situation prevailing in parts of the State." — PTI

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/23/stories/2002032303660100.htm

RSS stands by resolution

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE MARCH 22. The leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, K. S. Sudarshan, today reiterated the Sangh's stand on Muslims as articulated in the March 17 "Bangalore Resolution." The resolution had categorically stated, in response to the Godhra incidents, that the Muslims must understand that their real safety lay in the goodwill of the majority. He was speaking at the sixth national-level discussion between the RSS and Christian leaders at the United Theological College here.

Mr. Sudarshan chose the occasion of the sixth dialogue between the RSS and the Christian religious leaders in 18 months to point out that everywhere in the world, the minority groups had to "learn to keep peace with the majority group." However, he evaded a question at a press conference later on how the minority could earn the goodwill of the majority. He merely said thousands of Hindus were hounded out of Kashmir. They were a mere three per cent of the population, yet they were not allowed to live in peace in their homeland.

In his speech that lasted more than 80 minutes, Mr. Sudarshan dwelt on "touchy issues'' like "saffronisation of education," and the minorities' "penchant" for "forgetting the shared histories and the past,'' despite the fact that they had been Hindus a few generations ago.

He said the so-called "saffronisation of education" was not intended to force Hinduism on anyone, but to "right certain historical wrongs which have persisted despite 50 years of Independence, thanks to Leftist and pro-West leanings of intellectuals who are entrusted with the task of writing textbooks.''

Mr. Sudarshan voiced concern over "mass conversions." Conflicts arose when proponents of one religion insisted that "our way is the only way'' and took to inducements and psychological pressure to force conversions.

Today's discussion, according to the joint press release from the RSS and the Christian leaders, was an "attempt to understand the RSS ideology of reuniting and rejuvenating Hindus of this country, and how the minorities fit into the scheme of things."

The March 17 resolution of the RSS was discussed at length, but inconclusively, as it had apparently "confused'' the minorities who did not quite know how to "earn the goodwill of the majority group." The security and safety of the minorities and the interpretation of "Swadeshi church" as the RSS terms it, were also discussed.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2002/03/23/stories/2002032303680100.htm