Maharastrian Killed another UP walla

The killing of UP migrant Dharamdev Rai by a group of Marathi youth in a local train in Mumbai, has taken a political turn, with UP Chief Minister Mayawati seeking the Prime Minister’s intervention on this matter. Mayawati announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the family of Dharamdev Rai, who hailed from Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, UPA allies Lalu Prasad Yadav and Ram Vilas Paswan have demanded stern against MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Maharashtra government. Without naming any state, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav threatened to suspend train movement in states where rail passengers and properties are repeatedly attacked. The Railway Minister announced a compensation of Rs. 3 lakh for Dharamdev Rai’s family.

Both Lalu and Paswan slammed the Maharashtra government over the growing attacks against North Indians. Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh, whose party is supporting the UPA government at the Centre, has decided to take on the Maharashtra government and chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

 

Bihari Youth killed by Mumbai Police

Mumbai Police Killed Bihari Youth in BEST Bus Rahul Raj, an unemployed youth from Bihar, who was carrying gun in a BEST bus in Mumbai, was shot dead by the police after he challenged them and opened fire. According to sources, the person was a “mentally challenged” one. He shouted slogans against MNS chief Raj Thackeray and threatened to opened fire. The Mumbai Police asked him to surrender. The scuffle continued for a while and the person opened fire, forcing the cops to retaliate. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was brought dead. The conductor of the bus was injured in the scuffle. He is being treated in Rajawadi Hospital in Mumbai. Rahul Raj had come to Mumbai on October 24 in search of job and he was in a depressed condition, according to his friends. The killing of Rahul Raj has sparked off a major controversy and it has taken a political colour. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has termed the killing of Rahul Raj as unwarranted and demanded a proper inquiry into the incident. He accused the Mumbai Police of excess against Rahul Raj. The Union Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the Maharashtra DGP on this issue.

 

Sachin Lier and bad Sport

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) finally announced the Credit Policy. All key rates including the CRR, repo rate and reverse repo rate were kept unchanged. The GDP growth forecast was lowered to 7.5%. The RBI admitted that moderating growth remains a concern. the Central Bank expects resumption of export growth during the next quarter. It also hopes that net capital flow will meet the external financial requirements. The RBI has decided to enhance liquidity if pressure on the market persists. Here are the key features of RBI’s Credit Policy: All key rates including CRR, repo rate and reverse repo rate unchanged SLR norms unchanged GDP Growth Forecast lowered to 7.5% Inflation target was unchanged at 7% Credit Growth target lowered to 20% from 29%

In a shocking development, former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who can’t even be compared with the great Sachin Tendulkar, accused him of lying during the Sydney Test to save his team mate Harbhajan Singh. In his latest autobiography, “True Colors of My Life”, Adam Gilchrist has called Sachin Tendulkar “dishonest”, “liar” and “bad sport”. It could be a publicity stunt by Gilchrist to gain publicity for his book

The Indian Rupee continued to slide further, as it opened at an all-time-low of 50.15 against the US Dollar. Yesterday, it was closed at 49.81 against the USD. For the first time in history, the Rupee breached the psychological barrier of 50.00, causing panic in the market. As the trading progresses today, Rupee is feared to dip further.

Angry students protesting against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and its chief Raj Thackeray, set Motihari Railway Station on fire. Ironically, the mob fury was so high that GRP (Government Railway Police), RPF (Railway Protection Force) and police personnel fled from the spot, leaving the Railways Station at the mercy of rampaging students. Later, CRPF intervened and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the mob. The CRPF personnel had to resort to lathicharge and lobbed teargas shells to control the mob violence. Railway properties have been attacked elsewhere in Bihar for the third consecutive day. According to Railways, properties worth Rs. 5 – 7 crore have been destroyed by angry students. Several Bihar-bound trains including Rajdhani, Sampark Kranti and others have been cancelled, causing high inconvenience to the passengers. The passengers are not even able to get correct information regarding the cancellation, departure or reschedule of trains.

Even as the global economy has reached a bottom low, the Asia-Europe meeting will begin in Beijing to discuss important issues including the economic cooperation. India makes its debut at the ASEM with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh (an Economist himself) representing India. Dr. Manmohan Singh is expected to provide vital suggestion on how to handle the global economic crisis. The ASEM has 45 countries with China taking the centre stage. The ASEM group includes 27 EU countries, the European Commission, ASEAN (10 countries), India, Pakistan, Mongolia and ASEAN Secretariat.

A sport-loving country of over 1.3 billion people and great cricketers across the world are outraged over the latest remarks made by former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist. Adam Gilchrist, who was considered as a “saint” in modern day cricket, called legendary Sachin Tendulkar as “dishonest” and “bad sport” in his latest autobiography, “True Colours My Life” which will be released next week. In his book, “True Colours of My Life”, Adam Gilchrist showed his true colours by raking up the racism row between Harbhajan and Symnonds during the Sydney Test. He accused Sachin Tendulkar of lying and being dishonest. According to Adam Gilchrist, Harbhajan Singh had made a racial remark against Andrew Symonds, but was let off with mild punishment only because of Sachin Tendulkar’s “false testimony”. Adam Gilchrist, who retired from test cricket recently, not only questioned Sachin Tendulkar’s honesty, but also criticised Harbhajan, Indian team, Indian Board (BCCI) and Australian Board (Cricket Australia) over this issue. Gilchrist’s latest tirade against Sachin Tendulkar has upset millions of cricket fans across the globe. Since Gilchrist is the skipper of Hyderabad Deccan Chargers in the IPL, it would be interesting to see, what price he will have to pay for his “irresponsible” and “condemnable” outburst against a legend, who has nothing to prove in cricket.

 

Railway station set ablaze

Situation in Bihar continued to be tense, as thousands of students have come out in open protesting against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and its chief Raj Thackeray. All Bihar-bound trains have been cancelled or disrupted following the violent protests by angry students. As many as 15 Bihar-bound trains have been cancelled and seven trains have been rescheduled. The prominent among the cancelled trains are New Delhi-Guwahati Sampark Kranti Express, Delhi–Malda Farakka Express, Puri Express, New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express and Howrah Express and the Sealdah Express. The Mahananda Express, the Northeast Express, the Howrah Express and the New Delhi-Guwahati Rajdhani Express have been rescheduled. Meanwhile, the Railways have refused to run trains in Bihar unless the Bihar government provides adequate security to trains and staffs. The issue has taken a political colour with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar coming to face-to-face over this issue. The cancellation of trains has caused immense trouble to people in New Delhi and Patna, as thousands of people were left stranded.

Motihari railway station in Bihar was set ablaze on Thursday by students protesting against Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, a senior Railways official said in Patna on Thursday. The ongoing violent students’ protest took an ugly turn when a portion of Motihari railway station was set ablaze after the students ransacked the station. A Railways source in Motihari said that offices of the station master and others were set ablaze by students. “Offices of the railway station are burning as no move was made to stop it,” sources said. After the police was informed about the incident, a fire brigade vehicle was sent to railway station but it was badly damaged by students. The local administration and the police remained mere mute spectator to the violence.

 

18 killed in Bharatpur

At least 18 people including 10 children were killed and over 20 injured when a firecracker explosion took place in an illegal firecracker factory in Deeg town in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district. According to sources, the blast caused a major fire in the area and a few nearby houses were gutted by it. The injured are being treated in a local hospital. The police are investigating the matter. Further details are awaited.

The market meltdown continues… While the Dow Jones (down 551 points) and Nasdaq (down 81 points) crashed by a huge margin tonight, the Indian market opened on a disastrous note this morning. The BSE Sensex crashed by over 450 points to go below 10,000 mark. The Sensex was trading at 9,721 points when reports last came in. The Nifty too witnessed a sharp decline in it stocks and went below 3,000 mark for the first time since July 2006. All Asian markets opened in deep red, while markets in Brazil, Chile, Russia and Europe too witnessed a slump. The crude oil prices fell further to reach $67 per barrel. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown acknowledged for the first time that the global economic downturn may push the UK towards recession.

After the pay shock from the Union Government, the Army Officers got another jolt, as the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has recommended the abolition of batmen or orderlies for them, terming the system as a “shameful practice”. The committee urged the defence ministry to abolish the orderly or sahayak system with immediate effect. It was a practice, which existed since the colonial era. The committee said that jawans are recruited for serving the nation and not to serve the family members of officers in household work. The Parliamentary Committee termed this as demeaning and humiliating. The report of the Parliamentary Committee was tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday. The committee believed that orderlies or sahayaks were misused by many officers and were forced to do lowly work such as taking kids to schools, washing clothes and taking the dogs to walk.

MNS Chief Raj Thackeray was granted bail in Kalyan case by the Kalyan court. Raj had to pay a personal bond of Rs. 15,000 to get the bail. Raj Thackeray also granted an interim bail in Dombivali rioting case and other cases till October 24. After the Kalyan court granted bail to Raj Thackeray, MNS activists erupted into joy and celebrations across Maharashtra. Raj Thackeray will remain a free man till October 24.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has denounced the divisive politics played by MNS chief Raj Thackeray and announced that Congress will take on Raj Thackeray and politicians like him if needed. He also sent a veiled threat to Raj Thackeray and MNS workers in Mumbai, who have held the city to ransom over the last few days or months. Rahul Gandhi was addressing a press conference in Dehradun. He also stressed on the need for organizations reforms for Congress and advocated the active participation of youth in Congress politics. “I am not Congress’ Yuvraj. I don’t like such terms being used”, said Rahul replying to the questions of media persons.

The Maharashtra Cabinet approved an ordinance, which will ensure that hooligans destroying public property would be forced to compensate for the loss. The ordinance comes in the wake of ongoing violence by MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his supporters across Maharashtra. According to Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (who is also in charge of Home Ministry) RR Patil, the ordinance will have provisions under which destruction of public property will be subject a to a hefty fine up to Rs. 25,000 and jail up to five years. The ordinance has been approved by the State Cabinet and will be sent to the Governor for ratification.

Thousands of students in Bihar came to the streets to protest against MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his tirade against the North Indians. Train and road traffic have come to an halt in several places. Several trains including the Aurangabad-Mumbai Express were stopped by angry students. Violent protests have been reported from Barh, Sasaram and Patna. According to latest reports, a group of students set Durg Express on fire in Barh. At least three AC coaches of Durg Express were affected by the fire. The security personnel have been rushed to the spot. All passengers are reportedly safe. The police had to open fire in the air to disperse the violent students in Sasaram. At least four students were injured in the incident.

Maharashtra News! Mumbai News! At least three people were killed and scores of injured in the violent clashes in Dombivali area last night. The MNS workers went on a rampage in the late night and burnt shops around the Manpada police station in Dombivali, where Raj Thackeray was stationed. The MNS activists also indulged in stone pelting and damaged over 200 vehicles. They set many houses and a hotel on fire. Clashes occurred between the locals and MNS activists, resulting in the death of three people. Raj Thackery’s wife Sharmila Thackeray, who became active after his husband’s arrest, went on a dharna or sit-in after she was denied a meeting with Raj Thackeray. Meanwhile, the Mumbai police filed an application in Vikhroli court for the cancellation of Raj Thackeray’s bail, which was granted to him on February 12, 2008. The police have charged him for rioting in Dombivali. Separate cases have been registered against Raj Thackeray in Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Solapur, Thane and Chalisgaon. Raj Thackeray’s lawyers have also filed an application in Jamshedpur court to quash the case registered against him there. Raj Thackeray will be produced in the Kalyan court after 2 PM. The Mumbai Police has decided to impose curfew in Kalyan from 11 AM to prevent any untoward incidents.

October 22, 2008 – India made history in space science today by joining the elite club of countries that have sent space missions to moon. India’s dream moon mission, Chandrayaan I was lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota today at 6.22 AM (IST). This is the first time India has sent an unmanned mission to moon. Chandrayaan I was launched on schedule without any glitch. Scientists confirmed that launch of Chandrayaan I was completely successful and it is heading in a right direction. Not only over a billion people in the country, but also millions across the world witnessed India’s entry into the elite club today. Chandrayaan 1 will take 11 days to reach the moon and it will spend around two years there. People of India rejoiced at the live telecast of India’s first-ever moon mission ‘Chandrayaan I’. Everyone was looking for Chandrayaan live. Scientists at ISRO jumped off their seat after the successful launch of Chandrayaan I. Chandrayaan 1 was put into orbit within 18 minutes of its launch. Chandrayaan launch became a big milestone in Indian history. The 1,380 kg (1.38 tonne) spacecraft, Chandrayaan 1 was put into orbit by India’s home-grown rocket PSLV-C11. It was PSLV’s 13 success in a row, as it already had launched 12 spacecrafts before the Chandrayaan launch. The Chandrayaan I is shaped like a cuboid or rectangular prism. Chandrayaan I carries 11 payloads – five from India and others from foreign countries. India became the third Asian country after Japan and China and sixth nation in the world to send a unmanned lunar mission to moon. ISRO (Indian Speace Research Organization) has already planned the Chandrayaan 2 mission in 2011. Besides India, the USA, Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China have already sent missions to moon. According to ISRO sources, India is planning a manned space mission in 2014 and a manner moon mission in 2020. Interestingly, China has planned a manned moon mission for 2024. The Chandrayaan -1 mission was built at a budget of $86 million (Rs. 386 cr). President Dr. Pratibha Patil, PM Dr. Manmohan Singh and many other top leaders have congratulated the scientists at ISRO and countrymen on the successful launch of Chandrayaan I. There is no doubt that ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) made the country proud.

At least 14 people were feared dead and 30 injured in a powerful bomb blast in Imphal, capital of Manipur. The bomb went off around 7.20 PM in the Ragallong village on the outskirts of Imphal. The injured have been rushed to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal. The police personnel have cordoned off the area and stepped up combing operation. The blast took place close to a Manipur Police commando complex.

 

Motherfucker of the Decade

Motherfucker of the Decade Mumbai, October 9: Toughening his stand against migrants, specially north Indians, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray indicated on Thursday that his party would launch more intense agitation on the issue. “Whatever happened so far was a trailer, a teaser. There are more to come,” the belligerent MNS chief said during an interactive session for online edition of a leading Marathi newspaper. You come as a paying guest and claim right of ownership over the house. This won’t be tolerated,” Thackeray said. “In Maharashtra, nine crore Marathi people are taken for granted and the remaining two crore, who are outsiders, are appeased,” he added. MNS would contest Lok Sabha polls, Raj said, adding that he would not go in for poll-alliances at the cost of interests of Marathi people. Ruling out his contesting elections, Raj said the Nano project would not have gone to Gujarat if he were the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Raj riled ruling politicians for failure to make an offer similar or better than the one made by Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to Tata. “Our politicians only think of their own constituencies, not the entire state. The Nano project is coming up in Sanand which is not Modi’s constituency. We lack this kind of vision in our state,” he said. “There is a new culinary dish being churned out in the political arena and it is called ‘spineless politician’ like the boneless chicken,” Raj said (means Raj is boneless Chicken) . “Give me power and I’ll fix everyone and everything using the language they best understand,” he added. “After my agitation (against non-Marathis), Marathi people are walking about with pride in their own state,” he claimed. Besides Mumbai, there is also unrest among Marathi population in rural Maharashtra as north Indians are making inroads into their area, the MNS chief said. “Former chief minister of Maharashtra, late Vasantdada Patil once said ‘there is Mumbai in Maharashtra but there is no Maharashtra in Mumbai’. Outsiders are deciding our future. Who has given them this right? They should go back to their native lands and make Mumbai out of their cities and towns,” Raj said. Asked if he would go for a poll alliance, Raj said, “I am not deliberately looking for any political alliance. But, I am open to any political party approaching us to form an alliance. I will, however, not abandon my agenda (the Marathi issue) at any cost.” On the emerging trend in Mumbai cooperative societies of selectively allowing people like vegetarians and specific communities, Raj said, “this is absolutely wrong and is being done purposely with support from parties like BJP.” Commenting on the likeness between him and his uncle and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Raj said, “I was born and brought up in that family. I do not consciously imitate him; it’s in my blood. My likeness to him is a matter of natural influence, something I cannot avoid.”

 

Terrible of the Decade

Terrible of the Decade Mumbai, October 9: Toughening his stand against migrants, specially north Indians, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray indicated on Thursday that his party would launch more intense agitation on the issue. “Whatever happened so far was a trailer, a teaser. There are more to come,” the belligerent MNS chief said during an interactive session for online edition of a leading Marathi newspaper. You come as a paying guest and claim right of ownership over the house. This won’t be tolerated,” Thackeray said. “In Maharashtra, nine crore Marathi people are taken for granted and the remaining two crore, who are outsiders, are appeased,” he added. MNS would contest Lok Sabha polls, Raj said, adding that he would not go in for poll-alliances at the cost of interests of Marathi people. Ruling out his contesting elections, Raj said the Nano project would not have gone to Gujarat if he were the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Raj riled ruling politicians for failure to make an offer similar or better than the one made by Gujarat CM Narendra Modi to Tata. “Our politicians only think of their own constituencies, not the entire state. The Nano project is coming up in Sanand which is not Modi’s constituency. We lack this kind of vision in our state,” he said. “There is a new culinary dish being churned out in the political arena and it is called ‘spineless politician’ like the boneless chicken,” Raj said (means Raj is boneless Chicken) . “Give me power and I’ll fix everyone and everything using the language they best understand,” he added. “After my agitation (against non-Marathis), Marathi people are walking about with pride in their own state,” he claimed. Besides Mumbai, there is also unrest among Marathi population in rural Maharashtra as north Indians are making inroads into their area, the MNS chief said. “Former chief minister of Maharashtra, late Vasantdada Patil once said ‘there is Mumbai in Maharashtra but there is no Maharashtra in Mumbai’. Outsiders are deciding our future. Who has given them this right? They should go back to their native lands and make Mumbai out of their cities and towns,” Raj said. Asked if he would go for a poll alliance, Raj said, “I am not deliberately looking for any political alliance. But, I am open to any political party approaching us to form an alliance. I will, however, not abandon my agenda (the Marathi issue) at any cost.” On the emerging trend in Mumbai cooperative societies of selectively allowing people like vegetarians and specific communities, Raj said, “this is absolutely wrong and is being done purposely with support from parties like BJP.” Commenting on the likeness between him and his uncle and Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray, Raj said, “I was born and brought up in that family. I do not consciously imitate him; it’s in my blood. My likeness to him is a matter of natural influence, something I cannot avoid.”

 

Raj Thackeray has been sent to judicial custody

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Terrorist group MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has been sent to judicial custody till November 4. Raj Thackeray’s bail plea was rejected by the Bandra Court. Although Raj got the bail in the Chetna College violence in Kherwadi after producing a bail bond of Rs. 15,000, he was denied the same in the Kalyan violence case. Raj was taken into custody by the Kalyan police. Since the Mumbai Police did not demand Raj’s custody, he was sent to judicial custody by the court. Raj Thackeray was charged with provoking violence under Section 153. He was also charged for “creating mischief”, “intent to cause riots” and “causing damage to property”. The court’s decision came as a major setback for Raj Thackeray and his supporters who expected Raj to be released on bail. Security has been beefed up in and around Mumbai, as the police anticipate more trouble after the rejection of Raj Thackeray’s bail plea.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray [Images], who was arrested early Tuesday morning, has been sent to two-week judicial custody by a court in suburban Bandra in Mumbai where he was produced around 2.50 pm. Two truckloads of Rapid Action Force personnel were stationed outside the court for security. Even before Raj Thackeray was produced in the Bandra court in Mumbai, over 2,000 slogan-raising supporters had gathered there, and the police resorted to a lathi-charge to bring the situation under control around Tuesday noon. MNS supporters resorted to stone-pelting at police vehicles outside the Bandra court. The supporters also stoned a police van carrying detained MNS activists. Reports from across Mumbai spoke of voluntary bandh at many places, and many schools shut down for the day anticipating trouble. Local trains reported a slight delay, while there was no disruption in road traffic on the main arteries. Violence erupted in several parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra following the arrest of MNS chief Raj Thackeray in the early hours of Tuesday from the Circuit House in Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Angry activists of the MNS came out on the streets after the arrest of Raj Thackeray and attacked several taxis and autorickshaws at Mumbai Central, Parel, Borivali and other parts of the city. Incidents of arson were also reported from the Mulund check naka in the eastern suburbs. A mob of party workers have also blocked the Mumbai-Goa highway. The police said security has been beefed up across Mumbai to meet any eventuality in the wake of the arrest of Raj Thackeray. The State Reserve Police has also been deployed near Raj Thackeray’s residence in Dadar. Raj Thackeray was arrested under several Indian Penal Code sections, including assault, obstructing government officials from discharging their duty and giving provocating speeches. Raj Thackeray was arrested for Sunday’s brutal attack on north Indian railway exam candidates by MNS workers. A case was registered in this connection against Raj Thackeray and his supporters at the north-west Mumbai police station of Kherwadi, after MNS workers attacked 13 railway board examination centres in suburban Mumbai to protest against “inadequate representation” to locals. The arrest of the MNS chief comes against the backdrop of mounting pressure on the Maharashtra government to rein in Raj Thackeray and his activists. Earlier, a combative Raj Thackeray had justified Sunday’s attack on north Indians and warned the state that it will have to “regret” the consequences in the event of his arrest. “Arrest me and be ready to bear the consequences…. You will have to regret,” Raj Thackeray, who was attending a ceremony at Bahadursheikh Naka in Chiplun in the state on Monday, said. “If Raj is arrested, entire Maharashtra will be set on fire,” he threatened. Meanwhile, incidents of violence were reported across Mumbai allegedly by the MNS activists. Taxis parked at Tardeo in south Mumbai were damaged by some unknown miscreants who fled on motorcycles, the police said. Two separate incidents were reported in the north-west suburb of Borivali where miscreants attempted to burn trucks, they added. There were also reports of some unidentified men throwing stones at the suburban resident of Congress spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam. Meanwhile, schools in suburban Mumbai have been closed as a preventive measure following the arrest of MNS chief. Bsides, security has been beefed up in Mumbai to thwart any untoward incident, the police said. Reacting sharply to his leader’s arrest, MNS spokesperson Shirish Parkar said, “There was no substance in the allegations against Raj Thackeray. The state government was acting at the behest of the Centre.” Parkar described the arrest of Raj Thackeray as “vengeance” and political “conspiracy” by the Maharashtra government.

Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today demanded “stringent action” against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray , saying that arrest is not enough to deter him from spreading his campaign against north Indians. “Raj Thackeray is repeatedly organising attacks on North Indians. So by just arresting him is not enough and more stringent action should be taken against him,” Prasad told reporters one the sidelines of a railway seminar. Terming Thackeray as the leader of antisocial elements, Prasad said he is spreading “hatred and divisive campaign” against north Indians which is not good for a secular democracy. “Even Dalits were not spared and attacked by his men,” he added. Clubbing MNS with the Bajrang Dal, the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief reiterated his demand for banning both the organisations. “Like the Bajrang Dal, Thackeray’s party is also spearheading a hatred campaign and both should be banned,” he said. Prasad announced that those students who could not appear in the railway examination due to the disruption created by the MNS, would be allowed to appear again. A date for re-examination would be announced soon, said Prasad. Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Vilas Paswan and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh felt that Thackeray could be out on bail soon and non-Maharashtrians could be targeted again. Congress MP Priya Dutt said by arresting only Thackeray, attacks on north Indians could not be stopped. Paswan, Union minister for steel, chemicals and fertilisers, said, “Thackeray will be out on bail soon and again indulge in violent activities. The Centre should take steps like use of Article 355 or something similar to control the situation in Maharashtra.. The prevailing situation in the state was “dangerous” and the administration has “failed” to do anything, he said. SP general secretary Amar Singh described Thackeray’s arrest as a “reactionary” step by the Maharashtra government. “Raj Thackeray’s arrest by Mumbai police was a reactionary step and by afternoon he would be released, and no action will be taken against him,” he said. Accusing state Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil of playing the “divide and rule” game, Singh said they will never benefit from it. “The state government is playing the divide and rule game even as Raj Thackeray and his goons have been on a rampage. He will be released from custody by afternoon and his men will again start attacking north Indians,” Singh said. He said Maharashtra is an integral part of the country and Maharashtrians are loved by everybody but now everybody hates Maharashtrians, just like people from other parts of the country. “Even President Pratibha Patil is from Maharashtra, and still this (attack on north Indians) is happening in the state,” he said. Congress MP Dutt, while reacting to the news of the MNS chief’s arrest, felt that despite this step, attacks on non-Maharastrians will not stop. “This is ongoing…such attacks will not stop. Today, north Indians are being targeted, tomorrow people from other regions could be attacked. Such types of incidents should not be allowed to take place, and leaders cutting across party lines have condemned such incidents.”

 

Raj ka Gunda Raj

The Mumbai police has told the Bombay high court that it has not found any evidence against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray in connection with the violent agitation by his party for enforcing Marathi signboards in shops. Joint Commissioner of Police K L Prasad, in an affidavit, has also said the letters written by Raj asking shopkeepers in the city to put up Marathi signboards “do not make out any cognisable offence” as per law and judiciary separtment’s opinion. The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association had moved the high court in August seeking to restrain MNS from indulging in violence over the signboard issue. At the last hearing, the court had asked the government why no action was taken against Raj Thackeray. The hearing of the case has been adjourned till November 29. Earlier, Prasad’s remarks about Mumbai that the city does not belong to anyone’s father had triggered an angry reaction from Raj Thackeray.

The Jewel of Medina, a story of Ayesha, Prophet Mohammed’s third wife penned by American author Sherry Jones in the form of historical fiction, has been objected to by some Muslims in the United States. The book was published in America on October 6 but its publication in Britain has been delayed fearing protests. Muslim groups allege that the book is blasphemous and have branded the author an enemy of Islam. The controversy is getting quite like the Danish cartoon controversy which raised protests from many Islamic countries and India. According to American think-tank Stratfor, “The tone of the book is not the real issue. To many Muslims, not only is it offensive to ridicule Mohammed but it is forbidden and considered a dire insult to portray the Prophet in any way outside the context of Islamic writings. This insult is magnified when Mohammed is depicted having intimate relations with his wife, a revered figure in Islam who is referred to in many Islamic writings as Um ul Mumineen (Arabic for ‘Mother of the Believers’). Because of this, in all probability many Muslims — not just a few radicals — will find the book offensive.” Stratfor quotes an associate professor of Islamic history at the University of Texas at Austin who said Muslims would find the book very offensive. He has likened it to soft-core pornography. However, the author and publisher have argued that the book respectfully portrays Prophet Mohammed and his relationship with Ayesha — in stark contrast to the Danish cartoons that sparked so much protest and violence. Random House scrapped its plans to publish the book in the US because they thought Muslims could find book’s contents offensive. Later, Beaufort Books announced its publication. The book has been published in Serbia where it has drawn criticism. The book was withdrawn from the market in Serbia but, pirated copies are available. On September 27, according to the Stratfor report, three men were arrested outside the house of British publisher Martin Rynja of Gibson Square. They were reportedly forcing a small incendiary device through the front door mail slot of the home, which also serves as the headquarters for Gibson Square publishers. Three men were arrested shortly after the incident and have been charged in connection with the crime. The suspects reportedly have indicated that the attack was indeed related to the publication of The Jewel of Medina. In view of the past experience of controversies over Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses and Danish cartoons, Stratfor thinkers Fred Burton and Scott Stewart argue that “The Jewel of Medina has the potential to cause problems for many years. Though this issue might fade quickly from public consciousness in the West, the subject matter of the book has the potential to inflame Muslim activists again in the future.” Stratfor claims that in the case of the Prophet cartoons, Pakistani religious leaders admitted that they intentionally stirred up emotions connected with the publication of the images after the initial furore died down. It is thus quite possible that The Jewel of Medina will be used in the same way, but this timeframe could span decades. In the case of The Satanic Verses, large-scale protests condemning the book and Rushdie occurred as recently as fall 2007, 19 years after the novel’s publication.” Stratfor writers claim, “We are not necessarily predicting an immediate open season on Sherry Jones or the publishers of the book, but precautions should obviously be taken to prevent them from becoming the next Theo van Gogh [the Dutch film-maker who was killed for making a controversial film on Islam]. And as the ancillary attacks in the Rushdie case (among others) have shown, other people also can become victims, and violence can be channelled in unexpected ways and appear in unexpected places.” On the wider implication of the book the Stratfor report concludes, “When it comes to perceptions of blasphemy and other affronts that some see as warranting death, fatwas often are carried out with extreme brutality — and those targeted have not always been directly associated with the initial offence. Considering past examples and the probable emotions The Jewel of Medina will raise in the Islamic world, revenge for offended religious sensibilities might be brutal, and it might be a long time coming.”

While the downturn in Aviation sector and issue of Jet Airways lay off have become the biggest talk in India, the Air India is reportedly planning to give 3-5 years leave without pay to around 15,000 of its total staff. According to PTI sources, it was confirmed by Air India CMD Raghu Menon on Thursday. Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel later clarified that there won’t be any job cuts within Air India and the employees would be taken back on the same pay if they desire to return after the specified leave period.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray gave an ultimatum to Jet Airways to reinstate all sacked employees within 48 hours. Raj threatened Jet Airways of dire consequences if the airlines fails to comply with his ultimatum. Jet Airways has already fired 800 employees and is planning to sack another 1,100 within a few days. Meanwhile, the ruling CPI(M) in West Bengal has openly supported the sacked employees and decided to block all Jet Airways flights from Kolkata if the airlines does not reinstate the sacked employees with immediate effect. Shiv Sena in Mumbai has also supported the terminated Jet Airways employees. Meanwhile, the Centre has sought a detailed report from the Labour Secretary on Jet Airways lay off issue.