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Dual Symbolisms: Smriti Irani visits Madinah, Saudi Arabia, PM Narendra Modi runs a road show with UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Ahmedabad

sabrang — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 13:09:22 +0000

MUMBAI: Often accused of an aggressive and even brutal anti-minority governance policy, the Modi 2.0 union government came on strong on international pro-Islamic messaging Monday-Tuesday, January 8-9.

Union minister Smriti Irani on Monday led the first ever non-Muslim Indian delegation to Medina, one of Islam’s holiest cities in Saudi Arabia. During her visit, she interacted with Indian volunteers serving Haj pilgrims and Umrah pilgrims from India. She also took inputs to further improve the facilities for Indian pilgrims.

Meanwhile, in another much publicised pre-Vibrant Gujarat summit roadshow, PM Modi with UAE President, Mohamed Bin Zayed, held a roadshow in Ahmedabad

Both Modi and Irani were vocal on ‘X’ on the occasions.

PM Modi wrote on X on Tuesday, “Landed in Ahmedabad a short while ago. Over the next two days, will be taking part in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and related programmes. It is a matter of immense joy that various world leaders will be joining us during this Summit. The coming of my brother, HH Mohamed Bin Zayed is very special. I have a very close association with the Vibrant Gujarat Summit and I am glad to see how this platform has contributed to Gujarat’s growth and created opportunities for several people.”

Popular on her social media handles, Smriti Irani posted,

“Undertook a historic journey to Madinah today, one of Islam’s holiest cities included a visit to the periphery of the revered Prophet’s Mosque, Al Masjid Al Nabwi, the mountain of Uhud, and periphery of the Quba Mosque—the first Mosque of Islam,” Irani posted on X on Monday. She said the visit was “significant” as it “underscores the depth of our cultural and spiritual engagement.” Irani, accompanied by junior minister V Muraleedharan and officials from the ministries of Minority Affairs and External Affairs, visited the perimeter of Masjid-e-Nabwi or the Prophet’s mosque in Medina, which also houses Prophet Muhammad’s tomb.

Weighing in on Modi’s visit, BJP leader Haider Azam is reported to have said, “The Saudi authorities have now relaxed the bar on visits of non-Muslims to the holy city of Medina. It is good news that Mrs Irani visited Medina and reached the periphery of the Prophet’s Mosque. This will go a long way to further improve India-Saudi relationship.”

The lifting of the restriction is part of crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s many reforms in the Kingdom. The visit was part of the diplomatic mission, which also saw signing of a bilateral agreement on January 7 between the two nations for Haj 2024. According to the agreement, India got a total quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for Haj 2024.

Meanwhile, Modi is in Gujarat to revel in the Vibrant Gujarat summit, first launched by him during his second term as chief minister of the state. He is inaugurating the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The summit will be held from January 10 to 12, 2024. This year’s theme for the summit is ‘Gateway to the Future.’

However, it was the roadshow before the summit that received significant media attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan embarked on a roadshow in Ahmedabad Tuesday evening. Before their roadshow, Modi welcomed the United Arab Emirates president on the latter’s arrival at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport here. After that, the two leaders began their roadshow on a three kilometre-long route starting from the airport.

Elections 2024 and the Muslim Vote

It is hardly likely that the beleaguered and targeted (physically and ideologically) Indian Muslim community will be significantly swayed by such symbolisms. The fact, however, that April May 2024 will see a highly contested electoral race, with the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party banking on a crude and aggressive majoritarian discourse –politicising religion in brazen displays –every vote does indeed count. And the Indian Muslim community, multi-layered and far from homogenised may well –a miniscule 7-10 per cent of them–who’s business and property interests dominate –shift or get swayed by these publicised shenanigans.

Powerful international symbolisms, unlikely as they are to overcome hate speech and violent targeted crimes, can generate confusing narratives to shift focus and resolve. No wonder then, that the dual symbolisms of both events –in the first week of January 2024, weeks before the grand show of majoritarian Indian politics –the inauguration of a partially completed temple structure at Ayodhya on January 22 –built on the remains of what is arguably one of India’s most violent campaigns, that cost minority lives and property, is significant. Whether these will at all work, time only will tell.

Babri demolition to Ram Temple: A trajectory of Indian politics

The post Dual Symbolisms: Smriti Irani visits Madinah, Saudi Arabia, PM Narendra Modi runs a road show with UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Ahmedabad appeared first on SabrangIndia.

आचार संहिता का उल्लंघन करने के आरोप में स्मृति ईरानी के खिलाफ रिपोर्ट दर्ज

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 12:31:22 +0000

लखनऊ। यूपी चुनाव की तारीखों का ऐलान होते ही भारतीय जनता पार्टी और उसके नेता चुनाव जीतने के लिए तमाम तरह के पैंतरे अपना रहे हैं। तारीखों का ऐलान होती ही प्रदेश में आदर्श आचार संहिता लागू हो गई है लेकिन वोटरों को लुभाने के लिए भाजपा साम, दाम, दंड, भेद हर तरह के पैंतरे अपना रही है। इस काम में छोटे नेता ही नहीं केंद्रीय मंत्री भी लगे हुए हैं।

अभी कुछ दिन पहले भाजपा सांसद साक्षी महाराज ने वोटों का ध्रुवीकरण करने के लिए मुस्लिमों को लेकर गलतबयानी की थी। लेकिन अब बारी थी केंद्रीय कपड़ा मंत्री स्मृति ईरानी की। उन्होंने आचार संहिता का उल्लंघन कर वोटों को अपनी पार्टी के पाले में खींचने का प्रयास किया है।

दरअसल, केंद्रीय कपड़ा मंत्री स्मृति ईरानी ने अपने एक कार्यक्रम उड़ान के तहत बरेली के कांति कपूर छात्रा इंटर कॉलेज में छात्राओं और महिलाओं की एक सभा बुलाई थी। जिसके बाद इस बुलाई गई सभा को जिला प्रशासन ने आचार संहिता का उल्लंघन मानते हुए इस पर कार्रवाई की। ताज्जुब की बात है कि इस कार्यक्रम के लिए नियमों के मुताबिक कोई इजाजत नहीं ली गई थी।

आपको बता दें कि शिक्षण संस्थाओं में इस तरह के कार्यक्रम कराने पर आचार संहिता में पाबंदी भी है। कांति कपूर छात्रा इंटर कॉलेज के सभागार में छात्राओं और भाजपा महिला मोर्चा की महिलाओं की एक संयुक्त बैठक बुलाकर वहां उन्हें उड़ान कार्यक्रम के तहत एलईडी पर स्मृति ईरानी का प्रसारण दिखाया गया था।

इस कार्यक्रम में विभिन्न जिलों की छात्राओं और महिलाओं ने वीडियो कांफ्रेसिंग के जरिए स्मृति ईरानी से सीधे सवाल भी पूछे थे। हालांकि बरेली से किसी छात्रा अथवा महिला ने स्मृति ईरानी से कोई सवाल नहीं पूछा था। इस कार्यक्रम में कपड़ा मंत्री ईरानी ने कई बार भाजपा को विधानसभा चुनाव में वोट देने की अपील भी लोगों से की थी।

इसलिए जिला प्रशासन ने इसे आचार संहिता का उल्लंघन माना है। जिलाधिकारी पंकज यादव ने इस संबंध में कैंट विधानसभा क्षेत्र के रिटर्निंग अधिकारी और जिला विद्यालय निरीक्षक से रिपोर्ट तलब की है।

जिलाधिकारी का कहना है कि शिक्षण संस्थानों में चुनाव प्रचार करने की आदर्श आचार संहिता में पाबंदी है। चुनाव की घोषणा होने के बाद यहां राजकीय इंटर कॉलेज में लैपटाप बांटने के मामले को भी आचार संहिता का उल्लंघन मानते हुए कोतवाली में प्रथामिकी दर्ज कराई गई है।

Courtesy: National Dastak

The post आचार संहिता का उल्लंघन करने के आरोप में स्मृति ईरानी के खिलाफ रिपोर्ट दर्ज appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Why does the Modi Sarkar want to stymie AMU’s Off Campus Centres?

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 06:04:16 +0000

I distinctly remember the fierce debate when proposal of off campus Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Centres was first mooted by the Ministry for Human Resources Development (MHRD). Out of the university fraternity some opined them illegal, some considered legal but unfeasible; and rest perfectly intune with the sugegstion. The then University Vice Chancellor (VC) Naseem Ahmad rejected the idea initially but the next VC professor Azis placed it before University authorities and got their endorsement.

The story starts in 2002 when the then chief minister (CM) of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijay Singh as the Chief Guest in the Sir Sayyed’s Day function on October 17 put up a proposal of establishing off campus centres. Mr. Singh also offered 100 Acres of land for this purpose to the Gharib Nawaz Foundation (GNF). The Secretary of GNF visited AMU and met with the VC in 2003 and then GNF submitted its proposal of a second campus of AMU to Arjun Singh, Union HRD Minister.

The UGC on January 28, 2005 wrote a letter to the GNF informing them that it has asked AMU to submit a proposal. On March 13, 2005 the GNF again reminded Arjun Singh about the AMU off campus centres and requested him to “promulgate an ordinance in order to expedite the process as a first step in this direction” (Copies were of course sent to the VC, AMU). The Under Secretary MHRD wrote a letter to UGC on April 21, 2005 on the same lines and then on August 28, 2006 the Deputy Secretary, MHRD, wrote to the VC, complaining about the delays and suggested that the said Study Centres be established under section 12(2) of the AMU Act.

The story does not end here. In 2007, the Belgachia Education Trust (BET) through the then chief minister of West Bengal also requested the PM to establish an institution in WB on the model of AMU at Murshidabad. The MHRD then wrote to the AMU to establish a centre u/s 12(2) of the AMU Act. In view of no affirmative response by the then Registrar, the MHRD in June 2007 reprimanded him repeatedly.

The initial concept of centres in minority dominated areas was a very attractive idea, since it was a step towards the fulfillment of Sir Sayyed’s dream of furtherance of education among Muslims. However, the moment the above details came to light, there were a surge of queries, doubts, apprehensions and a sense of uneasiness that besieged people’s mind.

The most obvious questions/ action (s) was and is the requests of private trusts to promulgate an Ordinance! Who is this GNF and what locus did or does it possess ? If equipped with the professional potential why does it not establish a deemed University on its own? This and what was seen as arm twisting actions of the MHRD.

The University, the AMU, has virtually become caught, sandwiched as it were, in this tussle. First, we were pressed to establish them and now the same MHRD is bent upon closing them down! The initial financial proposal was of Rs. 1400 crores for the Malappuram and Murshidabad Centres; only Rs. 349.55 crores was sanctioned in theTwelfth Five Year plan by the UPA government. To date only Rs. 130 Crore of this has been released. There is only one more year left of this plan period and clearly, the present government is in no mood to give anything more.

Section 5(9A) of AMU (Amendment) Act, 1972 provides that the “University shall have power to establish within a radius of twenty five kilometers of the University Mosque such special Centres, specialized Laboratories or other units for research and instruction as are, in the opinion of the University, necessary for the furtherance of its objects”. While section 12 (2) of AMU (Amendment) Act, 1951 confirms that the University may also, with the sanction of the Visitor and subject to the Statutes and Ordinances, establish and maintain such Special Centres, Specialised Laboratories or such other institutions for research or instruction as are necessary for the furtherance of its objects either on its own or in cooperation or collaboration with any other institution.

Reading section 5(9A) with section 12 (2) provides that establishment of Centers subject to approval of the Visitor is legally permissible, since sec 12 (2) was enacted in 1951, while sec 5(9A) was subsequently incorporated in 1972, which empowers the University to establish Centers without Visitor’s approval but within a radius of twenty five kilometers of the University Mosque. These two sections are therefore not contradictory and for the same reason 12 (2) was not struck down when 5(9A) was incorporated in 1972. Nevertheless no such centers could be legalised without framing necessary statutes and ordinances vide statutes 23(2), 28(6) and 29(1), which the university did in the mean time.

The Preamble of the AMU Act of 1920 provides “An Act to incorporate a Teaching and Residential Muslim University at Aligarh”, the debate on residential character of the institution as per the preamble of the Act can only be decided by studying the all important question whether the Preamble is a part of the Constitution of India or not.

The Preamble to the Constitution of India sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document. For some time it was assumed that like the preamble of a statute, the preamble is not an integral part of the Indian Constitution, however, Kesavanada Bharati Case created a history and for the first time, Supreme Court has recognised that the Preamble to the Constitution of India is an integral part of the Constitution, Preamble is not a source of power nor a source of limitations and Preamble has a significant role to play in the interpretation of statues, also in the interpretation of provisions of the Constitution. The inference drawn is that residential character is a part of the Act but not absolute and there is certainly no ambiguity in the establishment of campuses/ Centers and this is perhaps the reason that hostel is not compulsory for the students since its inception and therefore provision of nonresident students does exist.

The President of India as the Visitor of the University accorded approval for the establishment of these Centres under Section 12(2) of the University Act. The Allahabad High Court through a bench comprising then Chief Justice F. I. Rebello and Justice A. P. Sahi dismissed a writ petition challenging the decision to establish two new centres of AMU at Malappuram and Murshidabad, since the same was duly approved by the President of India as the Visitor of the University. The Kerala High Court bench comprising Chief Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice P.N. Ravindran had earlier rejected the prayer for interim relief against the establishment of Aligarh Muslim University centre in Kerala.

The MAO College at the time of its establishment in 1877 by Sir Sayyed possessed only 78 acres of land which has now expanded to more than a thousand acres; almost another thousand acres of land is now further gifted by the respective states of Kerala, Bihar and West Bengal, which is a big leap forward. Still the full benefits of such Centers to the community may be far from reality in the absence of restoration of Minority status of the University, currently pending before the Supreme Court. Whatever service AMU has been rendering to the community, the same services these Centers are sought to be doing.

The AMU is always a victim of the politics be it at the hand of the Congress or the BJP, with different emphasis, but same results. First, it was the Congress through M.C. Chagla and professor Nurul Hasan and now it is the BJP through Smriti Irani. How pitiable it is, that a Cabinet minister of HRD, Ms Irani is so totally ignorant about the history of the creation/establihsment of these Centres and through a shallow understanding, is pinning blame on the present VC, Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah. Mr Shah also happens to be a former soldier and veteran of many a battle. The ultimate victim is the same, however: the underprivileged AMU despite the University being ranked second among Indian Universities.

Ms Irani is not speaking on her own rather it is the words of others in her mouth. The unfortunate reality is that there are some within Aligarians who are misguiding the MHRD. Earlier it was some of these elements with the BJP/RSS who were opposing these Centres; now being at the helm the BJP/RSS is furthering its own agenda. One thing is however clear: all those opposing Centres today are on the side of communal forces.

(The writer is professor of Enviromental Engineering at the Z.H. Z. H. College of Engineering & Technology, Aligarh)

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