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Volume : 1 Issue - 10 Dulkhada 1432 October - 2011 Pages - 8 Monthly Price : Rs. 10/Annual Subscription : Rs. 120/MP (Vellore), Amin Patel MLA & President - Maulana Azad Finance Corporation. A brief about G.M. Banatwalla (15 August 1933--25 June 2008) His family, the Memon Family, emigrated from Kutch of Gujarat to Mumbai of Maharashtra. He was born on August 15, 1933. His wife was Ayesha, who died in 1998. They had no children. He was a College Lecturer early in his life. Then he gave up his profession and came to politics and became a great active politician. He was elected to Lok Sabha seven times from the Ponnani constituency of Kerala. He made the record of more time elected Member of Parliament, from Kerala same as Mr. Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait. He entered politics with his great speech both in Urdu and English. He was known as an Educationist. In 1960, he became the General Secretary of Muslim In the same period, he was a corporation Councillor in Mumbai Corporation. In 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989, 1996, 1998 and 1999 he was elected from the Ponnani Constituency of Kerala. In 1986, he brought a private bill and which made an Act of the Muslim Women Protection of Rights on Divorce Act, by the Rajiv Gandhi Government. Later, he became the State President of Muslim League of Maharashtra. In 1973, he became the General Secretary of Indian Union Muslim League together with C.H. Mohammed Koya Saheb. Banatwala became the President of Indian Union Muslim League in 1993. Banathwala was a member of the All India Muslim Majlise-Mushawarat, Kutch Memon Jamaath, Muslim Personal Law Board, Aligarh Muslim University Court, etc.

Maharastra Honours G.M.Banatwalla!

Mumbai Corporation has decided to name a chowk after late Gulam Mehmood Banatwala, former parliamentarian and president of Indian Union Muslim League. The crossing of Ibrahim Rahmatullah Road and Ibrahim M Merchant Road will be named as G.M. Banatwala Chowk on 16th October. G.M. Banatwala (15 August 1933--25 June 2008) served as Loks Sabha member for seven times and represented Ponnani (Kerala) constituency from Indian Union Muslim League. Eminent guests at the naming ceremony will be E. Ahamed, National President IUML and Minister of State for External Affairs & HRD, Prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen, Ex MP and General Secretary - IUML, Milind Deora MP, Murli Deora, Former Union Minister, E.T. Mohammed Basheer MP (Ponnani), Abdul Rahman

The

League of Mumbai. In 1962, he was a candidate to the Legislative Assembly from the Umarkhadi Constituency of Maharastra, but he was defeated just for 400 votes. But in 1967, he won from the same constituency and became the rst member of Muslim League in the Maharastra Assembly. In 1972, he repeated his victory to the Legislative Assembly.

Unveiling Ceremony of Banatwalla Chowk - Mumbai

An Unvailing ceremony Ghulam Mehmood Banatwalla Chowk was held on Oct 16, 2011 in Mumbai City. The Ceremony was organised by Mumbai Corporation. The unveiling of the name was done by IUML National President and the Minister of State for External Affairs and Human Resource E. Ahmed in the presence of the farmer Central Minister Murali Deora. The parliament members Milind Deora, E.T. Basheer and Abdul Rahman and other degnitaries graced the ceremony.

October - 2011

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THE TIMES OF Monthly LEAGUE A Harmony of Hearts

Volume : 1 Issue - 10 Shawaal October - 2011 Pages - 12 Price : Rs. 10/-

Advanis RathYatra All Charioteers are not Sri Krishna

Holy Quran Speaks

197. For Hajj are the months well known. If any one undertakes that duty therein, Let there be no obscenity, nor wickedness, nor wrangling in the Hajj. And whatever good ye do, (be sure) Allah knoweth it. And take a provision (With you) for the journey, but the best of provisions is right conduct. So fear Me, o ye that are wise. 198. It is no crime in you if ye seek of the bounty of your Lord (during pilgrimage). Then when ye pour down from (Mount) Arafat, celebrate the praises of Allah at the Sacred Monument, and celebrate His praises as He has directed you, even though, before this, ye went astray. It is better to learn facts as such Forgiveness Thus saith the Lord, Verily those who are patient in adversity and forgive wrongs, are the doers of excellence.

Since

the political harvest from Ram MandirYatra, in 1990,

did not last long, the disappointed veteran BJP leader Lal Kissan Advani, launched yet another yatra called Jan ChetnaYatra. The entire nation was horried to witness the consequences of the Ram Mandirrathyatra which resulted in sparking communal riots, demolition of Babri Mosque and the killing of hundreds of innocent Muslims. With the polarisation of Indian society, once again he plays his old dirty game of talking out another anyatra to arrest his political decline and strives hard to avoid his political eclipse. This time he has chosen a weak and a boring theme for his yatra anti-corruption and anti-black money. Indian people need no tuition on corruption from Advani. Every saner Indian is aware of the fact that corruption has invaded all aspects of our public life. The constant dramatic revelations by our media to prove that corruption has entered the highest echelons of the government and even our defence forces are not exempt from this slow poisoning, corruption resigns top to bottom in almost all the government departments, the stock exchanges, the lm world, the cricketing community, the judiciary, political establishments from central government down to local panchayat board. The 2G spectrum has become the mother of all corruptions. Corruption has become so beautiful, attractive and charming that almost all politicians in power want to embrace it and kiss it. Not one Anna Hazare, even one hundred Anna Hazare cannot put an end to this evil practice. As the popular Tamil Lyricist Pattukottai Kalana Sundaram rightly mentions in his lyric that, Thieves meticulously plan and steal, law makers make laws to prevent theft, but theft cannot be prevented unless the thief mends himself. Let Advani look at his own house The BharathiyaJanata Party. Let him peep into the face of his ardent followers, the authors of the Himalayan Corruption the former Karnataka BJP Chief Minister B.S. Yedyurappa and the Reddy brothers. Advani must learn and understand the adage that charity begins at home. Lal Kissan Advani, we conceive has indepth knowledge of the epic Mahabharata and he must remember that All charioteers are not Sri Krishna. Advani should instill in his mind that the adharmic elements who assumed the role of charioteers ultimately earned the wrath of divinity and perished.

Sayings of Prophet Muhammed (Sal)

Once Muhammad (Sal) was asked, O Apostle of God! How many times are we to forgive our servants faults? He was silent. Again the questioner asked, and Muhammad gave no answer. But when the man asked a third time, he said, Forgive your servants seventy times day. Do not say, that if the people do good to us, we will do good to them; and if the people oppress us, we will oppress them; but determine that if people do you good, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them.

Editor
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Excerpts from Banatwallas Parliamentary Speech

MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER, Mr Banatwalla, you have already moved your amendment. In view of what the Law Minister has said, do you want to press it? He is going to have a meeting with all the opposition leaders after sometime. That is what you also want. You want an all-party parliamentary committee to be set up If you want, you may explain it. SHRI G.M. BANATWALLAH (Ponnani): We have just heard the Minister. It its abundantly clear that everyone acknowledges the need for radical reforms in electoral laws and processes. There is no dearth. whatsoever of recommendations. Prof. Dandavate was also kind enough to give us a catalogue of various committees and commissions which have made recommendations from time to time. Even the Chief Election Commissioner has entered the fray and has made various recommendations. incuding recommendations for identity cards, electronic devices for voting and counting etc., Despite the fact that everyone acknowledges the need for reforms and despite the fact that there is no dearth of recommendations the electoral reforms are still on deferred list. I submit that this is because of the lack of political will sustained by a lack of national consensus. I therefore, say that the need of the hour today is to secure a national consensus on this vital aspect. That is why. I have moved my amendment saying that an all party commmittee be formed here and now. Let us start this process will sustained by national consensus rather thatn continue to live with all sorts of excuses. It was the lack of this political will sustained by national consensus that we had a very sorry spectacle in this House. When Janata Party was in power a Bill was introduced for the purpose of preventing defecton and a Member of the Janata Party was in power a Bill was introduced for the purpose of preventing defection and a Member ofr the Janata Party itself rose with the loudest possible opposition to it and the entire thing collapsed/ Hence I emphasize the need for a national consensus to start. Otherwise I am sure that the electoral reforms will continue to be in the deferred list.

On Electroal Reform - August 1981

There are various threats to the electoral process as represented by defective electoral rolls, the role of money, the rigging, impersonation, the misuse of ofcial media or the announcement of bounties on the eve of elections and so on. As far as rigging and other things are concerned; I have no doubt in my time that what happened in Garhwal is a case which requires serious study. It is, therefore, necessary that we take all these things into consideration. These complaints are not new. As far the role of the money is concerned. there were complaints even after the rst general election of 1952 of money having played a great role. I remember at that time the late lamented Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, had said that while talking of the role of money we must not make any generalization. He said that despite the role of money many money-bags were defeated at the polls and many have-nots were elected. However. we have to admit the fact that the role of money is on the increase now. Are we to consider merely these assaults on the electoral process? Are we merely to consider threats to the electoral process? Then we are far from cutting at the root of the malaise. It is necessary to take fundamental issues into consideration. There is need for proportional representation. There is also the question of compulsory audit of the account of all the political parties. Various fundamental issues are there. It is necessary to have a national dialogue. It is necessary to have a national dialogue. It is necessary to have a national consensus. It is with this particular idea that I have moved my amendment. I commend my amendment to the House stressing the need for a national consensus on the consensus on the specic electoral reforms that must be carried out. Let us dedicate ourselves to this task immediately. practices. These may be the offshoot of a crisis of character among the so-called politicians. Nevertheless the fact remains that there is a lurking danger of people losing faith in democracy, elections and democractic institutions. There is no doubt there is an ubabashed manipulation of political, economic, social and administrative inuences. There is therefore, a need for urgent steps towards electoraol reforms and we must give up any attitude of complacency or optimism based on expediency and even a sense of despair. There is no dearth of proposals for electoral reforms. We have even the proposals coming from the Election Commission and these proposals cover a very wide range. For a very effective and cleaner electoral process I must insist upon the adoption of the proportional system of representation. reducing the voting age from 21 to 18, removing of dominant role of money bags in elections, prevention of defections as also establishment of a full functional control of the Election Commission over the Election Departments in the States. I must also strongly urge for a system by which the Indian residents abroad can also participate in our electoral process. The present Government, soon after coming into power in the year 1980, promised to bring forward a comprehensive Bill but now we are reaching almost towards the end of the term and the Bill is not in sight. The process of consideration is non-ending. We are told that there is a Cabinet Sub-committee and so on and so forth but then the Minister must take the House into condence and let us know the position with respect therto. I may concede that legislation alone may not help but as it is, the legislation can generate tendencies, release new forces and issue messages, Indeed values and norms are very important. It is, therefore, very despairing to find, very dismal record, I must say, to nd that a large number of defectors even reach ministerial positions and even the positions of the Chief Minister. As has already been pointed out in this House, all these encourage unhealthy trends. The main purpose of the electoral process is to bring into existence a Parliament or an Assembly that reects the true popular will. India is a plural socity. It is, threfore absolutely necessary that the electoral system adopted must result in the existence of a House which is a true mirror of the nation. Therefore, I and my party always insist upon the adoption of the proportional representation and the list system. It is this system that is based on the principle of giving representation to all sections of opinion and is also based on the principle that no vote is-wasted. It is also a aystem which checks bribery and such other evil practices. While we are on the question of electoral reforms, we have also to see to it no scope is left for the arbitrary and functioning of the Election Commission itself. I am here constrained to refer to the present situtation in the two districts of Bihar - Pumea and Katihar. The State Electoral Ofcer there has issued thousand of notices to voters to come forward and adduce evidences of their citizenship. It will be shocking to know that there has been absolutely no basis for the issue of those notices. An arbitrary and authoritative action has been taken. I am told that the present roll was simply taken and compared with the past roll and the names which were not there in the past roll but were found in the present roll were arbritrarily selected ar random and thousands and thousands of notices have been served upon the innoecent voters over there to adduce evidences of their citizenship. We are told that this action has been taken under section 21(1) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. But this rule deals with the deletion of the names of the dead electors and persons who cease to be ordinarly resident: it has nothing to do whatsoever with citzenship.. I must say that there has been throughout the length and breadth of the country, an increasing and

17 November 1983
S H R I G . M . B A N AT WA L LA , (Ponnani): It cannot be denied that the electoral process today is vitiated by a large number of shortcomings, defects and corrupt

(See Page No. 5)

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Indian Muslims are away from extremist inuences because...

Though there may be injustice to some extent* and often a feeling
of persecution, but the nature of our democracy is such that it allows a person or group to give vent to their feelings publicly. Gujarat carnage aside, it is mainly the failure of Muslim leadership to raise real issues concerning Muslims. Otherwise the Hindu leaders and parties in even states like Tamil Nadu which have barely 5% Muslim votes, have championed the cause of minority and it is not just votes or appeasement alone, which prompts them to do it. In society, politics, media, there are non-Muslims who speak for Muslims. Otherwise, which group has not faced injustice! * The status of Dalits in Indian society is yet to improve much and tribal populace has suffered most from the apathetic administration. But thats the general problem of a bureaucracy, which is corrupt and insensitive. Muslims do have a much better social status despite their poor nancial state. In Sports, Films, Arts and especially Indian traditional music, Muslim representation is more than their percentage. This shows that complaint ofbias and communalism doesnt hold much water. Of course, it is a casteist society so there is bound to be a feeling of discrimination experienced by each section, but Indian society is a much better evolved society with an interaction of Hindus and Muslims for over a millennium. In this democracy you can shout from the rooftop that you have faced bias at any ofce or any ofcial of any rank has been guilty of partiality. There are a range of commissions where you can complain and media channels and a press that is absolutely free to give your story and tell them your grievances. And government jobs are not everything. We are lucky to have a great advantage in free media, where if nothing, at least if you are angry, your letter to editor can get published after a few rounds to the ofce. I mean,dilkaGhubaarnikalnekekaiirastemaujuudhaiN. If percent of Muslims is not too high in government jobs, there are all other avenues and business. Just an incident, whatever people may term Mulayam Singh Yadav (a majority of politicians and also public servants are guilty of corruption and nepotism) but he dared to re at the KarSewaks. In the late 80s and early 90s, the Mandir movement was so erce that despite any amount of lure for Muslim vote no government could have risked that. He did and it kept the faith of many Muslims in the inherent

secular nature of this country and the fact that somebody stood for Me and the Mosque despite all odds. And there are always voices of dissent against any totalitarian regime. May be these are some of the reasons. I think extremism cant come to Indian Muslims because of our democracy that may not be perfect but is still the best in the world in many respects. Our Supreme Court is a great institution and we ought to be proud of it. Yes, Gujarat became a fasicst state but hopefully it would prove to be the last such pogrom. New laws against communal violence and riots are on the cards. Compensation for riot victims and justice will also come steadily. When you see Harsh Mander, a brilliant person, resigning from IAS just because he was shaken by Gujarat riots, and forming AmanBiradari or TeestaSetalvad ghting for victims of riots, your trust in the values of this country and society enhances tremendously. I dont think there is any cause for Muslims to get infected by any extremism. If people in failed Muslim countries where even organising demonstrations and rallies is banned or even writing a blog can be dangerous, get extremist I understand but not in India. Here you can be a Muslim of any sect, organise a rally or demo, stage a protest, climb up a tower in Delhi to demand that India should help Saddam, as a person had done, and what not. Remember the huge rallies on Caricature Controversy when lakhs poured on streets in India, whether rightly or wrongly, but can they come out in most countries in Gulf? Thats why, I guess, a resounding No from Indian Muslims to any form of extremism. By : Sharique - At Indian muslim.in

Conference to Focus on Muslims in US and Europe

Scholars from across the United States gathered at Indiana University (IU) Bloomington in the last week of September 2011, to share the latest policy-relevant research and to advance discussion of research methods to study the affairs of Muslim minorities in the West. The conference, Muslims in the United States and Europe: Islamophobia, Integration, Attitudes and Rights, was held at the University Club of the Indiana Memorial Union. One of the presenters at the free event will be Justin Gest, a Harvard College Fellow in the Department of Government at Harvard University and author of the book, Apart: Alienated and Engaged Muslims in the West. The book looks at why some young Muslim men become radicalized, while others become apathetic when faced with barriers to integration. Other presenters included scholars from the University of California-Berkeley, Grand Valley State University, Middlebury College, Reed College, Rutgers University and City University of New York. They examined the differences between how Muslims have succeeded in integrating themselves into American society as compared to across Europe. American Muslims, on an average, are very successful and well integrated into American society, but they face a glass ceiling in politics and have become the target of hateful rhetoric by politicians, said Abdul KhaderSinno, IU associate professor of political science and Middle Eastern studies, and the conference organiser. While Muslim politicians get elected more frequently and are more visible in Europe, European societies are becoming Islamophobic. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as attempts by al-Qaeda to attack targets in the West have galvanized anti-Muslim feelings, he said. The conference was sponsored by West European Studies, the Center for the Study of the Middle East, the Ofce of Womens Affairs and the departments of political science and Near East languages and cultures in IUs College of Arts and Sciences.
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Banatwala Chowk Inauguration

A Message from Prof. K.M. Kader Mohideen EX.M.P., National General Secretary, Indian Union Muslim League President, Tamil Nadu State Indian Union Muslim League

Two women combat Illiteracy

When villagers see these two young sisters, Fatima and Jainab, teaching at a madrassa in this small village of Rajasthans Barmer district, they hardly believe it. Only a handful of men can boast of being educated in this village on the western borders of the country. Despite being women from a minority community, these two have not only completed Aaleema, a religious course considered equivalent to anything from Class 12 to graduation, but also pursue the aim of bringing about cent percent literacy among girls in the area! As a result, they teach at least 100 girls these days in a madrassa of Kharchi village, around 550 km from the state capital Jaipur. They want every girl here to complete Aaleema like them. Literacy rate among Muslim girls is very low in our area. Our father had a rare dream that daughters become graduates. It did not matter to him that we were girls. So he sent us to Jamnagar in Gujarat for getting education, the older Jainab told IANS. The average literacy rate of Barmer in 2011 was 57.49 %. Genderwise, male literacy was 72.32 % and female 41.03. After completing Aaleema, we thought we should share our knowledge with others who are not as lucky as we were. So we started contacting illiterate girls and requested them to join the local madrassa, said Jainab. Fatima says that they went from door to door to spread awareness. The parents here are hardly willing to send girls to school, but they were somehow convinced. Now girls from far-off places come to study, she said. The course is more on the religious side, but we have made sure that modern education is provided to the girls. So the girls are being taught computers also, she added. Two girls, Shaharbano and Latifa, come from JunejonkiBasti village to study. The fact that their place is 60 km away has not kept them from pursuing their dream of completing Aaleema. I am determined to pursue studies till I am able to complete Aaleema, said Shaharbano, who is about 16 years old.

t is heartening to learn that the Government of Maharastra, has

come forward to name a prominent road in the heart of the Mumbai City as BANATWALLA CHOWK. As a member of Legislative Assembly of Maharastra State and as a member of parliament for more than three decades he has proved his prominent intellectual position in the debates as well as the contribution to the Legislative business of the house. His Bill on Shariat Law which was adopted as the Government Bill by the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and it was passed by the Parliament. The Shariat law gives security to the Muslims religions rights, especially protects the Shariat law of Muslims community in India. Gentle in expression, moderate in action Banatwalla Sahib out shone the political stars in the democratic rmament of India. In cherishing his golden principles, the Government of Maharastra has created a memorial in naming a prominent road in Mumbai City as Banatwalla Chowk. Let us all thank the Government of Maharastra, and let us all strive hard to put into practise the immortal principles of Banatwalla sahib. I convey my Hearty congratulations to the organizers and wish the function a grand success. Chennai - 14.10.2011

(Continue from Page No. 3)

tendentious propaganda of a large number of inltrators in various States of our country. There has been a tendentious propaganda, vicious propaganda, that a large number of inltrators are there in the State of West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and Gujarat in addition to Assam. In Purnea and Katihar of Bihar, the Akhil Vidyarthi Parishad recently threatenedto launch an Assam type of movement with respect to the so-called inltrators, Immediately therearter, we nd that the Chief Electoral Ofcers of the State have fallen a prey to thuis propaganda. In this very House, when a Calling Attention motion was being discussed on the question of the so

called large scale inltrators into the various States of our country. the Honble Home Minsiter, Shri P.C. Sethi, stated categorically as late as the 18th August 1983 that Government has no information about any recent large-scale infiltration into any part of the country. Inspite of this statement, we nd that in these two districts of Bihar thousands and thousands of notices are being served. I cannot help feeling that these notices have been served by the electoral ofcers, either because they have fallen a prey to this vicious propaganda, or because they want to appease elements like the ABVP. This is a dangerous game. The voters are being harassed,

persecuted, Illegal notices which do not fall within the purview of section 21 a) are being issued to them. I cannot help feeling that there is some collusion between the ofcer of the Central Government, the State Government and the electoral ofcers in the State, as a result of which such a distrubing situations has come up. Now anxiety and panic is being create in the various States of the country. I must appeal to the Government to see that the these illegal notices are withdrawn. I must appeal that the innocent voters should not be subjected to this persecution, harassment, arbitrary and authoritative functioning of the ofcers in a most illegal manner. I hope that the categorical assurance

will be given to this House, and through this House to the entire nation, which is in a state of anxiety on this particular account. Sir, I have many things to say. But, then I accept the punishment that you are giving me for being a patient and a disciplined member of this House. In deference to your bell and your restlessness and with the hope that next time you will bear with me, I conclude with fervent appeal that the entire question of electoral reforms brooks no further delay and also with a fervent appeal that the harassement of the people in Bihar, particularly in these two districts, must end forthwith. the Harassement. MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You have made the shortest speech.

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Are Muslim freedom ghters given rightful coverage in Kerala history text books?
Muslims have played a very important part in the freedom struggle of the country. MaulanaAbulKalam Azad, Ali brothers, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan are a few examples. Our school syllabi, both state and central, cover the freedom struggle. But how many Muslim freedom ghters nd their place in the history text books, which are the rst source of information for the growing generation about our past?
The number of Muslim freedom ghters is very less in our history text books, said K Kunhali, principal and teacher of history, Hidayathul Muslimeen Yatheemkhana Higher Secondary School, Manjeri, in Malappuram district. Only AbulKalam Azad is given at least a mention in our books. Even Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan is presented as pro-British and communalist. Books portray Muhammed Ali Jinnah as the only reason for the partition of the country. So students have only such an idea about our past. Mr Kunhali says this with his experience as the teacher of history for years. He also talked about the portrayal of Muslim freedom ghters in the text books in Kerala. MuhammedAbdurahman found only mention in our textbooks but more importance was given to K Kelappan. Even though VariyankunnathKunhahammed Congress passed the Quit India resolution? That Azad had actually chalked out a plan so as to avoid the partition of the country, which even the Muslim League accepted? The books of yore covered the role of Muslims in the freedom struggle, said Abdul Ali of Manjeri in Malappuarm. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, books mentioned the Ali brothers, Dr MA Ansari, Hakim Ajamal Khan, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and HazrathMohani among other leaders of the freedom struggle. The Jamiat

Dr. M.A. Ansari to be entered by the Europeans. Veliyankode Umar Qadi began the rst civil disobedience movement in the 17th century. He assembled people through his various works and speeches. He educated the Muslims of their religious duty to ght against oppressors. Vakkom Abdul QaderMoulvi began a newspaper Swadeshabhimani. He gave total journalistic freedom for his editor who later became more famous than him. The revolt of 1921 took place at a time when the whole Muslim world was ghting for the restoration of khilafath. Gandhiji and Ali brothers began it in the country as the Khilafath movement. The movement took the shape of an open revolt in Malabar where Muslims and Hindus fought together against the British Raj. However, studies are going on in the eld. The revolt of 1921 is again subject to study by many scholars. One of the reasons for the revolt not to nd a place in books of the past could be that details about it were present only in the ArabicMalayalam script. Nowadays when the Arabic- Malayalam script has given way to Malayalm, Muslims too learn Malayalam. So there is an increased awareness, but still there is a need to include at least the names of Muslim freedom ghters in text books so that at least the coming up generation may realize that Muslims too had fought for the country. They could understand that Muslims were not traitors but real patriots.

Abul Kalam Azad

Haji and Ali Musliyar fought against the British and captured power, their struggle for independence has no much space in our books. They were staunch suppoerters of the Congress and wore qadar (khadi). They captured power and ruled some parts of Malabar for about six months. At last the British caught and executed them. But this glorious age in history can be known only from books other than text books. And this happens at a time when even Pazhassi Raja and VeluthampiDalawa are adored by text books. Both had sided with Maulana Shaukat Ali

Maulana Mohammed Ali

Ulema-I-Hind too was mentioned, though nothing was given in detail. Muhammed Abdurahman Sahib was the lone Muslim from Kerala who found a place in text books. Abdul Jaleel of Malappuram also recollects that he had not studied about the revolt of 1921 in text book. The struggle for freedom had begun at a very early age in Kerala, the state being the rst

the British in the beginning, but turned against them only when the British sidelined their interests. Of course the books do mention Maulana Azad and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. But can one understand from the books that Azad was the president of the Congress at the most crucial age of the Second World War? That Azad was the president when the October - 2011

Hakim Ajmal Khan

Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan

THE TIMES OF LEAGUE

KALEIDOSCOPE
Modi is a common criminal and who happens to be the CM: Sanjiv Bhatt
October 18: In a setback for the Gujarat government, a special court granted bail to suspended police ofcer Sanjiv Bhatt who has accused Chief Minister NarendraModi of complicity in the 2002 communal riots. Coming out of jail, the ofcer said rule of law has prevailed. Bhatt termed Modi a criminal and who can get him killed. For me, Modi is a common criminal and who happens to be the chief minister and that doesnt make any difference. As a police ofcer I see him as a criminal, he told news channel Times Now. This government can try to eliminate me as they have done to (former minister) HarenPandya. They can resort to anything and I am prepared for anything. I am a threat to NarendraModi, his stooges and and his cohorts and they will try to neutralise the threat. If they have to eliminate me, they wont mind doing that, he said. 30 for allegedly forcing a police constable, K.D. Panth, to sign a false afdavit about his attending a meeting called by Modi soon after the Godhra train burning that sparked the riots. In an afdavit led in the Supreme Court in April, Bhatt alleged that after the Godhra train carnage, Modi had asked the police at a meeting to allow the majority community to vent their anger against Muslims. Union Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the court order showed the independence of the legal system. No matter how much people speculate and put question marks, ultimately... we have shown our system is independent and it does not get swayed either by public opinion or by any kind of pressure, Khurshid told reporters in New Delhi. Islamic centre near Ground Zero in legal trouble the site of the twin towers that were destroyed during the 9/11 terror attacks here has run into legal trouble, with a utility rm saying the centres developer owes it USD 1.7 million in back rent. Lower Manhattans controversial Park51 Islamic centre has in turn led a law suit against Consolidated Edison (Con Edison), saying it owes the company only USD 881,000 and calls the utilitys demand grossly inated. The centre has led the suit against the company over a default notice it was issued in September. A New York state judge has stayed any action until after a hearing on November 17. Whether it is bowing to political pressure or seeking to retain the valuable premises for itself, Con Ed appears intent upon proceeding with the wrongful termination, one of the development groups

Ahmedabad,

leaders Sharif El-Gamal said in the lawsuit. The centre, Park51 owns part of the property on Park Place but rents a part from Consolidated Edison. Con Edison has threatened to terminate the lease, which would imperil El-Gamals right to buy the property and derail the plans to set up the Islamic centre. El-Gamal has obtained a court order preventing Con Ed from ending his lease. The centre, which includes a mosque, faced stiff opposition last year from politicians, activists and families of the 9/11 victims, who felt that an Islamic centre should not be built a couple of blocks away from the site of the World Trade Centre that were razed to the ground by planes hijacked by Al-Qaeda terrorists. The interfaith centres leaders said the project will be a 16story community centre with recreational, educational and cultural programming rooted in a spirit of cooperation and coexistence. Diwali in Pakistan: Muslim League ministers celebrate with Hindus

A proposed Islamic centre near

Earlier, Bhatt walked out of the Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad amid showering of rose petals and cheering of supporters. He hugged his wife Shweta Bhatt, who was waiting for him outside. I am happy that the rule of law has prevailed and this would be a victory for hope, a composed Bhatt told reporters outside the jail. Sessions Judge V.K. Vyas granted him bail on the condition that Bhatt would cooperate with the investigation and would be present whenever called. The Indian Police Service (IPS) ofcer was arrested Sep

The ministers of Pakistan Muslim League (PML) are celebrating Diwali at the party headquarters in Islamabad. The PML leaders are seen with tilak on foreheads and seeking blessings from a couple that is posing as Hindu gods. We dont get to see such pictures about our neighbouring country in Indian media. Even if it is just a gesture, it is important. Religious minorities must get the feeling that they belong to the place. Their culture must be respected. When different communities come together to celebrate a particular festival, it shows the society in positive light. Just like iftaars are organised in India during Ramzan, despite the politics, such gatherings and events sends a message to the minority and generates goodwill.

Bereft of Credibility
The President of the United States is considered to be the most legally powerful man on the earth. But US President Obamas refusal to support statehood for Palestinians in the wake of mounting pressure October - 2011

from Israel serves to indicate the actual sinews of power of the worlds most powerful democracy. When it comes to the question of any concession to Palestine or its embattled residents, the American Presidents, otherwise known for ordering wars against and devastation of supposedly hostile nations, are rendered lame-duck for all practical purposes. Obamas plight is not unique. Most of the predecessors were no better than him. With Netanyahu receiving more standing ovations than Obama in the US, and Israeli premier already seen in the role of interlocutor between White House and the Republicans who dominate the House of Representatives on key issues, Obama is likely to remain beholden to Israel for rest of the term. Corporate stranglehold of the American democracy has rendered it Democracy Inc. And now Israeli tail wagging the American dog exposes the claims of the most powerful democracy for one and all to see and judge for themselves. The larger question then is: Should the peace in the most strife-torn part of the world remain so helplessly hinged to the vagaries of the polls prospect of the US president and shifting sand of politics in the US? If it is so and indeed Obamas pathetic attempt to stall the Palestinian statehood is a denite indication then the ones cherishing peace and justice must begin to look for option better than democracy to achieve their ideals. Obama has saddened the world, especially the Arab folk, with his speech in the UN. He had raised hopes of responsive and democratic governance in the Arab world with several of his initiatives including the Cairo speech. If not the UN, from where else should the peace efforts seek legitimacy? With the US presidents hands tied against the aggressor, oppressor and expeller, how could its credibility as an honest broker in the Middle East Peace Process be tested? The US would owe answers to several such questions.