Amid opposition boycott in Bangladesh, Hasina pushes poll as scheduled

Amid opposition boycott in Bangladesh, Hasina pushes poll as scheduled

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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One fails to understand what exactly does Bangladesh aim at, although, true, anti-Islamism seems to guide the regime and its media for quite some time now.

As it stands now Bangladesh is heading for general poll in January, ruling Awami League party is quite happy to win it since the the BNP-led 18-party opposition alliance is boycotting it protesting against Hasina’s regime party’s misrule.

PM Hasina is trying to make Bangladesh her party property. Four free and fair polls have been held under caretaker governments in the past two decades, but Hasina scrapped the system in 2011 — arguing that it was unconstitutional and could pave the way for military coups. The prime minister has instead formed an interim multi-party cabinet which includes her allies.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by two-times ex-premier Khaleda Zia, has been demanding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quit and make way for a “non-party and impartial” chief executive to oversee the polls. It believes any polls held under Hasina will be rigged.

Bangladesh’s 18-party opposition coalition led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed it would boycott a general election scheduled early next year, making the announcement hours before the nominations deadline and plunging the country into renewed political uncertainty.

The BNP and its allies demand that Hasina step down to make way for a neutral caretaker government to oversee the polls, as in the past. But Hasina has rejected the demands for her resignation and is determined to hold the poll as scheduled, insisting it is a constitutional requirement.

The BNP announced the decision amid growing street protests-turned-violence that has left 51 people dead since late October and a string of strikes that have paralyzed large parts of the country. Some 80 people have been killed since late October when the BNP-led opposition launched protests, strikes and transport blockades to pressure Hasina to resign.

But the Hasina regime seems to be got a shot in its arm because opposition boycott will leave her party and partners easy win again. Obviously, Hasina, now a very shrewd politician, has expected this turn of events of opposition boycott to sweep the poll without any opponents in the field.

Happy about the emerging positive poll environment in their favor, the ruling Awami League is determined to go ahead with the polls, even though the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its 17 allies have vowed to boycott them unless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quits beforehand.

Unanimous election of candidates has become common in Bangladesh with just one candidate contesting for the constituency. There will be no need for balloting in 151 constituencies for the January-5 parliamentary election as only one valid candidate is found in those seats each after the final scrutiny. The BD Election Commission, a total of 151 parliamentary constituencies from across the country got lone candidates as the BNP-led 18-party alliance is boycotting the polls. The number of unopposed winners may rise further and cross 151, a number necessary for forming the government, an EC official told UNB wishing anonymity. Of them, 127 candidates are of the ruling AL, 18 of HM Ershad’s Jatiya Party and one of Anwar Hossain Manju-led Jatiya Party-JP, three of JSD (Inu) and the rest two of Bangladesh Workers Party.

The unopposed winners is going to surpass that of the largely-boycotted Feb-15 (1996) controversial election when 49 BNP candidates were elected uncontested. In the Feb-15 (1996) one-sided election, 49 BNP candidates were elected MP uncontested. The election in 10 constituencies could not be held due to widespread violence. BNP won 279 parliamentary seats out of 290 in the sixth general election as it was largely boycotted.

Later, however, no candidate was elected unopposed in the four participatory national elections – 1991 (fifth), 1996 (seven), 2001 (eight) and 2008 (ninth) after the fall of HM Ershad’s regime. But In the scrapped 2007 January 22 election, 18 candidates of BNP were elected uncontested. The election was cancelled after the 1/11 political changeover. In the 1988 fourth national election, 18 candidates were elected uncontested, while 11 candidates elected unopposed in the 1986 third election.

With poll nominations closing late Friday, the Election Commission said 154 seats in the 300-seat parliament have only one candidate each on the ballot paper, and 127 of the 154 are from the Awami League. Awami League allies are contesting another seven seats alone, meaning the ruling party or its allies need only win 17 of the contested seats to win a majority and stay in power.

The opposition, led by Hasina’s rival Khaleda Zia, has said it fears the premier will try to rig the vote in a country plagued for decades by coups and political upheaval, and vowed to boycott the poll.

The BNP extended a 72-hour nationwide transport blockade to press its demands. Further, widespread violence over the death sentences handed down to opposition leaders led by Mollah by a controversial war crimes court of Hasina earlier this year left more than 150 people dead, making 2013 the most violent since the country gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971.

Meanwhile, former ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad said his Jatiya Party, the country’s third largest and a key ally of the ruling Awami League, would not contest the January 5 elections, following in the footsteps of the opposition alliance. “Since all parties are not contesting, so the Jatiya Party will also not participate in the polls,” Ershad told reporters, adding that a “proper environment” was absent for the elections. The announcement came as fresh violence erupted across the country between police and bomb-throwing opposition supporters over the elections, leaving another seven people dead.

At least 59 people have now died in street violence since late October, when the opposition launched a series of protests, strikes and transport blockades. It is trying to force Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to quit making way for a neutral administration to oversee the polls, as happened in past elections and has instead formed an interim multi-party cabinet which includes her allies.

Of the total, 21 have been killed since November 25, when the election date was announced, sparking a fresh round of opposition protests. Another protester died in the western town of Natore during clashes between hundreds of BNP supporters and ruling party activists, police said. “There is no question of us filing nominations for the January 5 election under the present circumstances. We’re not going to take part in the January 5 elections,” Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, a BNP vice president.. Chowdhury said the BNP and its 17 smaller allies including the country’s largest Islamic party would only change their minds “if the polls are organised by a non-party, neutral government”. Chowdhury said the uncontested seats have “set a new mark in election fraudulence” in the country. “It’s totally farcical. The government is implementing a blueprint to rob the people of their voting rights. The country’s largest-circulation Bengali daily Prothom Alo said”Bangladesh is creating new history in election scandal” .

At least eight senior figures from the BNP have been arrested in recent weeks on suspicion of instigating violence. Chowdhury said the eight along with hundreds of grassroots opposition activists were detained on “false charges” and most other leaders were now in hiding.

Dozens of rail services have been suspended after opposition activists uprooted tracks, torched coaches and attacked trains with bombs. Late Sunday, a train was derailed, with seven coaches falling off the tracks, shutting the link between Dhaka and the major cities of Chittagong and Sylhet. As nominations close at 5 pm on Monday, the election officials said no BNP officials had filed by midday.

The government has been under intense international pressure to resolve a standoff over the general election set for January 5 amid a worsening of political violence that has left at least 80 people dead since late October.

The USA urged protesters to halt the “senseless violence” and called on rival political parties to hold talks to resolve the crisis and pave the way for “free and fair elections”. UN chief Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry called Hasina last week to stress the need for talks with the opposition to resolve the election standoff. A senior UN envoy, the assistant secretary general for political affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, visited the country from December 6 to try to broker talks between the major parties, but nothing tangible happened. India sent its foreign secretary.

The UN human rights chief Navi Pilay condemned the deadly street clashes and called for dialogue between political leaders to end “destructive brinkmanship”. “Such levels of violence are deeply shocking for the Bangladeshi people, the vast majority of whom want — and deserve — a peaceful and inclusive election,” said Pillay, the High Commissioner for Human Rights. “Whatever their differences, political leaders on both sides must halt their destructive brinkmanship, which is pushing Bangladesh dangerously close to a major crisis.”

Fake dmeocracy

One does not know if Bangladesh is moving towards a terrocracy without polls so that Hasina can continue life time in office

Bangladesh has witnessed at least 19 coups since August 1975 when Hasina’s father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding leader, was assassinated. But now Hasina has knit close ties with military and hence does not fear soup now.

The BNP has said it was still ready for dialogue to resolve the crisis but has accused the government of targeting its leaders.

With the opposition parties boycotting, Bangladesh’s ruling party is set to win most of the seats in an upcoming election even before votes are cast, nomination figures showed Sunday, in a further blow to the credibility of the boycott-hit polls.

It is high time the Supreme Court stepped in to clear the Dhaka mess first by cancelling the poll schedule as null and void.

د. عبد راف

–BY DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL has been an educationist, Columnist-Commentator on world affairs Expert on Mideast Affairs, Chronicler of Foreign occupations & Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International Affairs(CIA); Former university Teacher; Editor:INTERNATIONAL OPINION; FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES; Author of books;website: http://abdulruff.wordpress.com/ mail: abdulruff_jnu@yahoo.com/Phone: 91-8129081217—(Account: No 62310377429 – CIF No: 78215311481- State Bank of Hyderabad, India)

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Terrorism is caused by anti-Islamic forces. Anti-Islamism is more dangerous than “terrorism”. Fake democracies have zero-tolerance to any criticism of their anti-Muslim and other aggressive practices.

Indian poll 2014: Rajiv Gandhi to be the Congress party’s PM candidate

Indian poll 2014: Rajiv Gandhi to be the Congress party’s PM candidate

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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The Congress dropped hints that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi might be declared the prime ministerial candidate for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting here on January 17.

Badly rattled by the uncomfortable defeats in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh state assembly polls, the ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had said there would be deep introspection into the reverses. The Congress vice president had suggested that the party would effect changes beyond imagination.

After the great defeat , the Congress has announced to hold a one-day session of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) here on January 17, to introspect and to prepare a strategy for the Lok Sabha polls. The All India Congress Committee will be meeting in Delhi on January 17th to name the party’prime ministerial candidate. Congress MP Priya Dutt said she hopes that party Vice President Rahul Gandhi is projected as party’s prime ministerial candidate. If so, Rahul would be pitted directly against Narendra Modi, who was declared the BJP’s choice for the top executive post in September.

It seems many Congress leaders now hope that Rahul Gandhi would be projected and he takes it forward. In a bid to revive party’s fortunes after its debacle in Assembly polls conducted in four out of five major states, Congress is expected to declare Rahul Gandhi, who is currently serving as its vice president, its prime ministerial candidate ahead of 2014 General Elections. Though, party leaders deny possibility of anointing Rahul Gandhi as prime ministerial candidate at the session, speculations are rife that the January 17 session at Delhi could be a repeat of Jaipur brainstorming session held earlier this year. Instead of brainstorming on issues at Jaipur, Rahul Gandhi was named as the vice-president of the party.

Notably, the meet has been called at a time when Congress is facing an uphill task with the emergence of Narendra Modi and UPA appears to be shrinking. Party chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have already said there would be deep introspection on the reverses. The Congress vice-president had suggested that the party would effect changes beyond imagination. UPA alliance partner NCP chief Sharad Pawar who promotes cricket and Sachin as his major hobby, had also targeted the Congress loeadership, saying people do not like “weak leaders”. According to reports, a formal announcement in this regard is likely to be made during the AICC meeting scheduled on January 17. Sources claim that the decision to declare Rahul Gandhi as party’s PM candidate and end suspense on the issue has possibly been taken keeping in view BJP’s stunning victory in major states where Assembly polls were held recently.

After the Congress rout president Sonia Gandhi had declared that the party would announce its prime ministerial candidate at an “opportune time”. the Congress has convened an AICC meeting in Delhi on January 17 to prepare the strategy ahead with Lok Sabha polls being just a few months away. It is being said that Rahul’s candidature would be announced on the same day. Though it is a debatable issue, the main opposition party has given credit to its PM candidate Narendra Modi for its thumping victory in these elections.

There has been a long standing demand to declare Rahul Gandhi as Congress’ PM candidate and the clamour grew louder after Sonia Gandhi said the party would take a decision in this regard at an opportune time. A section of Congress leaders believe that naming Rahul Gandhi as PM candidate could revive party’s fortunes in the coming polls.

AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh said the party should ensure that Rahul is declared the PM candidate. Union Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was the chairman of the campaign committee in Madhya Pradesh polls, made the demand immediately after the Congress was routed in Assembly elections in four states.

A top party leader however said that such decisions are never taken in the AICC sessions as they are the prerogative of the party president or the Congress Working Committee (CWC). Even though, at the party press briefing, Priya Dutt, who is also secretary of communication department said the party cadres would like Rahul Gandhi be projected actively as the prime ministerial candidate. She later qualified the statement saying it was her view.

The Congress party constitution requires at least one AICC session in a year. Dwivedi said the CWC was yet to set the agenda for the AICC session and hence he dubbed speculation of Rahul’s projection as prime ministerial candidate baseless. Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi also stressed that it was a routine session that was due since the last AICC meeting was held in Jaipur in January. The AICC meeting was due since the last meeting was held in Jaipur along with the ‘Chintan Shivir’ which saw the elevation of Rahul Gandhi as the party vice president. AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi’s announcement of the AICC session, which is likely to be attended by around 1,500 members from across the country, triggered speculation over Gandhi’s projection as the prime ministerial candidate.

The Congress does not have the tradition of projecting a prime ministerial candidate. But in 2009, Manmohan Singh had been projected as one as he was the incumbent Prime Minister. However, there is a growing realisation within the Congress that it might have to change tack with the emergence of Modi as a force to reckon with. The Gujarat chief minister has already held several rallies since the BJP named him to lead the party in the polls. Moreover, the party believes the Manmohan does not have the necessary pull prowess and leadership quality. Rahul Gandhi has already announced that he will aggressively transform the party to take on future challenges.

After the poll debacle, Sonia had called for introspection and the need for communicating directly with people. Sources said the AICC session will give an opportunity to the ordinary members to speak about grassroots situation. The AICC meet has been called at a time when Congress is facing an uphill task with the emergence of Modi as a force to reckon with and some allies of UPA sending warning signals, the latest being DMK which made it clear that it will not have any alliance with Congress in the Lok Sabha polls. The AICC session may also discuss the issue of allies leaving UPA, the latest blow coming from DMK chief M Karunanidhi who declared that his party will not have a tie-up with Congress for next general elections. Earlier Trinamool Congress (TMC) walked away from the UPA.

A high-level committee of the Congress headed by defence minister AK Antony, has so far steered clear of the task at hand to pick up alliance partners for the polls, but it will have to take the hard decision in the coming days in Bihar, where talks at one stage were to rope in the Janata Dal(United) of Nitish Kumar since the chief minister parted ways with the BJP on the issue of Narendra Modi.

Hours after reports claimed that Congress is expected to declare Rahul Gandhi its prime ministerial candidate ahead of 2014 General Elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday scoffed at the decision of the ruling party. BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said that it seems by announcing Rahul Gandhi as the PM candidate, Congress has decided it wants to sit in the opposition. The BJP has already declared Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as its PM candidate.

Congress will hold a meeting of AICC here on January 17 to prepare strategy for the Lok Sabha polls, triggering speculation that Rahul Gandhi may be anointed the party’s prime ministerial candidate there. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting comes exactly a year after party’s Jaipur chintan shivir where Gandhi was formally made the No. 2 in the organisation .. However, there is expectation within the Congress that the party would not leave any uncertainty on the question of its prime ministerial candidate, especially when the BJP had named Narendra Modi as early as September.

The call for Rahul to be named as the replacement for Manmohan Singh in UPA-3 contrasts with the earlier assessment that a bad performance in the December Assembly polls would discourage Congress from naming a rival to Narendra Modi, who is the BJP’s PM candidate.Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has assured social activist Anna Hazare that he is committed to provide a strong Lokpal to the nation.“We are committed to provide a strong Lokpal system to the country,” Rahul Gandhi said in a letter to Anna Hazare that was released to the media Tuesday. “We respect your (Anna Hazare’s) role and are grateful for your support,” said Gandhi while replying to Anna’s letter that was issued Sunday. Anna Hazare said in his letter that he welcomed Rahul Gandhi’s comment on the Lokpal bill. He also requested Gandhi that the recommendation of the select committed of the Rajya Sabha should be included in the Lokpal bill. “I welcome your commitment. I request you to include the recommendation of the select committee in the bill and include any other points to make the Lokpal bill strong,” Anna Hazare said.

Congress party is yet to overcome the shock from severe drubbing in four states while the BJP also s so sure about it fortunes in the Parliamentary poll because of the rising Common-man (Aam Aadmi) Party

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White lies of White House about Syrian WMD!

White lies of White House about Syrian WMD!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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Unilateral power USA and its media churn out official lies day in and day out in a sustained manner to advance its illegal global interests.

In fact Sept-11 hoax itself was a blatant lie spread with unprecedented haste and fierceness in order to make Islamizing Afghanistan looks the culprit so that the NATO could invade that nation of brave Afghans. .

World was taken by shock and no attempts to question the validity of US claims mainly because of the support they obtained from most of Muslim nations who are the US allies; The Muslim world led by Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan extended full support in fighting the global Muslims. .

For official purposes, Americans require some strong pretexts to invade or attack any nation on earth. Afghanistan was attacked first, followed by Iraq, Libya, Pakistan.

The enemies of Islam turned to Iran and Syria, against supported now by much of Sunni Islamic world who found themselves on the side of fascist Israel-US twins.

Israel, having got illegal nukes from the west, does not want any other Arab or Persian nation to be a nuclear rival in Mideast.

Despite all pressure tactics by US-Saudi-Israeli trio, President Bashar al-Assad has remained the president of Syria.

The allegations that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad carried out mass chemical weapons attacks n Ghouta, near Damascus, lack any credibility.

In fact, the Obama regime on whihc Israel depend, was never able to produce a single concrete piece of evidence proving that the Assad regime had carried out the gas attack.

The White House invited a select group of Washington reporters and handed them a “government assessment” that the White House describes as a “political argument to bolster the administration’s case against the Assad government.

The US media/newspapers of “records” reprised its efforts to promote and legitimize government lies in the run-up to the Iraq War, earlier, once again reporting as fact, without any independent investigation, all of the administration’s claims.

After fixing Iran over its legitimate nuclear drive, the US propaganda machine, as usual, churned out blatant but deliberate lies about Syrian regime to generate hatred for the regime in accordance with CIA’s calculated fraud and these lies were on live day after day by the administration and uncritically repeated by the media for a period of several weeks to provide a pretext for a military attack on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

There is enough evidence available in public domain now, based on information provided by current and former US intelligence and military officials, that the US government and President Barack Obama knowingly lied when they claimed that the Syrian government had carried out a sarin gas attack on insurgent-held areas last August.

However, the CIA plan to misuse any available piece of information fizzled out as Obama refused a war with Syria , extending the Mideast war to cause more expenses for USA.

Pentagon could not launch the Syrian attack as massive popular opposition to another unprovoked war in the Middle East, leading the White House to pull back and accept a Russian plan for the dismantling of Syrian chemical weapons.

This was followed by the opening of talks with Syria’s main ally in the region, Iran. Moreover, rise of China in Mideast on account of NATO militarism in the region has annoyed the White House and it wants to somehow upset the Russia-China designs in the region.

The war propaganda about a Syrian government gas attack was a tissue of lies intended to provide a pretext for military aggression and regime-change.

White House is known for systematic manipulation of intelligence aimed at dragging the American people into yet another war based on lies underscores the fact that Obama’s retreat in Syria by no means signaled a turn away from militarism.

Rather, it reflected a provisional change in tactics in relation to US hegemonic aims in the oil-rich Middle East, and a decision to focus more diplomatic and military resources on Washington’s drive to isolate and contain what it considers more critical antagonists: Russia and, above all, China.

CIA wants some bogus intelligence to justify a strike against Assad as part of Mossad agenda.

Obama’s nationally televised speech on September 10 categorically asserted, “We know the Assad regime was responsible” for a sarin gas attack on Eastern Ghouta that reportedly killed hundreds of people. In that speech, Obama claimed that US intelligence had tracked Syrian government preparations for the attack for several days before it occurred. White House created the concoct a scenario and present it as real-time intelligence of the August 21 attack.

Media networks help the anti-Islam propaganda drives of western terrocracies. Within hours of last August’s sarin attack, both the leading US dailies Washington Post and the New York Times were publishing editorials proclaiming as fact the Syrian government’s guilt and demanding a military response. The lies exposure now of the American media, which jumped at the chance once again to pump out government war propaganda was devastating.

Falsification of intelligence was the decision to ignore and conceal a series of intelligence reports the previous spring and summer that had concluded the Western-backed and jihadi-dominated “rebels” had the capability to acquire and use sarin.

Clear evidence is available to show that a s-called jihadi group affiliated with the opposition groups had mastered the mechanics of creating sarin and was capable of manufacturing it in quantity.

But the CIA and its media targeted only the Assad regime for the sarin attack.

The attack occurred only a few miles from the Damascus headquarters of United Nations weapons inspectors who had been invited into the country by Assad and were beginning to investigate previous gas attacks.

In May, Carlo del Ponte, a member of the UN Independent Commission of Inquiry on Syria, had reported “strong, concrete” evidence that those earlier attacks had been carried out by Western-backed forces.

The “rebels” and their American, French, British and Saudi sponsors, had every reason to carry out such an atrocity, of which they were eminently capable, in order to justify direct Western intervention and avert defeat.

The conflict has gone on for 1000 days , and neither side has been able to declare a clear victory. The rebel factions are fractured, and there is concern that Al-Qa’ida is gaining strength.

The obvious reason is USA has second thought about its relations with Iran and Syria. And the twist has angered the Saudi kingdom as well as Israel.

Alert Observation

Enemies of Islam are deadly eager to see the terror war continuing in Mideast and escalating into other regions so that arms sales expand proportionality. Well-bribed television “journalists” were promoting the government line and seeking to shift public opinion behind a new war.

However, Syrian opposition is growing restless as, according to the latest information, the USA and Britain have suspended all aid such as radios, medical supplies, money and food that they had been sending to the Syrian rebels. USA and UK think that some of the terror aid fell into the hands of al-Qa’ida and hence the action.

In stead of Nation government on lines of Libya, the Syrian opposition fears eventual disbandment. The US-UK decision to stop arms supply to rebels comes as both rebel groups and troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad continue fighting.

Arab world should worry about the issue of Israeli nukes first.

د. عبد راف

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Anti-Islamism: Bangladesh executes Islamic opposition leader!

Anti-Islamism: Bangladesh executes Islamic opposition leader!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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Today, Bangladesh is seen making strenuous efforts to outsmart the anti-Islamic gang of nations (AGN) led by USA-UK-Israel-India terrocracies.

Now any ruler, Muslim or non-Muslim, can kill any Muslim just by calling them as the terrorists, suspects or something else. Such notorious state action is supposed to add special status to the rulers in the comity of anti-Islamic nations, enabling economic support from anti-Islamic world.

Bangladesh, unlike Pakistan, has not become a beneficiary of western military aid and she thinks it is because of her zero strategic importance and therefore keen to attract the attention of western powers by killing Muslims.

Obviously, in order to showcase its anti-Islamic commitment for profitable economic ties with all anti-Islamic western nations, Bangladeshi regime on 12th December hanged an Islamist leader Abdul Quader Mollah, convicted of atrocities in the 1971 war of independence with Pakistan.

Murder at night

Murder of Islam is a serious offense a Muslim ruler commits.

Abdul Quader Mollah became the first person to be hanged for his role in the country’s bloody 1971 war of independence when he was sent to the gallows at a prison in the capital Dhaka late night on 12th December Thursday.

After a trial by a much-criticized domestic tribunal, Mollah was “found guilty” in February of having been a leader of a pro-Pakistan militia which fought against the country’s independence.

PM Hasina wants to reduce the opposing in the country. A key opposition leader-official, Mollah was conveniently convicted of rape, murder and mass murder, including the killing of more than 350 unarmed civilians.

Bangladesh was rocked by a new wave of deadly violence as Islamist supporters went on the rampage to vent their fury at the execution of one of their leaders for war crimes.

Abdul Quader Molla was hanged by the neck in a jail in Dhaka. The state said that it’s an historic moment for Bangladesh, because, finally after four decades, the victims of the genocides of 1971 liberation war have got some justice.

The state murder of Molla is making him the first person to be put to death for massacres committed during the bloody 1971 war of independence. Those being tried by the special court ICT are accused of collaborating with Pakistani forces who attempted to stop East Pakistan, as Bangladesh was then, from becoming an independent country.

The ICT was set up by the pro-India regime of Madam Sheikh Hasina, who also had spent years in jail for her own crimes, but she was not hanged by the then ruling military but released to make a “holy” journey to Saudi Arabia and return to Dhaka contest the parliamentary poll to win it.

The Bangladeshi Supreme Court dismissed the last-minute mercy appeal earlier. His trial earlier in the year sparked protests from Jamaat supporters.

State fanaticism

India’s state Hindutva fanaticism is understandable because Indian politicians want to keep the majority in h good humor by killing, injuring and insulting Muslims as a key India state policy.

State sponsored destruction of Babri Mosque in 1992 was also part of exhibiting Hindutva behavior of secular India and keep Hindus extremely happy, followed by massacre of hundreds/thousands of Muslims in the high civilized country. Demolition of the Babri Mosque by using the Hindutva criminal elements mainly of the opposition parties was indeed a pet state project executed skillfully by Congress party, BJP and allies with proper aid from the military and police and of course fanatic Indian media.

Horrible still, India was also contemplating to honor with Bharatratna one of the leading participants of the ghastly demolition.

That is the height of Indian fanaticism. Media just obey the intelligence instructions.

Like India which does such hanging and state murders to coincide with special dates connected with the persons concerned, Bangladesh also did the same Hindutva traditional outrage. “It’s the best gift for (the) nation as we celebrate the Victory Day on December 16,” one of Hasina supporters said, referring to the national day that marked Bangladesh’s independence war “victory against Pakistan”.

All human rights groups have claimed that the tribunal falls short of international standards. Molla’s lawyers had protested the original order.

The death penalty was awarded based on fake evidence given by only one prosecution witness, who had also earlier given differing versions of the same event. UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay wrote to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina seeking a stay of execution, saying the trial did not meet stringent international standards for the death penalty. UN chief Ban Ki-moon has “made his views clear” on his opposition to the death penalty, “including with regard to this particular case”, said his spokesman Martin Nesirky.

But Hasina did not want to slip the golden opportunity provided by her own courts to showcase her anti-Islamic blood instinct.

Hasina and her supportive media hate Jamaat-e-Islami for not supporting the profit agenda of the leaders of government.

Ruling party, government and opponents of Jamaat-e-Islami try to justify the execution saying it is a fundamentalist group with no place in a secular country.

Corrupt criminal Hasina kills opponent Mollah

Hasina is daughter of Mujibur Rehman the former ruler, Mullah was a senior leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami party. He is the first person convicted by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) to be executed.

Abdul Quader Mollah, 65, was hanged in the night in a case that has exacerbated the explosive political divide in Bangladesh, an impoverished country of 160 million. Mollah was a leader of the party Jamaat-e-Islami, and a key member of the opposition.

Fears that the execution could spark further unrest, in a country where political violence is intensifying in the build-up to deeply divisive elections, were soon realized as the Islamists rioted in street battles in towns and cities.

Jamaat-i-Islami condemned the execution of Qader Mullah in Bangladesh and asked the government of Pakistan to lodge a strong protest over it. In this regard a protest meeting was held here which was chaired by Lakki JI chief Sabz Ali Naveed. The speakers said that Qader Mullah was hanged to death because he was loyal to Pakistan and supported Pakistan army during the 1971 war.

The protesters urged the government of Pakistan to take the matter to the International Court of Justice. They said that execution of Qader Mollah was against the principles of justice. They said that trying political opponents for war crimes by Bangladesh government was condemnable. The JI activists asked the government to sever ties with Bangladesh and call back its ambassador to the country.

Following the execution of Molla, Bangladesh was rocked by a new wave of deadly violence on Friday as Islamist supporters went on the rampage to vent their fury at the execution of one of their leaders for war crimes. The Jamaat-i-Islami leaders and activists gathered at Al-Markaz-i-Islami here on Friday and offered ghaibana namaz-i-janaza (funeral prayer in absentia) of Jamaat leader Abdul Qader Mullah, who was hanged in Bangladesh on Thursday.

Popular unrest

Hasina wants unrest so that her candidates to parliamentary polls get elected unopposed which is common feature of Bangladeshi elections as opposition boycott them. Now opposition parties haves announced boycotting the poll.

The execution is expected to further inflame tensions in Bangladesh after weeks of deadly violence, and there were reports of fresh clashes soon after the announcement. The hanging took place just hours after the Supreme Court dismissed Mollah’s appeal for a final review of his death sentence, removing the last legal obstacle to his execution.

Shortly after the execution, Mollah’s body was being driven by police escort to his home village, where he will be buried. “We are not allowed to travel with the body,” relatives complained. An ambulance entered the jail moments after the hanging amid loud cheers from anti-Islamic forces, while elite Rapid Action Battalion forces circled the jail compound to maintain order.

The execution sparked violent protests Friday as activists torched homes and businesses belonging to government supporters in a fresh wave of bloodshed ahead of elections next month. At least five people died in the violence.

Violence erupted near the country’s largest mosque in Dhaka after Friday prayers as Jamaat activists detonated crude bombs and torched at least a dozen cars and vehicles. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, critically injuring a child. Activists also tried to burn down the coastal village home of one of the war crimes trial judges.

The protesters, holding banners and posters inscribed with slogans against the execution of Bangladesh’s Jamaat leader, were led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa JI chief Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, central deputy chief Sirajul Haq and provincial general secretary Shabir Ahmed. Prof Ibrahim said that the JI leader in Bangladesh had been given the capital punishment for the reason that he loved Pakistan and its people. He said that hanging of a political figure was un-Islamic and against all norms of democracy. He demanded registration of FIR against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party for executing a leader of the opposition.

Some protesters were killed by security guns and two activists from the ruling Awami League were hacked to death Friday. Jamaat activists firebombed train stations, set fire to businesses and blockaded key highways.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people rejoiced in the streets of the capital, Dhaka, and said justice had been served.

Global reaction

The government, which has rebuffed international pressure to delay the elections scheduled for next month, was unrepentant about the decision to carry out the execution of 65-year-old Mollah.

Angry outbursts have been registered from across the globe over the politically and fanatically revengeful state murder by the Hasina regime.

A Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Makbul Ahmed, said in a statement that people would take revenge on this killing by establishing Islam in Bangladesh, which is stained with the blood of Abdul Quader Mollah.

Security had already been tightened in anticipation of the execution, with the authorities deploying heavily armed paramilitary border guards in key flashpoints. While there was no immediate violence at the prison, local media and police reported that Islamists and opposition protesters armed with crude bombs and rocks clashed with police in several cities shortly after the execution.

Jamaat has called the execution a “political murder” and warned of exacting revenge for “every drop” of Molla’s blood. But in a sign of the sharp divide in Bangladesh, thousands of secular protesters erupted in celebration as news of the execution came. They had been camping at Shahbagh square in Dhaka since Tuesday night, shouting slogans including: “Hang Quader Molla, hang war criminals”.

Pakistani foreign Office while commenting on the situation in Bangladesh said while it is not Pakistan’s policy to interfere in the affairs of any country, but it has noted the concerns raised by the international community and human rights organizations on the way recent trials have been conducted which have added to the current instability in Bangladesh.

Pakistani Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said there was no doubt that political and religious leader Abdul Qadir Molla of Jamaat-e-Islami was hanged in Bangladesh because of his loyalty and solidarity with Pakistan in 1971 and not for any real crimes. .Chaudhry Nisar expressed deep grief and concern over the incident of execution of Abdul Qadir Mullah.

Nisar said it was demand of international relations, solidarity of Islamic Ummah and wisdom that conditions and events of the past should be put behind and a new era should be started. But with this unfortunate incident, an effort is made to revive old wounds of the past. He said in reality whenever unfortunately any country falls victim to civil war then all sides in the conflict resort to violence.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Bangladesh was passing through a “very sensitive moment”, urging all parties to resolve their differences peacefully. “We’ve long urged the authorities to assure that trials are free, transparent and in accord with international standards, but ..” she said. Authorities went ahead with the execution despite widespread international appeals against the move, including from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Hasina agenda

Madam Hasina, having tasted power and big money from capitalists for too long can even destroy Bangladesh, killing very Muslim in order to stay in power.

Bangladesh is predominantly Muslim, but is governed by largely secular laws based on British common law and Islam is not on its agenda because they wrongly think Islam belongs to Pakistan which the Hasina regime prefers now to hate for special reason……

It is necessary for peace and brotherhood that strategy of tolerating each other should be adopted in the larger national interest and this sentiment promotes real national solidarity.

Politically motivated’ trials Molla was one of five Islamists and other politicians sentenced to death by a domestic court known as the International Crimes Tribunal, which the opposition says is aimed at eradicating its leaders.

Abdul Qadir Mollah was no traitor as the regime made him out be. He was not against nation of Bangalis or Bangladeshis. He opposed division of Pakistan into two part which would weaken both sides because some forces are working against them. According to the reports, till the very end before creation of Bangladesh, he remained supporter of a united Pakistan and today every Pakistani was saddened and grieved on his death.

Molla reportedly said he is proud to be a martyr for the cause of the Islamic movement in the country. It would have been better if the Bangladeshi government had shown farsightedness, large heartedness and magnanimity instead of opening old wounds. An Islamist political party has vowed to deepen the role of Islam in Bangladesh to avenge the execution of a party leader who was hanged for war crimes committed during the country’s 1971 war of independence against Pakistan.

It is indeed strange that even after passing of 42 years to the events of 1971, Hasina executing Abdul Qadir Mollah was very unfortunate and tragic step and some circles were declaring it a judicial murder.

Bengalis seem to love their Bengali language and respect Bengalis occupying top positions. Hasina regime seems to appease Indian rulers, maybe Indian President Pranab Mukherji, the first ever Bengali president, to get some favor from India and its weapon allies like Israel.

Hasina also thinks the hanging of Islamic Muslims can earn new friends in India, Israel, USA and elsewhere to obtain aid and money.

Furthermore, since Pakistan gets service charges for helping the NATO kill Muslims, Hasina and BD strategists calculate similar favors from the anti-Islamic nations to Dhaka so that the rich can thrive still more.

Hasina wants to win the parliamentary poll at any cost just like India seeking to win cricket matches at any cost. She thinks some patriotic and emotional issue s can fool the Bengalis and Bangladeshis. Hence she killed Mollah just on the eve of the polls

But people of Bangladesh will see through the political gamble of happy Hasina and throw her out of power.

Bangladesh should stop pampering aristocrats and relatives of former as well as today’s rulers who can only promote rampant corruption and prefer new leaders to properly guide them in Islamic way.

A cold blooded fanatic Bangladesh cannot flourish by abandoning Islam or Islamic faith or by killing Muslims on fake charges.

We wish the brotherly people of Bangladesh well and hope that spirit of reconciliation and an atmosphere, free of violence, will prevail.

Bangladesh now officially joins th enti-Islamic nations led by USA-UK terror twins.Terrorism is caused by anti-Islamic forces. Anti-Islamism is more dangerous than “terrorism”. Fake democracies have zero-tolerance to any criticism of their anti-Muslim and other aggressive practices.

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Fukushima: A permanent warning for nuclear promoters!

Fukushima: A permanent warning for nuclear promoters!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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Threat to balancing system , to climate, to human survival could be reduced to a bar minimum if the regimes skip the nuclear plants for whatever reasons. .

Fukushima nuclear disaster should serve a permanent lesson for the terrocracies that aim at creating a web of nuclear plants ostensibly for electricity generation but in reality they seek nukes in disguise, maybe in anticipation of World War – III.

Unilateral super power USA along with its hegemonic allies has been threatening the humanity with their military might.

As it is known, the menace of capitalism seeks maximum profits with little of no concern for the people who might be the suffers from the resources hunt operations across the globe.

Today, as terrocratic regimes insist on more and more nuclear reactors doe more nuke arsenals to showcase their military prowess, the badly terrorized humanity is suffering a type of real Water world problem at the horribly stricken Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, where the taming of water – in this case, radioactive water containment – is being met with a flood of negative news reports of leaks and being answered with ballooning budgets.

The recent rash of headlines – about radioactive leaks, exposed workers and contaminated fish – paints a bleak picture, but to be fair all is not bad. The situation is less dire than many headlines suggest, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s declaration in September that things are “under control” is not a permanent solution to the nuclear issue. a legitimate claim.

Nuclear agents and middle men make plenty of money at the cost of fearful populations across the globe.

The situation at Fukushima is not a film story, but the real threat to human survival and so the stakes are enormous. But the regimes continue to help the nuclear lobbyists and try to ignore the real radioactivity threats.

Japanese regime seeks to promote capitalism by somehow retain all nuke plants and also start new ones. These capitalism agents indeed care a damn about their security of the people while trying to develop nukes. Still now, two-and-a-half years on from the initial disaster, the water at the nuclear plant has yet to be tamed. The site is awash with continuous underground flows and rainwater, becoming tainted by radioactive matter on their passage through the area.

The amount of water in the system grows by some 400 tons per day, equal to the carrying capacity of about 13 large gasoline trucks. However, this volume is only the net inflow. Recent radioactivity trends in groundwater samples suggest leakage is occurring out of the basements and trenches and into the ground below. As groundwater migrates towards the sea, and as tides rise and fall, some of this leaked contaminated water is carried away. In August, Tepco concluded that this leakage appears to have been going on since the initial accident, constituting the single largest source of continuing contamination entering the environment and migrating to the harbor. Rainwater is also a complicating factor. Because dripping pipes and puddles are the key indicators of tank leaks and require investigation, wet weather creates a great deal more work.

The response has been to furiously build more water storage tanks, but more tanks also inevitably mean more leaks, which in turn lead to greater public outcry. The government must recognize the impending danger to humanity by their nonsensical show nuclear plants which, according to many specialists, is an unsustainable path. Hence it is better to shut down all nuclear plants and use other means for electricity generation.

As the volume of contaminated water continues to grow, and as stories of spills and leaks pile up, one wonders for how long it will remain possible or sensible to try to contain and retain all that water- as it is being constantly challenged by the relentless natural forces of groundwater and rain.. Perhaps, the capitalist terrorracies have not yet gauged the serious danger emanating from the Nuclear plants and hence do not bother about ending nuclear plants.

د. عبد راف

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Conscience of Pakistan: Supreme Court orders military to produce prisoners!

Conscience of Pakistan: Supreme Court orders military to produce prisoners!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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It looks Judiciary in Pakistan is at war not with the state but with the military, considered to be a state with state.

The courts in Pakistan have increasingly challenged both the civilian government and the powerful military since Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry led street protests that toppled army leader Pervez Musharraf in 2008.

The Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled on 06th December Friday that the army must produce the “suspects” to show they were still alive. On Saturday 14 men with scarves across their faces were led from a van with blackened windows into the judges’ chambers, which were closed to the press.

Court documents showed that the men included some of the 35 prisoners. However court officials said some were prisoners and some their relatives who could identify them. They refused to specify how many of the 14 were prisoners.

Pakistan’s military, widely regarded as enjoying impunity, partially complied with a Supreme Court ruling on 07th December by producing some of the hundreds of prisoners it has been holding in secret without charge.

This is an important step as the Human rights lawyers and relatives of hundreds of missing prisoners have been fighting for years to get information about the detainees, a few of whom had links to radical mosques. Some disappeared from jail; others were picked up by security forces and never seen again. Most have not appeared in court charged with a crime, while others were acquitted but seized after they were freed.

But the security agencies complain that Pakistan’s criminal courts, which have an overall conviction rate of between five and ten percent, simply release militant suspects. Police investigations are notoriously poor and judges subject to intimidation.

This latest case was brought to the Supreme Court by relatives of 35 prisoners who have not heard from them since they were handed over to the army by the head of Malakand jail in 2012. There were no official orders and it is unclear why the prisoners were handed over to the military.

More prisoners might be produced after the weekend, said Maj. Gen. Arif Nazir, acting secretary of defence. “We have complied with the court’s orders as much as we could today, we will try to comply with the remaining orders on 09th December.” He also refused to say how many prisoners were among the group of masked men or confirm their identities.

The case of the 35 detainees fits a wider pattern where prisoners go missing in custody, said Amina Janjua, the lawyer for hundreds of missing families and the husband of a prisoner missing for eight years She said she had received 235 cases of missing people in the past two months alone, mostly from Swat Valley, a mountainous area a few hours drive from the capital.

Since 2008, the Supreme Court has heard several complaints over the cases of the missing prisoners, but the military has usually refused to produce them. Before the Supreme Court hearing on 07th December, families camped in the capital Islamabad with pictures and posters showing their missing relatives.

The only other time prisoners have appeared was last year. Seven men were produced out of a group of 11 that were taken from Adiala jail in 2010. They were so malnourished and badly injured they could barely walk, Janjua said. The other four men had died in custody..

Supreme Court Chief Justice Chaudhry, who dealt with the missing persons cases has placed the military and its intelligence agency under unprecedented scrutiny, is due to retire on December 12. It is unclear if his successor will pursue such cases with the same vigor.

It is unfortunate that most most states and their militaries, who should be commuted to the people’s welfare, misbehave with people, especially, terrorize them, by misusing the NATO terror plank.

When top terrocracy USA tortures and kills people in secret prisons world wide by calling them the suspects, every other terrocracy takes US horror techniques as a democratic boon.

As a major ally of NATO in South Asia, Pakistan is torturing the so-called suspects in order not only to keep the American bosses in good humors, but, alas, also to get service charges in terror goods. .

The prisoners will be returned to detention, but the partial compliance with the court ruling was a rare concession from the military, which has ruled the country for more than half of its history.

Can such court orders possible in world’s largest but fake democracies like USA or India or Israel that are being ruled directly by the multimillionaires, corporates and military?

Silence please!

د. عبد راف

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Washington signals Palestine independence!

Washington signals Palestine independence

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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Even as the Zionist regime tries its level best by tactfully using its western sponsors in Mideast, Palestine people continue to struggle to make their own home on their territories, now illegally occupied and terrorized by an arrogantly fascist Israel.

From what US president barrack Obama and foreign secretary John Kerry say humanity get assured of a genuinely independent Palestine state emerging in Mideast to achieve peace and prosperity, existing along side Israel without any threat to its existence.

President Obama has unambiguously warned Israel that without Palestine it can enjoy full sovereignty in real terms and its security is tied to peace deal with Palestine when it comes into force.

In fact had Ariel Sharon lived in good health – he is now stated to be in perpetual comma in an Israeli hospital- Palestine state would have become a reality by now.

It was under his leadership that Gaza Strip got freedom form Israeli fascist military. But his successors have tried to upset peace momentum by attacking Palestine intermittently, killing innocent people, including children.

It for the first time since ages when Israel was assisted by USA-UK terror twins to occupy Palestine lands and establish Israel to grow into a fascist state.

US President Barack Obama and his Secretary of State, John Kerry, said that a peace deal that maintains Israel’s security and creates an independent Palestinian state next to Israel, is possible.

The statements come after Kerry concluded his latest foray into the Mideast region on Friday the 06 th December where he and retired US general John Allen presented Israel with a detailed security plan, including an Israeli presence in the Jordan valley between Israel and Jordan for the next five years, a key Israeli security demand.

Israeli officials have said that while they were not satisfied with the US plan’s terms, they had not rejected the agreement outright. The Palestinian Authority said an Israeli presence in the Jordan valley was maintaining the illegal occupation, but said they were committed to continuing the negotiations with Israeli criminal regime.

Israel, which believes that a wholesale pullout from the West Bank would deprive it of strategic depth, has said that it must maintain strategic military bases in the West Bank and a presence in the Jordan River Valley.

While occupying Palestine and brutally expanding illegal colonies inside Palatine, Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu, as all Zionist leaders have done so far, has maintained, as a routine rhetoric to garner more terror goods from USA and EU members states, that he would not approve of any security deal that would compromise Israel’s security.

US foreign secretary John Kerry has been heavily engaged in the peace process since he assumed office in February but his unconditional support form the Zionist crimes in Palestine does not indicate any real heart at White House where the Israeli lobbyists bribe and influence the US leaders and officials for favors against Palestine. Kerry therefore has struggled to maintain negotiations between the two sides since they resumed talks in July after a three year hiatus.

Palestinian negotiators have since tendered their resignation after the Israeli government, as a usual slap on Obama and US peace process, approved the construction of thousands of new homes in communities outside of the 1967 borders.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who faces tough calls from Hamas government in Gaza Strip on the need to participate in the Israeli sponsored fake peace talks. has refused to accept their resignation, and has said that he will continue to discuss terms with the Israelis despite the setbacks.

President Obama, known for his political gimmicks as the chief protector and defender of imperialist world, must initiate tough steps to make Israel see reason for making peace with Palestinians by granting them full and complete independence that will naturally herald a fundamentally and historically new horizon of peace prosperity of Mideast and further, leading to peaceful global atmosphere beyond the region

Israel has the means and knows the routes how to break all peace deals and look for ways to silence the besieged Palestinians with the help of Egypt though terror blockades.

If USA uses only pleasing words to monstrous Israel to consider their security being linked with Palestine security- that is certainly not enough, that is indeed absolutely nonsense, knowing what Israel is.

Israel will read such bogus US message as a simple joke.

Time running out for Obama!

Already Obama has wasted opportunities to create Palestine state, especially by voting against UN vote for the Palestine statehood. Obama committed another crime by vising Israel and refusing to visit Gaza Strip. Obama, however, thinks he not punishable for such anti-humanity or anti-Islam crimes.

Israel thinks USA will always shield the Zionist criminals as its prime duty and hence it would not listen to Washington on its suggestions on Palestine.

Even now, President Obama has the power to make Israel listen to international outcry against perpetual Israeli crimes in favor of Palestine and what he needs is the will to perform his duties to the mankind.

Mere US rhetoric is jot enough!

Time running out for Obama, too!

He needs to prove his real worth as the top statesman.

د. عبد راف

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Combating Indian corruption: Anna Hazare launches Lokpal agitation, again!

Combating Indian corruption: Anna Hazare launches Lokpal agitation, again!

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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Anti-corruption movement and Common-man (Aam Admi) politics have threatened all political parties by their spectacular show at the hustings in Delhi They also promise to create an essential sea-change in Indian politics that has remained rotten for too long- both nationally and regionally, where the politicians make merry along with corporate class and rich and at the cost of common people. .

India’s veteran Gandhian activist Anna Hazare who has threatened all corrupt political parties, including the Hindutva Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with slow extinction, almost decimated the ruling Congress led governments in the just concluded regional polls where the party is almost completely routed from political map, launched an indefinite hunger strike at his village in Maharashtra state to press for the passage of the Jan Lokpal Bill to end corruption at high levels.

In the chilly 6 degrees Celsius temperature sweeping Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, Hazare went on his usual morning walk and then started his hunger strike under the banner of his new organisation, Jantantra Morcha.

The Jan Lokpal Bill, also referred to as the Citizen’s Ombudsman Bill, is an anti-corruption legislation drafted by civil society activists, seeking appointment of an independent high power panel to investigate cases of corruption.

Indian government and parliament had assured Hazare to pass the Lokpal bill and implement it but so far the Congress led UPA as well as the opposition parities have not bothered to implement the bill mainly because, cutting across political colors and parties, unfortunately for Indian democracy, most of the politicians and parties are corruption ridden.

Delhi has become a hotbed for power hungry politicians of BJP now fearing the rise of Common-man Party. AAP, a debutant political party, has emerged as the second largest party in the 2013 Delhi assembly elections with 28 seats after the BJP, which has won 31 seats. Both of them lack the absolute majority (36 seats) needed to form the government.

The phenomenon rise of Common-man party in Delhi polls has sent a strong message across India of warning to all political parties doing business in the name of “serving the nation” to stop fooling the people and star working fro redressing their genuine concerns- so far ignored by parties and leaders that seek huge profits from politics.

As uncertainty prevailed over the next government in Delhi, the Aam Aadmi Party refused to form an alliance with other parties, and said it will sit in the opposition or go for re-polls in the state, if that would bring a clearer result. “We are ready to sit in the opposition or contest for the re-elections as we do not have the absolute majority to form the government,” said AAP leader Manish Sisodia after coming out of the core group meeting held at party convener Arvind Kejriwal’s residence. AAP said ‘We will play the role of a responsible opposition party, there was no question of alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party or the Congress, as it was already made clear by Arvind Kejriwal that AAP would neither support nor approach any party for alliance. We will play the role of a responsible opposition party

The AAP founding leader, Arvind Kejriwal made it clear that the party will form the government only if it achieves majority by following the natural process and not by forming alliance with any of the parties whose records are full of corruption allegations. he doe snot want to entertain horsetrading by offering money to the independently elected members of the assembly, as has been the practice in Indian political history.

Meanwhile, former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit who lost to Kejriwal in New Delhi constituency and also lost the government for the party’s pathetic performance , said the Congress has not taken any decision on forming an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) so far. “We haven’t taken a decision on supporting AAP. The AAP has categorically said that it does not want to support anybody, nor do they require anybody’s support. It is their decision.” Dikshit told a TV channel.”On what might have gone wrong with the Congress’s poor performance in the assembly polls, she said: “We haven’t yet studied the whole thing. “When we went to the elections, we went with absolute faith and confidence that our record of good governance in Delhi would be a factor that would make us win. Apparently, it wasn’t the factor. We would have to look into what has happened,” she said.

BJP is deeply worried about die hard leaders of Aam Aadmai party who are fully committed to stamp out corruption and BJP people ahve laready tasted pwoer and money and they need more

BJP knows Congress party sis not the only target of the Common -man party but BJP is very much their target as well.

If it opt for power , they fear, the BJP would be just finished just as Congress party has suffered, although BJP gained a lot from Lokpal demonstrations and Aam Admi party campaign.

Not only in Delhi where the bJP would face wrath of the Aam Aadami party and people, but also at national n level too the party would be routed if they fail in Delhi.

Anna Hazare’s resumption of anti-corruption struggle could weaken both Congress and BJP as well as other national parties that seek huge profits at the cost of human misery.

Abraham Lincoln is perfectly on the dot when he said none can fool the world for ever!

Aam Admi Party has the potential to make India corruption free- at least to some extent to begin with.

د. عبد راف

Iran wants South Asia free from US forces

Iran wants South Asia free from US forces

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

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1. US agenda in Afghanistan, region

Obviously, Americans are the real protectors Mideast or South Asia, not do have any interest in sincerely helping the humanity.

They are interested in their so-called national interests they work for protecting them by using nations in every region.

Upon the fall of Soviet Russia, USA became the sole super power with unlimited arms and powers, seeking military supremacy and total allegiance of all world powers to USA.

USA has now come to control even the far off Silk Road in South Asia by tactfully using the Sept-11 hoax and Pakistani general Pervez Musharraf to invade Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Now the Pentagon and its western allies are well settled in both destabilized Muslim nations by controlling the regimes there in these countries. .

The superpower USA is eager to continue to control the region and therefore has never been honest in information transformation with Afghanistan. is pressing Karzai to sign a deal to extend its military presence past 2014, when NATO and United Nations mandates expire and all foreign troops leave the country.

Iran is increasing ties with its neighbor Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai is currently in Afghanistan for talks with Iran’s leaders. .

Annoyed with continued US military presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan, destabilizing the region, Iran wants South Asia free from US forces.

Iran has long opposed any planned agreement to allow US forces to remain stationed on its doorstep in neighboring Afghanistan. The two countries have about 945 kilometers (580 miles) of common borders.

Iran believes that countries of the Gulf are capable of managing security through regional security pacts. Americans should not worry too much about the security of South Asia and Persian Gulf.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said on 08 December that his country opposes the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan and the region, saying their presence generates tension.

Rouhani said Iran opposes any foreign forces in the region, the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, where the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet has a base in the tiny kingdom of Bahrain.

Rouhani therefore asked foreign forces out of Afghanistan as early as possible. Rouhani reportedly asked the visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai to let the foreign military forces to leave the lands of Afghans. so that people can take full control over its security and economic prosperity: “We are concerned about tensions caused by foreign forces’ presence in the region. We believe that all foreign forces should leave the region and that the security of Afghanistan should be handed over to people of the country.” He also called for more cooperation between Tehran and Kabul. Karzai left Tehran soon after meeting Rouhani and his Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran sees its role in promoting a peaceful region around it.

2. Iran-Afghanistan relations

Afghan President Hamid Karzai arrived in Iran for talks on 08th December amid disagreement with the United States over a security accord that would allow some NATO forces to stay in Afghanistan. The proposed deal allowing NATO troops to operate in Afghanistan after 2014 will be discussed during the talks.

Karzai meets President Hassan Rouhani — for the second time in four months in Tehran — and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

Iran’s position on the BSA is that it would not serve the interests of its eastern neighbour. “Iran does not see the signing and ratifying of this security pact to be beneficial for the long-term interests of the people and government of Afghanistan..

Iran strongly backs Karzai’s stance in refusing to sign the deal. Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Iran straight after an awkward visit to Kabul by US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel. To the growing dismay of Washington, Karzai has been refusing to sign a deal allowing NATO troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond next year, a position strongly backed by Iran. Hagel flew into Kabul on 07 December amid disagreement over whether he would even meet the Afghan president in the face of the security pact row. US officials said no meeting was scheduled right now.

Iran has long opposed NATO’s presence in Afghanistan and is the only country to have asked Karzai not to sign the agreement. Rouhani reinforced that message after meeting Karzai. “All foreign troops should be withdrawn from the region, the) security of Afghanistan should be entrusted to the Afghan people.”

Afghan President Hamid Karzai agreed on a long term cooperation pact with Iran , an Afghan official said, while continuing to resist signing a long-term security agreement with the USA.

The pact will be for long-term political, security, economic and cultural cooperation, regional peace and security. Karzai struck the deal with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran in a move that will be greeted with suspicion by his U.S. ally, which is trying to convince him to sign the security accord governing any post-2014 U.S. presence in Afghanistan. He said a formal document would be prepared and signed soon.

In August Afghanistan signed a strategic cooperation pact with Iran covering mainly security issues, but the proposed new agreement would have much broader scope.

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Many Afghans believe such a bargain with Iran, at odds with the United States since the 1979 Islamic revolution, may harm Afghanistan’s uneasy relationship with its Western allies.

Karzai trip to Tehran comes a day after an awkward visit to Kabul by US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel amid growing disagreement with the Afghan president over the long-delayed security accord. Hagel did not meet Karzai, which would have been customary for a Pentagon chief, saying that Kabul was already aware of the US position.

3. US-Afghanistan row

With a view to prolonging the illegal military stay plus terror operations in Afghanistan, USA and its allies have appealed to Karzai to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), which lays out the rules for US and other NATO troops to operate in the country after 2014 on a mission focused on training, and countering Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.

Washington and its allies have appealed to Karzai to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA). This lays out the rules for US and other NATO troops to operate in the country after 2014 on a mission focused on training, and countering Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.

The US bilateral security pact is a decade-long agreement that would provide a legal basis for about 8,000 U.S. troops to stay on after the NATO-led combat mission ends next year. The new security agreement sets the legal conditions to permit roughly 12,000 NATO troops — mostly American — to remain in Afghanistan.

Karzai initially endorsed the BSA, but has since refused to sign it and issued fresh demands. Its future was thrown into doubt last month when Karzai said he would sign only if new conditions were met, and then only after Afghanistan’s elections in April.

The United States has made its position on the BSA clear. And just two days ago, President Karzai repeated his position to senior US officials that he is not yet ready to sign the BSA and provided no timeline or practical step for doing so.

Iran voiced criticism of the proposed US pact, saying it would not serve the interests of its eastern neighbour. Tehran does not see the signing and ratifying of this security pact to be beneficial for the long-term interests of the people and government of Afghanistan.

However, in order to quell tension with USA and its allies, Iran signed an interim agreement with USA over its nuclear plan with world powers last month. Rouhani has been trying to convince chronic skeptics abroad and hard-liners at home that the move was not compromising on key issues of national sovereignty.

Israel has repeatedly criticized the US-Iran deal and called it a “historic mistake”, saying economic sanctions must be toughened, not eased. Iran’s Defense Minister Gen. Hosein Dehghan called the remarks by Israeli and American counterparts “threatening,” adding that they pave the ground for mistrust toward the US while revealing the influence of Israel — Iran’s arch enemy — on Washington.

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel laid out steps to beef up defense cooperation between states within the Gulf region, while at the same time insisting that America’s military commitment to the Middle East will continue. In a speech to Gulf leaders he also made it clear that the emerging global agreement that would limit Iran’s nuclear program doesn’t mean the security threat from that Islamic republic is over.

د. عبد راف

Indian regional Polls: Congress loses hold, Common-man party in Delhi downs national parties. -DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL _______________ As speculated by us, the Common-man party (Aam Admi party) which was formed just 9 months ago, is on its way to rule Delhi state, including India’s capital city, obviously in a coalition. However the news has become shock for all national parties, including the Congress party and Hindutva BJP. India’s Congress party is headed for a bruising defeat in key state elections, including in the capital, early results showed on Sunday, underlining the struggle it will face to cling to power in a national election due by May. Congress party is completely routed in the capital, signalling bad time for the longest ruling party and the Manmohan regime. the vote count in Delhi state, which is now progressing showed that the Congress may not win even a dozen seats in the 70-member assembly. Sheila Dikshit, Delhi’s chief minister for 15 years, resigned today after the Congress was routed in the assembly elections, with she herself set to lose to Social activist and Aam Party leader Kejriwal. Dikshit submitted her resignation to Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung Aam Admi party is leading the polls almost at par with BJP party. Social activist and crusader ally of Kejriwal, Anna Hazare who spearheaded anti-corruption satyagraha for Lokpal said that defeating Sheila Dikshit is not an easy thing. People gave their mandate. BJP state president Vijay Goel told the media”We always thought of AAP as competition and we were expecting it to get double digit seats but this is surprising,” BJP state president Vijay Goel told the media. “We have done all the hard work in Delhi in the last 15 years but now AAP is reaping the benefits”. Its main opponent, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was the clear winner in three big states that went to the polls, though with the count still on it was a neck-and-neck race in a fourth. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgasarh have rejected Congress party. BJP is seen as a pro-capitalist and corrupt party. Markets are closely tracking the outcome of the elections, considered a bellwether of support for the BJP’s business-friendly candidate for prime minister, Narendra Modi. Bond, rupee and share prices rose last week after exit polls predicted a strong BJP performance. However, it was unclear how far Modi’s vigorous campaigning of recent months had contributed to the BJP’s strong showing. Congress, led by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has led the national government for two terms and is facing widespread voter anger over corruption, slowing growth and stubborn inflation. The Congress party’s poor performance in the state assembly elections may bring fresh pressure for an overhaul of its national campaign, which is headed by Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi is the next in line in a political dynasty that began with his great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. Gandhi’s campaign, focused on the Congress government’s welfare programs, has failed to capture the imagination of many of India’s aspirational young voters. PM Manmohan Singh does not have any mass following and he did not contest the parliamentary polls but was nominated to the parliament form Assam quota. While the results are expected to add to the momentum Modi has built in dozens of packed rallies in recent months, India’s fragmented political landscape makes national elections harder to predict. In three of the four state elections counted on 08 December, the election was a two-way race between the BJP and Congress, which is unusual in a country whose states are increasingly governed by powerful regional parties. In the past, strong state results have not always translated into success in national elections. In Delhi, the one state which saw a three-way contest, the BJP’s rise in votes after 15 years of Congress rule was tempered by an unexpectedly strong showing by the new anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party, which could deny it the majority required to rule. Supporters of the new party celebrated in the streets, waving brooms to symbolize sweeping out rotten politicians after several years of spectacular corruption scandals. “The Aam Aadmi Party has brought idealism into politics,” said AAP activist Atishi Marlena. However, Congress, as usual, played down ramifications of the state elections setback. “We accept the verdict of the people and we will introspect,” said Congress minister Jayanthi Natarajan. “This is by no means the full picture for the general elections.” The verdict in stat polls clearly show that it is an anti-Congress tsunami. Congress party will have to revise its poll strategy for the parliamentary polls due next.year. Congress party must take the alienated Muslim population into confidence by taking care of their genuine concerns, especially the quick rebuilding of the Babri Mosque, demolished by the Hindutva parties led by BJP-Sivasena and the state security apparatus and media fanatics. One thing is certain: Aam Admi party is in India to stay and form Delhi the party is likely to spread all over the nation. following the Delhi results. After all, Delhiites have admired the anti-corruption campaign by the youth of Indian capital under the able leadership of Kejriwal who is likely to be the next chief minster of Delhi. د. عبد راف -BY DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL has been an educationist, Columnist-Commentator on world affairs Expert on Mideast Affairs, Chronicler of Foreign occupations & Freedom movements (Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Xinjiang, Chechnya, etc.) Chancellor-Founder of Centor for International Affairs(CIA); Former university Teacher; Editor:INTERNATIONAL OPINION; FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES; Author of books;website: http://abdulruff.wordpress.com/ mail: abdulruff_jnu@yahoo.com/Phone: 91-8129081217—(Account: No 62310377429 – CIF No: 78215311481- State Bank of Hyderabad, India) _____________________ Terrorism is caused by anti-Islamic forces. Anti-Islamism is more dangerous than “terrorism”. Fake democracies have zero-tolerance to any criticism of their anti-Muslim and other aggressive practices.

Indian regional Polls: Congress loses hold, Common-man party in Delhi downs national parties.

-DR. ABDUL RUFF COLACHAL

_______________

As speculated by us, the Common-man party (Aam Admi party) which was formed just 9 months ago, is on its way to rule Delhi state, including India’s capital city, obviously in a coalition. However the news has become shock for all national parties, including the Congress party and Hindutva BJP.

India’s Congress party is headed for a bruising defeat in key state elections, including in the capital, early results showed on Sunday, underlining the struggle it will face to cling to power in a national election due by May.

Congress party is completely routed in the capital, signalling bad time for the longest ruling party and the Manmohan regime. the vote count in Delhi state, which is now progressing showed that the Congress may not win even a dozen seats in the 70-member assembly.

Sheila Dikshit, Delhi’s chief minister for 15 years, resigned today after the Congress was routed in the assembly elections, with she herself set to lose to Social activist and Aam Party leader Kejriwal. Dikshit submitted her resignation to Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung

Aam Admi party is leading the polls almost at par with BJP party.

Social activist and crusader ally of Kejriwal, Anna Hazare who spearheaded anti-corruption satyagraha for Lokpal said that defeating Sheila Dikshit is not an easy thing. People gave their mandate. BJP state president Vijay Goel told the media”We always thought of AAP as competition and we were expecting it to get double digit seats but this is surprising,” BJP state president Vijay Goel told the media. “We have done all the hard work in Delhi in the last 15 years but now AAP is reaping the benefits”.

Its main opponent, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was the clear winner in three big states that went to the polls, though with the count still on it was a neck-and-neck race in a fourth. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgasarh have rejected Congress party.

BJP is seen as a pro-capitalist and corrupt party. Markets are closely tracking the outcome of the elections, considered a bellwether of support for the BJP’s business-friendly candidate for prime minister, Narendra Modi. Bond, rupee and share prices rose last week after exit polls predicted a strong BJP performance. However, it was unclear how far Modi’s vigorous campaigning of recent months had contributed to the BJP’s strong showing.

Congress, led by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, has led the national government for two terms and is facing widespread voter anger over corruption, slowing growth and stubborn inflation.

The Congress party’s poor performance in the state assembly elections may bring fresh pressure for an overhaul of its national campaign, which is headed by Rahul Gandhi. Gandhi is the next in line in a political dynasty that began with his great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister. Gandhi’s campaign, focused on the Congress government’s welfare programs, has failed to capture the imagination of many of India’s aspirational young voters.

PM Manmohan Singh does not have any mass following and he did not contest the parliamentary polls but was nominated to the parliament form Assam quota.

While the results are expected to add to the momentum Modi has built in dozens of packed rallies in recent months, India’s fragmented political landscape makes national elections harder to predict.

In three of the four state elections counted on 08 December, the election was a two-way race between the BJP and Congress, which is unusual in a country whose states are increasingly governed by powerful regional parties. In the past, strong state results have not always translated into success in national elections.

In Delhi, the one state which saw a three-way contest, the BJP’s rise in votes after 15 years of Congress rule was tempered by an unexpectedly strong showing by the new anti-corruption Aam Aadmi (Common Man) Party, which could deny it the majority required to rule.

Supporters of the new party celebrated in the streets, waving brooms to symbolize sweeping out rotten politicians after several years of spectacular corruption scandals. “The Aam Aadmi Party has brought idealism into politics,” said AAP activist Atishi Marlena.

However, Congress, as usual, played down ramifications of the state elections setback. “We accept the verdict of the people and we will introspect,” said Congress minister Jayanthi Natarajan. “This is by no means the full picture for the general elections.”

The verdict in stat polls clearly show that it is an anti-Congress tsunami. Congress party will have to revise its poll strategy for the parliamentary polls due next.year.

Congress party must take the alienated Muslim population into confidence by taking care of their genuine concerns, especially the quick rebuilding of the Babri Mosque, demolished by the Hindutva parties led by BJP-Sivasena and the state security apparatus and media fanatics.

One thing is certain: Aam Admi party is in India to stay and form Delhi the party is likely to spread all over the nation. following the Delhi results.

After all, Delhiites have admired the anti-corruption campaign by the youth of Indian capital under the able leadership of Kejriwal who is likely to be the next chief minster of Delhi.

د. عبد راف

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