Ahimsa Times 2007 09 SrNo 87

SR No.: 523587
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Ahimsa Times
Publisher: Ahimsa Times
Publication Year: 2007
Total Pages: 14
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Ahimsa Times, & India
File Size: 309 KB

Page 11

AHIMSA TIMES - SEPTEMBER 2007 ISSUE - www.jainsamaj.org
Page 11 of 14
the preamble of the constitution, which talks of social, political and economic justice'. 'We cannot implement even the first line of the constitution, and at the same time there are moves to undermine minority rights through possible constitutional amendments as this!', he explains. 'Minorities are being reduced to the status of beggars, living at the mercy of the state or the majority for their rights, which are increasingly sought to be curtailed. Every organ of the state is being pressed into service to insult and humiliate the minorities and deprive us of our rights', he insists.
Says MP Raju, a senior advocate and leading Indian Christian legal scholar, 'Even if the amendment is not made, we still have to raise our voice against efforts to curtail minority rights by defining minorities at the state level, in the face of certain recent supreme court judgments that seek to redefine minorities in this way and to do away with the minority character of an institution if it does not have at least half of its seats filled by that particular minority. That would, for instance, mean that practically all Christian educational institutions in north India would at once cease to be considered as minority institutions as they have well below less than half Christian students'. He critiques these judgments, most notably in the TM Pai case, as reflecting a 'restrictive, rather than expansive, interpretation of minority rights'. He argues that if minorities were to henceforth be defined state-wise rather than at the national level, it would represent 'over-federalism' as well as a 'non-harmonious interpretation of the Indian constitution', adding that minority rights need protection at both the state as well as national levels.
Besides the ominous implications of the proposed constitutional amendment for minority rights, it is the perceived arbitrary manner in which the government is said to be going ahead with it that has raised the ire of human rights and minority rights activists. Surely, the draft of an amendment of such import must be first made public and publicly discussed and debated before it can go ahead. - Mr. Yoginder Sikand is associated with the Centre for Jawaharla Nehru Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
DEVLOK GAMAN
Muni Shri Milap Chand Ji maharaj breathed his last on the 27th September, 2007 at the age of 71 years after a prolonged illness, having accepted the vow of santhara with samadhimaran. He belonged to Swetambar Sthanakwasi sect and was the disciple of Gyan Gachhadhipati Shri Prakash Chand Ji maharaj. He had accepted diksha in the holy presence of Shri Champa Lal Ji maharaj at Ajmer. He was born in Oswal Jain Bohra family in Pisagan village, Ajmer district. Currently, he had been staying at Balotra town in Rajasthan for the last seven years due to his failing health. Hundreds of devotees from different places in Rajasthan arrived at Balotra to participate in the procession and have his last darshan. The procession was taken out through the town in a specially decorated palanquin and was attended byquite a few thousand people,
Muni Shri Sangeet Kumar Ji, disciple of Acharya Shri mahpragya Ji, belonging to Swetambar Terapanth sect left for his heavenly abode on Friday, the 28th September, 2007 at the age of 61 years at Siriyari a small town in Pali dist, of rajasthan. This is the place where the first acharya of Terapanth sect Acharya Bhikshu had left for Devlok and his samadhi attracts thousands of devotees every year. A large number of devotees came from far and nearby places had his last darshan and attended the procesion carrying the body of revered sadhu.
MISSING - KANRAJ GULECHA (SURESH) - ANDHRA PRADESH
Kanraj Gulecha is missing from 5th September 2007 from Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. If any information is available with you about his whereabouts please contact his elder brother Mr. Tej Raj Gulecha, at 12/5, Second Floor, Dickenson Road, Bangalore - 560042. Telephone : 094 484 74208 / 098 440 66064, Fax: 080-41135897.
Physical Details - Height - 5' 8", Age - 43 Years, Color - Wheatish. Appropriate award for information. Information can also be given to the Editor, Ahimsa Times, 9, Pusa Road, New Delhi -
http://jainsamaj.org/magazines/september 2007.htm
8/11/2009