A gang of gold-chain snatchers smashed by Kurukshetra Police

Kurukshetra, December 23 --- As the residents of Kurukshetra were feeling terrorized with a number of gold chain snatching cases recently during day time, the Kurukshetra police today claimed to have smashed a gang of gold chain snatchers with the arrest of its ring leader Ravi alias Chauttu, a resident of Panipat, from Pipli, near here last evening.

According to Superintendent of Police, Simardeep Singh the accused has committed ten gold chain snatchings during the last three months in Kurukshetra and Sonepat, after coming out of jail. Out of this 7 were committed in Kurukshetra district while three were committed in Sonepat.

A stolen splendour motor-cycle, which they used to rid while chain snatchings and gold chains worth 98 thousands of rupees were found in his possession.

During interrogation the accused confessed that he along with his two associates namely Satbir Singh alias Kala r/o Sonepat and Rakesh r/o Panipat had committed these robberies.  

SP disclosed that Ravi had been involved in over three dozen cases of robberies and chain snatching in Haryana and was arrested by crime branch in 2014. He came out of jail in the month of October last, and started committing robberies and chain snatching in association with his friends again. He used to steal motor-cycles for committing crime and the leave it at parking place at far of place.

He was produced before local court that sent him to police custody for one day.

 Haryana CM skipped clear answer about renaming Kurukshetra University

Kurukshetra, December 21--- The Haryana Chief Minister today skipped clear answer to the question whether there is any move to change the name of Kurukshetra University to that of Bhagwadgita University at present.

In reply a question from the media persons at the banks of Bharamsarovar here today that whether the name of the oldest University of Haryana is being changed, as proposed by Haryana Education Minister, the Chief Minister said ‘aabhi Kurukshetra University ka nam Kurukshetra University hai’, (at present Kurukshetra University’s name is Kurukshetra University), and CM walked away with smile.

Later, local BJP, MLA from Thanesar, Subhash Sudha, assured media persons and few eminent citizens that the name of Kurukshetra University would not be changed and said that Chief Minister had also hinted about it earlier.

It may be recalled that the Haryana Education minister Haryana education Minister, Rambilas Sharma on Friday last raised a controversy at the international seminar on ‘Bhagwadgita ki Sarvbhom Prasangata’ at the shribhagwadgita sadan-University auditorium- on Kurukshetra university campus here, by proposing that the name of Kurukshetra University be changed on the name of Shribhagwadgita.

Everyone in the audience was taken aback, when Sharma breaking all protocols rushed towards the mike, after the Haryana Governor, Kaptan Singh Solanki, started moving towards the mike to give his presidential speech. While the Governor kept on waiting for over a minute on the left side of the Minister, Sharma said that ‘hum sab yaha majod logo ka vichar hai ke University ka name badal kar bhagwadgita par rakh dia jave’ (all present here desire that the name of the University be changed to ShrimadBhagwadgita).

Though the Governor did not mentioned the demand made by the Education Minister in his address but later while talking to mediapersons he said that as the proposal has be made by the Minister, ‘we would consider it’.

The proposal received such a spontaneous reaction from the acedemicians and the citizen of the town that they confronted the Minister after the seminar and expressed their resentment over the proposal.

It may be recalled that the attempts were made earlier also twice to change the name of the University by Congress government and later INLD government but they have to revert back following tremendous protests by the people who claim that name of Kurukshetra which get mention in the first ‘shaloka’ of Shrimadbhagwadgita as ‘dharmakashetra-kurukshetra’ is above all and it could not be changed.

Even the political parties including Congress and INLD through statements and resolutions criticised the proposal of Education Minister and suggested that a new Institution may be established here on the name of Shrimadbhagwadgita, if the BJP government is so keen about it.

Organisations and academicians strongly reacted to proposal to rename Kurukshetra University  

Kurukshetra, December 19--- A large number of organisations and academicians has reacted strongly against the proposal floated by Haryana Education Minister, Rambilas Sharma, on Friday here that the name of Kurukshetra University- oldest university of Haryana- be changed to Bhagwadgita University.

The proposal made by the Education minister in the presence of Haryana Governor, Kaptan Singh Solanki, who is also the Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, at the international seminar on ‘Bhagwadgita ki Sarvabhog Prasangitha’ held at Bhagwadgita sadan auditorium of Kurukshetra University, generated such spontaneous controversy that many academicians and citizen raised protest over the move immediately after the seminar, with the Minister.  

President of Kurukshetra University Teachers Association (KUTA), Dr. Pramesh Kumar said here today that KUTA is demanding to raise the University’s status to that of Central University for a long time, but the government had done nothing about it, and now education minister had proposed to change its name. He said that KUTA strongly condemned this move and warned a state level agitation if the move is not dropped. Dr. Pramesh, who is also the President of Haryana University and College Teachers Federation, alleged that efforts are being made to damage the importance and reputation of Kurukshetra University.

President, Students Federation of India (SFI) Shahnawaj said that BJP believe only in controversies. It has started a controversy by demanding the naming of Mohali airport on the name of its late leader Dr. Mangal Sain, against name of Sardar Bhagat Singh proposed by Punjab Government. Now it has started another controversy by demanding the change of Kurukshetra University’s name.  

He alleged that rather than establishing new educational Institutions, the BJP government is playing politics by naming old Institutions. He warned that students all over the state would protest on the roads if the proposal is not dropped.  

Former President, All India Brahman and Jironaudhar Sabha, Jai Narayan Sharma, said that Kurukshetra is know all over the world. And efforts made earlier twice to change University’s name were opposed by the people throughout Haryana, to make them unsuccessful. He warned that all social religious organisations of the town would jointly fight the proposal tooth and nail.

President of Haryana INLD, Ashok Arora, said that they respect Bhagwadgita, but they would support government if it created a new Institutions and name it on Bhagwadgita, rather than changing the name of the oldest university of the State. He said that Haryana government had already announced to establish medical college in each district of state, so an AIIMS or a medical college should be established on the name of Bhagwadgita, at the earliest, here, to fulfil desire of education minister. He felt that Kurukshetra is linked with Bhagwadgita, as it was delivered here by Lord Krishana, so Kurukshetra have its own relevance.   

Former President Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee cum former Member of Rajya Sabha, Dr. Ram Prakash opposed the move saying that Kurukshetra University has earned its name during 58 years of its inception and it would be injustice to the residents of Kurukshetra if University’s name is changed.

An eminent 85 years old academician associated with RSS, Dr. Himmat Singh Sinha, observed that changing name would require amendment in Kurukshetra University Act by the Haryana assembly, and hoped that by that time good sense would prevail.

Haryana Education Minister raised controversy by demanding renaming of Kurukshetra University

Haryana Education Minister raised controversy by demanding renaming of Kurukshetra University

Kurukshetra, December 18 --- Haryana education Minister, Rambilas Sharma on Friday raised a controversy at the international seminar on ‘Bhagwadgita ki Sarvbhom Prasangata’ at the shribhagwadgita sadan-University auditorium- on Kurukshetra university campus here, by proposing that the name of Kurukshetra University be changed on the name of Shribhagwadgita.

Everyone in the audience was taken aback, when Sharma rushed towards the mike, after the Haryana Governor, Kaptan Singh Solanki, started moving towards the mike to give his presidential speech. While the Governor kept on waiting for over a minute on the left side of the Minister, Sharma said that ‘hum sab yaha majod logo ka vichar hai ke University ka name badal kar bhagwadgita par rakh dia jave’ (all present here desire that the name of the University be changed to Bhagwadgita).

Though the Governor did not mentioned the demand made by the Education Minister in his address but it left many in the audience especially University teachers and prominent citizen cribbing over the proposal.

After the completion of the seminar, the education minister was confronted by some senior university teachers including President Kurukshetra University Teacher’s Association (KUTA), Dr. Pramesh Kumar, and prominent citizens including eminent social activist Vijay Sabharwal. They pointed out to the Minister that Kurukshetra itself is a name to revere as first ‘shaloka’ of Bhagwadgita started with ‘Dharamkashetra-Kurukshtera’, and the 58 years old university is famous all-over the world by its own name. Dr. Pramesh said that if at all the name is to be changed it should be named as ‘central university’ as being demanded by KUTA, and nothing elese.

Minister remained mum. However, when the mediapersons and electronic media confronted Sharma about his proposal, he saved his skin by saying that it was the proposal of the ‘sant samaj’ which he forwarded to the Governor.

When confronted by the media over the issue stating that the renaming of the University was strongly objected by the public on two occasions earlier, the Governor said that Minister has made a proposal, we would consider.

It may be recalled that the name of Kurukshetra University, which is the oldest university of Haryana established in 1958, was renamed by Bansi Lal, in 1977, during emergency, on the name of former Haryana Governor, B.N. Chakravarty. However, it was reverted back after a year when a senior History Professor of the University Prof. V.N. Duta, met the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and brought to her notice the resentment of the public here over the renaming of University on the name of an individual against historic name of Kurukshetra.

Later, the then Haryana Chief Minister O.P. Chautala again announced in 2001 announced to rename it as ‘Guru Gobind Singh’ University. However, the proposal was later dropped following strong protests made by the public here.       

Besides Haryana Governor and Education Minister, other prominent who were present on the dais were BJP General Secretary, Anil Jain, RSS ‘Sarkaryawah’ Suresh Joshi ‘Bhaya ji’, RSS leader Indresh Kumar, Subhash Sudha, BJP MLA Thanesar, Pawan Saini, BJP MLA, Ladwa, Swami Gyana Nand, President, Shrikrishana Kripa Samiti, Swami Som Giri, from Bikanar, Mohamad Hanif Khan Shastri from Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Delhi, Acharya Vivek Muni, from Jain sect, and Satpal Singh Maharaj from USA.

Photo- Haryana Governor lighting lamp to inaugurate the seminar. RSS leader Indresh Kumar is seen on his right while ‘Bhaiya ji’ is on his left  

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij lost his cool once again

Kurukshetra, December 4 --- The heat over the issue of alleged rude behaviour of Health Minister Anil Vij with the then Superintendent of Police, Fatehabad, Sangita Kalia, has not yet subsided, that the Minister once again created a ‘tense’ situation in the monthly meeting of District Public Relations and grievance redressal committee, here today, when he chided the police for not taking prompt action in the public complaints.

Deputy Superintendent of police, Thanesar, Gurmail Singh, who was representing the department of police in the absence of Superintendent of police, was scolded by Health Minister, who was presiding over the meeting, for a large number of complaints against the working of police. He said that there were as many six complaints out of total of 17 complaint which relates to police. He alleged that this shows how police were insensitive to public complaints.  

The situation became tense when he asked the DSP why the accused in a complaint of dowry and torture filed by one 28 year old Shivani Gupta, of Ladwa, were not arrested till now. The minister lost his temper when Shivani appeared in the meeting and bemoaned that she filed a complaint against her husband and his family members under anti-dowry act as well as their attempt to burn her by dowsing Kerosene oil to SP, Kurukshetra on November 15, last, but no arrest has yet been made.

DSP, Gurmail Singh, tried to explain that as per law Shanvi’s complaint was forwarded to district women cell on November 16, for mediation, and an FIR under section 498-A, 406,323 IPC was registered on the basis of complaint and investigation was on.

Minister ordered the DSP to make arrest of the accused by today’s evening in all eventuality. When the DSP showed his inability to get the custody of her children to her as it is the matter concerned to judiciary, the minister constituted a committee constituted by DSP, Gurmail Singh, Sub-divisional Magistrate, Thanesar, Satvir Kundu, as well as two public members of the committee, to enquire into the case and submit a report to him.

It may be recalled here that Vij remained in national news for last few days after in a rage he ordered the  then Fatehabad SP, Sangita Kalia, to get out of the meeting, and then himself walked out of committee when she declined to follow his order to ‘get out’.           

One alleged cow smuggler killed and one seriously injured in police encounter at Kurukshetra.

Kurukshetra, November 29--- An old famous Bombay movie with police chasing smugglers and indulging into encounters was enacted at Kurukshetra, last night. The only difference was that in movies of 70’s police used to chase gold smugglers but in this case the smuggling item was stray cows.

One person was killed and another was seriously injured in an encounter of the alleged smugglers with the police near new grain market here last night while they were trying to escape with a few stray animals in their pick-up.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP), Simardeep Singh following a tip off from someone from the grain market that few stray animals were being loaded by few persons in their jeep, the police chased the vehicle and intercepted, the accused hit the police vehicles, pelted stones and also opened fire at the police personnel with an intention to kill them. In retaliation, the police also fired upon the accused in which one of the unknown accused died and another got injured.

In a press conference, SP further said that while the injured was rushed to hospital the remaining three to four accused managed to escape. The pickup jeep bearing number HR 58 B 7828 was left abandoned at the new grain market. Upon inspection the vehicle 2 cows and 2 Bulls were found in the rear of the jeep. He said that one ‘desi katta’ (country made revolver) along with 4 live cartridges and one mobile phone were found near the body of the deceased.

He said that with the help of abandoned mobile, the deceased was identified as Abid son of Shaheed resident of Lapra, Jagadhari and the injured was identified as AAs Mohamad s/o Rais Khan r/o Lapra, Jagadhari. He said that both the accused have past crime record in district Ambala and Yamunanager. There are 8 criminal cases registered against Abid and 7 cases against Aas Mohamad.

According to SP an FIR under section 307 IPC, 25-54-59 Arms Act, and 13(2) Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act 2015, have been registered at the police station City Thanesar, on the complaint of Assistant Sub-Inspector of CIA-1 against some unknown persons who were smuggling cows in a pickup.  Aas Mohamad in serious condition has been shifted to PGI at Chandigarh.   

In reply to a question that how many rounds were fired by police, SP maintained that two to three weapons were used by the police in the retaliating encounter with smugglers. As mandatory, the deputy commissioner has ordered the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Thanesar, to conduct an enquiry into the encounter.

In reply to question that how the police arrived to the conclusion that the animals were stolen with the intent for slaughtering only, he said that it is presumed that non-milking animals are stolen with the intent to slaughter. He said that the provisions of newly enacted Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act 2015 are very stringent and probably it has been evoked in this case for the first time in Haryana.

In another similar incidence, a tempo carrying 14 animals mostly cows and bulls, got over turned near Umri village 8 kms from here when members of Gau Rakshak Sewa Dal and a police party chased the vehicle. According to SP, the smugglers managed to escape leaving the animals and vehicle on the spot. Police is investigating the case.   

Haryana BJP Minister cracked jock over holy Geeta

Kurukshetra, November 19—Though the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) governments are striving to get Geeta the status of national sculpture and introducing into school syllabus, but one of the BJP Haryana Minister surprised every one by making a jock over the holy Geeta, here at Kurukshetra on Thursday.

            Haryana Minister, Narbir Singh, who was speaking as chief guest at the national seminar on the topic of ‘relevance of Geeta in Indian Arts’ at Kurukshetra University campus here today, said that it was his bad luck that he was invited here in the seminar relating to Geeta. He said that the teachings of Geeta go off his head.

            Not only this he raised serious questions over the visit to the land of Geeta. He said that he was being invited to visit Kurukshetra since he became the Minister in Haryana. I was asking why should I come to Kurukshetra? Ten crores Yadavs were killed here and crores of Yadavs were vanished here.

In his speech the Minister seems to have forgotten that this land as called Kurukshetra-Dharamkshetra. And Union government and the state governments are working to make it an international pilgrim tourist destination.

A senior teacher of the University said that the Minister continued to feel uneasy though out the programme. He said that Narbir Singh was some time seen holding his temper and some time rubbing his eyes. Every one in the seminar was stunned by the attitude of the Minister in the seminar on holy Geeta. 

The seminar was organised by the department of Fine Arts, Kurukshetra University and about 250 students and teachers from various universities participated.  

Peep into the Past

Peep into the Past-relating to emergency

From Vijay Sabharwal

KURUKSHETRA - The imposition of an ‘Emergency’ in the country by Mrs. Indira Gandhi 40 years back saw most of the prominent opposition leaders behind bars, and most of the Congress leaders meekly bowing to the will of Mrs.Gandhi.  However, there were a few including the veteran Congress leader G.L. Nanda who even then dared to oppose this move. Mr. Nanda, who played a pivotal role in the creation of separate state of Haryana when Akalis were demanding ‘Punjabi Suba’ was, conferred the title of Bharat Rattana posthumously; during the period Mr. I.K.Gujral was the Prime Minister.

            Mrs. Gandhi had good regard for Mr. Nanda as he was instrumental in her becoming the Prime Minister. Mr. Nanda became the interim Prime Minister for the second time after the death of Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1965, but opted out of the race when Mrs. Gandhi wanted to contest for the post of the Congress Parliamentary Party leader against Morarji Desai.

            On this day of Emergency anniversary, an incident, which showed the terror prevailing at that time and the firm stand taken by Mr. Nanda, comes to my mind. It was on July 4, 1975 the birthday of Mr.Nanda, that I took late Dr.Shanti Swaroop Sharma, late Devi Dayal Nanha, Lala Naurata Ram and my late father Dharambir Sabharwal, who were close associates of Mr.Nanda in his parliamentary constituency of Kurukshetra, in my car to his residence in Delhi.  We reached in the morning to pay our best wishes to Nandaji. He came out to meet us in the small office in the lawns just opposite to the main door of the building.

            While he was discussing a few issues regarding the development of Kurukshetra, his Personnel Secretary Mr. Balraj Puri informed that there was a call from the Prime Minister’s residence.  Mr. Nanda picked up the telephone and said, “Thank you for the best wishes”.  After listening for a while more, he told the caller: “Convey my thanks to Indiraji and tell her there is no need to come here personally to wish me.”  When the caller persisted, Mr. Nanda repeated emphatically, “No, no, there is no need!”

            After replacing the telephone, Nandaji disclosed that Mrs. Gandhi wanted to come and wish him personally but that he had refused. Just a minute or so later there was another call from the PM House. The caller said that Mrs. Gandhi had expressed her resolve to visit Nandaji and that she would be starting for his residence within the next few minutes. Mr. Nanda was furious and questioned, “When I am making it clear that there is no need for this, why is she coming here?”

            Despite our efforts to try and pacify him, Nandaji was quite tense.  He rushed in to the house to inform his wife about the visit of Mrs. Gandhi.  Meanwhile, a large contingent of security men and police descended on Nandaji’s residence. The security cover was very heavy as Mrs. Gandhi was moving out of her house for the first time after the imposition of the Emergency.  One officer entered Nandaji’s office and directed that we move into a small room at the rear from where nothing was visible outside.  Dr. Shanti Swaroop Sharma began to argue with the officer pointing out that the room was extremely dingy.

            Meanwhile, Nandaji returned and enquired what the matter was.  When the officer informed him about his directions to us, Mr. Nanda became furious and said that this was his house and nobody could dishonour his guests in such a manner.  The officer immediately apologized and allowed us to sit where we were.

            Mr. Nanda received Indiraji at the door and both of them, along with Mr. R.K. Dhawan, went inside the house. They came out after about twenty-five minutes.

Upon returning to join us back in the office after seeing off Mrs Gandhi, Mr. Nanda appeared to be significantly relieved.  He narrated in detail to us the conversation that had gone between him and Mrs. Gandhi.  He disclosed that Mrs. Gandhi had explained the conditions, which had forced her to take the extreme step of imposing a state of Emergency and requested him to issue a statement in support of the imposition of Emergency as was being done by other political leaders.

            However, Mr. Nanda refused to appreciate her actions in this regard, instead pointing out that a large number of freedom fighters, including her father Jawahar Lal Nehru, had suffered a great deal to achieve freedom and democracy for the country.  In fact, he criticized the “Cleanness Operation” started in various parts of Delhi, especially Karol Bagh.  He told Mrs. Gandhi that ‘we do not have to make Delhi a Paris, but instead take steps to provide livelihood to the people. By throwing out ‘rehriwallahs’ (hawkers) or roadside vendors, we are making them jobless.”

            After a few days, the latter part of the conversation between the two leaders regarding throwing out of rehriwallas appeared in a few vernacular papers but Mr. Nanda’s obvious displeasure against the Emergency and his outright rejection of Mrs.Gandhi’s actions was not highlighted, possibly due to restrictions on the media.

Lt. Gen (retd) Dr. DDS Sandhu Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University (writer on his left) offering flowers at Nanda's Samadhi at Kurukshetra  

            Nandaji shifted to Kurukshetra and tried to remain here for most of the time during the period of the Emergency, keeping himself busy with projects like the restoration of the Brahmasarovar, which even today is the pride of this town.  During this period many senior Congressmen came here to hold talks with Nandaji but he refused to have anything to do with the Emergency and in fact highlighted the atrocities being brought to his notice.

           He resigned from the Congress and many of his associates here deserted the party at that time. He even refused to contest the parliamentary elections after the lifting of the Emergency. Later Nandaji was always proud to disclose that he never supported imposition of Emergency despite the odds.