1. Domestic Situation
India's first SARS case has been reported in Goa (Outlook, India) with fears of financial after effects not far behind (Hindustan Times, India). Economic concerns grew when the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered India's growth projection for 2003 (Hindustan Times, India). The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has invited India to join a natural gas pipeline with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan (Dawn, Pakistan).
"First confirmed case of SARS detected in India"
"Fast spreading SARS adds to India's economic worries"
"IMF lowers India's growth projection by 0.6pc"
"India invited to join C. Asian gas pipeline"
The former Home Minister of Gujarat and active politician, Haren Pandya, was assassinated (Hindustan Times, India). Manas Dasgupta (The Hindu, India) reports that Chief Minister Narenda Modi is setting up a special cell within the intelligence department to concentrate on the activities of suspected terrorists. C.P. Bhambhri (The Hindu, India) argues that Sangh Parivar (literally "Hindu Family" - a name used to denote a group of ideologically similar parties and group) is closely linked with the BJP government, including that of Gujarat CM Modi. Sixteen months after the anti-Muslim killings in Gujarat, Aneesa Mirza was elected the mayor of Ahmedabad, both as the first Muslim and woman (Deccan Herald, India).
"Former Gujarat minister Pandya shot dead"
"Gujarat to strengthen intelligence wing"
"Sangh Parivar in Government"
"Aneesa Mirza lifts the spirit of minorities"
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) continued to defy the Rajasthani government's ban of trishuls (tridents - a popular and important symbol for the VHP), despite the arrest of the VHP leader, Praveen Togadia, for distributing trishuls and fanning communal passions (Deccan Herald, India). B. Rajeshwar (The Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, India) uses the World Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan to highlight the growing clasp of communalism. Firadus Ahmed (The Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, India) challenges the notion that the Muslim minority threatens India's domestic stability and security.
"VHP firm on continuing with trishul distribution "
"Communalizing Cricket"
"Muslim India as 'Threat'"