Opinion Attack on Malala

But the paper adds: “There is no doubt that apart from condemning this act of Taliban,the entire world is expressing concern about the treatment of this student. But why is the world community worried only about the future of this Pakistani student whereas in the entire world,particularly in the Middle East,Israel has made Palestinian girl students the target of its barbarity? In Iraq and Afghanistan,the Americans have killed a number of young and innocent girl students. At that time the world powers did not think of sympathy…”

Jamaat-e-Islami’s bi-weekly,Daawat,in a front page commentary on October 22,writes: “A girl of tender age was attacked. It was a very bad thing,and everyone is rightly condemning it… No one can deny that Malala and young girls like her should get contemporary (modern) education. Those who are opposing it deserve condemnation. And if this opposition is in the name of Islam,it is extremely regrettable. But in the global campaign for sympathy for Malala it is being seen that Islam and Islamic groups are the targets. In fact,Islamic groups are being condemned. It is being said by the media… including the Indian media,that the attitude of Taliban to women is according to the teachings of Islam.”

Delhi-based Jadeed Khabar,in its commentary on October 14,writes: “The activists of Taliban who have thrown Malala into the most extreme struggle of life and death… actually want to take Pakistan (back) to the period of medievalism. They do not have any regard for the words of the Prophet of Islam that the one who is not kind to children is not one of us.”

Obama vs Romney

IN the context of the forthcoming US presidential election,the multi-edition daily Inquilab,in its editorial on October 12,writes: “In the last four years Obama promised to forge a friendship with the Muslim world,but actually did not do anything by way of efforts to promote and stabilise friendship. Thinking of his famous ‘Cairo Address’ one cannot escape the realisation that he did not take any interest in implementing what he said… In spite of this,the Muslim world is not rejecting Obama because… Mitt Romney indicates clearly that his priority is stabilisation of the worst American traditions of supporting Israel.”

Weighing the prospects for Obama,the Delhi-based weekly Nai Duniya,in its report from Washington on October 23,says: “In the eyes of the American media,Romney has no experience of foreign policy. The people know that Obama has certainly maintained the American balance in foreign policy. It is a different matter that the Israeli lobby is displeased. But Obama has built a strong defensive wall before him by killing the al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.”

Gadkari: the other half

AN interview of BJP president Nitin Gadkari,a relaxed conversation on board a flight,with veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayar has been published in a number of Urdu newspapers as part of Nayar’s syndicated column “Bain-us-Sutoor” (Between the Lines) and has caused much comment. Nayar writes: “The BJP president unhesitatingly confessed that if his party wants to get a majority (in Parliament),it would require Muslim votes. Turning towards me,he said,‘You people have expressed the perception that we are anti-Muslim. The meaning of Hindutva is not an aggressive attitude against Islam. Our priority is nationalism (qaum parasti).’ I corrected his statements by saying that the country should be given priority instead of nationalism. He said,‘Yes!’ and also gave the clarification that ‘the meaning of’ Hindutva is such an inclusive society (takseeri muashra)…’”

Blaming the Congress and its “vote-bank politics” for all the problems in the country,Gadkari said: “See,what all is happening… Some boys from among the Muslim youth are picked up and branded as terrorists. Even allegations of their involvement in some criminal acts are also framed so that they are held responsible for specific terrorist activities. What alternative remains for these poor Muslims?” But,writes Nayar,“He said in very clear terms that ‘if there ever will be a majority of Muslims in India,they would make it an Islamic State…’”

Compiled by Seema Chishti