In a hard-hitting editorial, Hyderabad-based daily Rahnuma-e-Deccan (June 17) writes, “Manmohan Singh, whose economic policy is meant to protect the interests of World Bank and western countries, particularly the United States, wants to take steps like a defence agreement with the US for the nuclear energy deal. But he does not know that by doing this he is playing with fire that will burn his hands and his government would receive an exemplary treatment in the elections because people, whose faith in the government has been shaken due to price rise, would never tolerate being natural allies of America.”

Jamaat-e-Islami’s organ, biweekly Daawat (July 1) has condemned the efforts to “give a communal colour to the opposition to the Indo-US nuclear deal.” The paper writes, “The nuclear energy deal is concerned with the country’s policies on defence, energy or foreign affairs, and giving a communal colour to it is clearly unwise and cheap politics... It is obvious that the angry and serious reaction of Muslims to a statement (by the CPM leader M.K. Pandhe) that was unnecessary, is natural.” Other papers have also reacted sharply to the communal angle being given to the deal. Delhi-based Hindustan Express (July 2) in a front-page report, with a blaring headline on UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s statement terming the deal “anti-Muslim,” has described it as a “political fatwa” and “new trading in sentiments” (jazbaat ki nayee saudagari).

Kolkata and Delhi-based daily, Akhbar-e-Mashriq, in an editorial on June 22 says, “The nuclear deal is a guarantee for the development and prosperity of the country whereas the Left parties’ opposition to it is merely a blackmail and expression and pronouncement of their allergy to the United States. Therefore, when the government would go to the people’s court on this issue, it would certainly get their support.” The paper is of the view that the numbers in the Lok Sabha would be in the UPA government’s favour with the support of Samajwadi Party and some others, if Left deserts the UPA.

Delhi-based Jadeed Khabar (June 25) writes that there is a negative message inherent in the Bush administration’s “now or never” argument about the nuclear deal. “If despite consistent efforts of the Bush administration to create a favourable opinion, the majority of members of the US Congress have objections to the deal, who can give a guarantee of its usefulness for India in the future?” the paper asks.

Lens on Kashmir

The Urdu press has taken on various constitutional authorities and political groups for the controversy surrounding land allotment for Amarnath yatra pilgrims. Akhbar-e-Mashriq, in a June 28 editorial writes, “J & K Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad chose to play an ill-timed symphony (bey waqt ki ragini). After a long time Kashmir has seen peace and the daily life has been normalised... On the eve of elections, the state government unnecessarily resorted to this stunt to woo the Hindus.” The paper says that the issue has benefited the extremists, and the Hurriyat has got a new lease of life. Delhi-based daily Sahafat (June 28) has held the former governor, S.K. Sinha squarely responsible for the controversy. When the matter reached a very delicate stage, the CM was compelled to pay his attention to it, according to the paper.

Taking a conciliatory view, Hamara Samaj (June 28), published from Delhi, said that “PDP and other parties should accept the decision for allotment of land for the Sri Amarnathji Shrine Board, otherwise the sentiments of the Hindu brethren would be hurt.” Putting the blame for the imbroglio on former state Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his Party, Delhi-based Pratap, in a strongly worded editorial on June 28, says, “It is understandable if orthodox Muslims like Geelani sahib oppose the decision (for allotment of land) because with closed eyes he has assumed accepting any matter favourable to Hindus as an insult to Islam. But the opposition from Mufti Sahib and his daughter is beyond comprehension for all Indians...” Delhi’s Milap (June 25) has suggested that if there was any apprehension that permanent structures would be built on the allotted land, some conditions could be put in the concerned deed for the land allotment.

Cell phone etiquette

According to Akhbar-e-Mashriq on June 22, an Islamic cleric-cum-scholar has given guidelines on appropriate Islamic use of the cell phone.

a. Quranic verses as ringtone — not okay, as verses are invariably distorted in the process.

b. Communicating with a (stranger) woman through SMS — not okay, as it amounts to speaking to one in person.

c. Downloading games: not okay, again, as it involves a waste of time, compounded by the display of pictures.