Delhi-based Hindustan Express, in an editorial on May 16, says that whenever hope is generated for resumption of the composite dialogue between India and Pakistan, India is faced with terrorist attacks.

“Apart from elements like Lashkar-e-Toiba, al Qaeda or HuJI (who may possibly be involved in these explosions) why should we not think also of those international powers and agencies who are known to our government for their discomfort towards Indo-Pak peace...?” the paper asks.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s biweekly Daawat (May 19) says that “the truth cannot be out without changing the formula for the probe into the bomb blasts. Instead of going through the formality of a probe and connecting the links (kariyan aur taar jornein ki koshish) we will have to see which group of people gets political benefit out of such incidents”.

Hamara Samaj, published from Delhi, in its editorial on May 16, says that this is not the time for allegations made by the Rajasthan Chief Minister against the Centre, “This is the moment for standing shoulder to shoulder with each other”.

Delhi-based daily Jadeed Khabar (May 16) lauds the communal amity following the Jaipur blasts. “The Hindu and Muslim volunteers coming to the aid of the injured victims crying and shrieking in Jaipur hospitals are the real strengths of India who have been marginalised by communalists”.

Symbol, substance

The recent announcement by highly respected Shia cleric and vice-president of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Kalb-e-Sadiq, that he would offer his next Eid prayer in a Sunni mosque and request for similar gestures from others for improving Shia-Sunni ties has been welcomed, according to Kolkata and Delhi-based Akhbar-e-Mashriq (May 11). But this has also created a controversy. A Shia cleric has questioned, ‘Namaaz behind which Imam: Deobandi, Barelvi, Qadiani or Ahl-e-Hadees?’ Leader of the Barelvi group, Maulana Tauqir Raza Khan has described Maulana Kalb-e-Sadiq’s statement as a ‘political gimmick’ (siyasi dhong). “A section of Deobandis is also raising questions about this proposal”, the paper says.

... contd.