Opinion UPA 2 is 3

The editorial adds: “rising prices have made life difficult for the aam aadmi,whose help was crucial in bringing the UPA to power. Unfortunately… price rise has not ended,and it is feared that the prices will rise further… It is a blessing for the UPA that its adversary,the NDA,particularly the BJP,is enmeshed in a serious crisis and lack of cohesion. But it is not wise to consider (the) other’s weakness as one’s own strength.”

The daily Inquilab,on May 20,writes: “Many scams… have badly damaged the image of the UPA in the last three years. Undoubtedly,there have been no questions on the gentle nature (sharafat) of the PM so far. But the job of the PM is not only to demonstrate gentlemanliness. It also includes security of the country and its exchequer… But,one has to say with great regret that there is a loot all over under the leadership of an expert economist.” It adds: “From the viewpoint of a Muslim,one gets disappointed. The UPA highlighted the Sachar Committee report and demonstrated the status of Indian Muslims to the whole world,showing that their plight was worse than that of the Dalits. But it is not seen as taking any steps to improve their condition.”

JAMHOORIYAT 60

Hyderabad’s Munsif,in its editorial on May 15 writes about two important features of our Parliament through the years: “The first Parliament was established after elections following Independence and a long struggle. Yet the average age of its members was 45 years and eight months. But the average age of members of (Lok Sabha) has risen to 64 years. Seniority and experience have their own importance. But in a country being described as young on the basis of population data,why should the same type of environment not come up in Parliament? Another significant difference is that in the first Parliament,there were fewer professional politicians… whereas in the 15th Lok Sabha there is a majority of members who are professional politicians and taking to politics as their inheritance… This situation can be discussed consistently even outside Parliament because despite its dominant position,Parliament alone is not democracy. But it is definitely the centre of democracy.”

The Delhi-based daily,Jadeed Khabar,in its editorial on May 15,writes: “At the time of Constitution-making,reservation was accorded to some extremely backward sections of society to give them the opportunity to move ahead… assurances were given to other sections of the people to provide opportunities. But we see in the 60 years of our parliamentary system that justice was not done to those who had been promised equal opportunities. That is why the condition of these sections is deteriorating. The biggest segment among these sections are the Muslims”.

AT WAR WITH ISLAM?

The recent report about the US government’s exhortation to defence personnel under training to “treat Islam as an enemy of America”,has evoked strong reactions. The weekly Nai Duniya,edited by Samajwadi Party leader Shahid Siddique,in its front page editorial (May 21-27) writes: “(Part of) the army’s syllabus taught that America is at war with Islam. Islam is an enemy of America and America will have to be ready for the destruction of Mecca Mukarrama and Medina Munawwara on the lines of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.” The paper reminds its readers that it had “unveiled the satanic conspiracy of such a bombing in February this year and told the world that behind slogans of religious conciliation and liberty is the war waged by the US against Islam. Now the same truth is before the world in America’s own words,with evidence and witnesses along with an apology… This is America’s real,ugly face.”

Siasat in its May 13 editorial says that “the resolve of decisive war against Muslims globally or the instructions given to the American soldiers to be prepared for such an eventuality are alarming.” It adds: “When the time comes for a presidential election in America,targeting Islam is getting the sympathy of American voters… This is… a dangerous game whose plans were prepared before 9/11.”