Gurjjar agitation

Rashtriya Sahara, in an editorial (May 30), castigates the violent nature of the Gurjjar agitation. The paper says the way the movement is taking a violent turn, diverting from its objective, cannot be called “a legitimate use of democratic rights.” It has also condemned the reported threat of violence against the Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje by the state vice president of the Gurjjar Mahasabha.

Daily Milap, published from Delhi, writes (May 28) that it seems that the Vasundhara Raje government has not learnt any lesson from last year’s Gurjjar agitation. It should have tried for a consensus on this issue at the start of this agitation, it says. Daawat (May 28) writes that the state and Central governments should not have any hesitation in conceding the demand of the Gurjjars if there was historical evidence in favour of their acceptance as a Scheduled Tribe.

Against terrorism

The massive Aman-e-Aalam Conference (World Peace Conference) organised by the Mahmood Madani faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on May 31 at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan where venerated ulema of Darul Uloom, Deoband, issued a clear fatwa against terrorism has drawn comment. Hamara Samaj writes (June 3) that, “it was a matter of great delight that, amazingly, for the first time after independence, representatives from all sects and beliefs participated in huge numbers in a conference”, that was also attended by a good number of non-Muslim personalities of eminence. Commenting on another conference on the same theme organised by Delhi’s Jama Masjid Forum, (with participation from a number of foreign countries, including the Dalai Lama) The Daily Milap (June 3) wonders whether “the voice being raised would be confined to this occasion within the four walls or would find a way into the daily life of the common people.” Hindustan Express (June 3), takes a dig at the ‘slanted’ statement of BJP leaders welcoming the Deoband fatwa against terrorism, while ignoring the fact, loudly proclaimed at the conference, that the demolition of Babri Masjid was the worst example of terrorism in India.

Maulana as collector

The selection of a product of Darul Uloom, Deoband, Waseem-ur-Rehman Qasimi, in the IAS, has been widely hailed by Urdu papers. There were big front page advertisements in some papers congratulating Rehman. Writing under the title, ‘Leejiye, Maulana collector ban gaye’ (Look, Maulana has become a collector), a columnist in Delhi-based Sahafat (June 1), contradicts those who criticise the Deoband seminary’s syllabus for not being in conformity with modern times. He has also appreciated the fact that Rehman owes his success to the coaching imparted by an RSS outfit, ‘Sankalp’.