Backing for the n-deal

The nuclear deal between the US and India has received attention in the Urdu press as well. National Herald group8217;s Qaumi Awaz, in its editorial dated July 29, has hailed it, supporting the deal.

The nuclear deal between the US and India has received attention in the Urdu press as well. National Herald group8217;s Qaumi Awaz, in its editorial dated July 29, has hailed it, supporting the deal. It says 8216;8216;those opposing the deal should remove all suspicions once the US government has ensured the passage of the bill in the House of Representatives with a heavy majority8217;8217;. On the other hand, the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami mouthpiece, the bi-weekly Daawat in its editorial dated August 1, titled 8216;What Nuclear Scientists Say8217; Jauhri Science-daan kya kehte hain has highlighted a special report in a major English daily, saying that India8217;s eminent nuclear scientists are not only apprehensive and doubtful about the Indo-US nuclear agreement, but also see it as 8216;8216;detrimental to Indian interests8217;8217;.

No let-up for Jaswant

The controversies emerging after the publication of Jaswant Singh8217;s book, A Call to Honour, have also attracted comment in the Urdu press. Qaumi Awaz, in an editorial titled Jaswant Singh ka Aaitaraf-e-Gunaah Jaswant Singh8217;s admission of guilt has focused on his treatment of the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the Gujarat riots. According to the papers, he has mentioned the 8220;shameful sharmnaaq act of demolishing the Babri mosque but has failed to analyse the negative impact of this incident on Indian society.8221; The paper also has accused him of not going into the real issues connected with the Gujarat riots, and said that he has tried to establish himself as blamefree doodh ka dhula. The Rashtriya Sahara, in its editorial dated July 28, has endorsed the view of Ram Jethmalani that he should have 8220;informed the police, as soon as he got to know of a mole in the office of Narasimha Rao8217;8217;.

Criticism for Shahi Imam8217;s UDF

The widely circulated Delhi-based daily Hindustan Express writes on August 1, under a banner headline, that the Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind at its working committee meeting on July 30, has take a decision to not have any truck with the United Democratic Front UDF, the newly formed political party headed by the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid. The paper quotes the Jamiat as saying that any individual having any kind of contact with this political organisation would be firmly dealt with. It says it has decided not to lend its support to any party that has been conceived on religious grounds. This decision, according to the paper, has ruled out the participation of any major Muslim leaders who may be having a soft corner for the Imam8217;s outfit. The paper also goes on to elaborate on the beginnings of a split within the Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Hind. Many of the key supporters of the General Secretary, Maulana Mahmood Madani, have been removed from some important committees of the Jamiat.

Education the only answer: Ahmadi

The Hindustan Express has, in a special article, reproduced the lecture of former Chief Justice of India A.M. Ahmadi, at a conference titled Dastoore Hind ke Zariye, Musalmaanon ka Empowerment Empowerment of Muslims through the Indian Constitution. Justice Ahmadi writes that 8216;8216;hateful speeches, looting and violence that has been perpetrated against Muslims and Christians has created an anti-minority environment and, unfortunately, these flames were fanned during the BJP8217;s rule, so that minorities can be scared off and a sense of inferiority created in them.8221; However, he says the only way out of the marginalization for the minorities is through education. He calls education the 8220;best vehicle of securing genuine rights and powers.8221;

The wedding planner

On a lighter note, the once provocative and mass-circulated Bangalore weekly Nasheman has concluded in its issue dated July 30, in an article with the intriguing headline 8220;Love Marriages: Good or Bad8221; Pasand ki Shaadi 8212; Acchi hai ya Buri that a marriage which is not arranged by parents can never be successful or good, from any angle.

8212; Compiled by Seema Chishti