Burning J and K

The agony of Jammu and Kashmir is reflected in the columns of Urdu newspapers. Delhi-based Hindustan Express in an editorial entitled 8216;Fire of Kashmir8217; writes...

The agony of Jammu and Kashmir is reflected in the columns of Urdu newspapers. Delhi-based Hindustan Express in an editorial entitled 8216;Fire of Kashmir8217; writes; 8220;on both sides, the fire of violence is touching the skies. The waves of the river of hatred are rising to submerge the entire society. What Pakistan and its handmaidens could not do in 60 years, despite countless machinations, has been done within days by opportunistic politicians.8221;

Many papers have traced the genesis of the present crisis in J038;K not from the perspective of the recent Amarnath controversy , but as a result of confrontationist political motives. Rashtriya Sahara on August 7 writes that the land allotment issue has been associated with the political gains of each party involved in the dispute. The dimension that this 8220;political war8221; has acquired, is a cause of concern, says the paper. Sahafat, published from Delhi ,in its editorial entitled 8216;Land of Politics8217; writes that the fact is that the 8220;entire issue is political. Jammu is a Hindu-majority region. In spite of this, in the last elections in that state, the BJP, which runs its politics in the name of Hindutva could win on only one seat in the region. They found an opportunity to prepare its political ground by arousing the sentiments of the people of the region on the issue of revocation of the allotment of land to the Shrine Board. Not only this, the BJP has already declared the issue as its special electoral agenda.8221;

Delhi-based Hamara Samaj, in a special article by its editor Khalid Anwar August 10, has expressed concern about future scenarios . 8220;It is also possible that apart from the present khai pit created in the region between Hindus and Muslims, a khai in terms of government and administration may also have to be dug between Jammu and Kashmir regions. BJP wants it and Maulvi Umer Farooq has also said that he would have no objection even if Hindu areas of Jammu are separated from Kashmir. It needs to be seriously considered how the party declaring Maulvi Farooq as an ISI agent is moving on the same lines.8221;

Daily Milap, published from Delhi, writing about the situation in J038;K August 6 says that 8220;it is obvious that someone is fanning the campaign on the land issue. BJP had openly said that it would agitate. Opposition and dissent are rights of political parties in a democracy. But this right is also connected with a responsibility for the country. Why is this fact ignored?8221; Pratap, in a hard-hitting signed editorial by its editor Narender on August 11 writes; 8220;the difficulty is that the policy of appeasement of Muslims adopted so far by the government is proving to be the greatest hurdle for resolving the problem of Kashmir.8221; He adds that every citizen of Jammu is enraged by the fact that the government in Srinagar affords 8220;step-motherly treatment to Jammu8221;.

Mayawati takes centrestage

The recent announcement by Mayawati about the nomination of a secret heir in view of the perceived threat to her life from political adversaries has put the spotlight on her again, it appears. Jamaat-e-Islami8217;s biweekly Daawat in an editorial note on August 13 has described Mayawati8217;s statement as 8220;very meaningful8221;. It writes; 8220;if Mayawati8217;s statement is viewed along with earlier reports of threats to Mayawati following reports of threats to the lives of LK Advani and Rahul Gandhi, the perception that terrorist acts are performed by some people but in the name of so-called Muslim groups, gains strength. Political parties can go to any extent to serve their interests and can kill two birds with one stone and therefore Dalit and Muslim leaders will have to be on alert.8221; Hindustan Express in an editorial entitled, 8216;Fear of Mayawati8217; August 7 writes that the fear of Mayawati8217;s BSP that compelled the Congress and SP to shake hands is also forcing parties of socialist persuasions.The traditional Muslim vote may perhaps stick with the Congress. But if popular backward class and Muslim opinion changes in favour of BSP, it would become difficult for leaders of socialist persuasion like Lalu, Mulayam and Ram Vilas Paswan to retain their vote banks.8221;

In an editorial on August 11, Hamara Samaj wonders what spell Mayawati has cast on Communist leaders that they have come out in support of making her Prime Minister. 8220;But what situation this would create after the results of the Lok Sabha elections of 2009 is difficult to guess now,8221; says the paper.

Compiled by Seema Chishti