From the Urdu press

Delhi-based Rashtriya Sahara8217;s headline says; 8220;Amreeka mein naye ahed ka aaghaaz8221; The paper writes that the 8220;US has entered a new era, and after 219 years, history has turned.8221; An editorial in the paper wishes him well, with the caveat that 8220;his place in history will be decided by how he faces the challenges and what steps he takes to restore the lost image of the US in the world.8221; Hyderabad-based Siasat8217;s website has a poll on whether the US would change its foreign policy under Obama, and the results at 11 am on Thursday were interesting; 62.3 per cent think that change, they will.

Hues of terror

Urdu papers are full of outpourings following the claims made by Maharashtra8217;s ATS of the involvement of Sadhvi Pragya Singh and others in the Malegaon bomb blast. Well-known Mumbai-based poet and journalist, Hasan Kamal, in his column 8216;khari khari8217; bare facts in Hamara Samaj, published from Delhi Oct. 28, asks the question: 8220;Why the surprise over the existence of Hindu terrorists?8221; He writes: 8220;It is understandable if the police and the media are dumbfounded. But it is beyond understanding if the Sangh Parivar is highly surprised at these developments. In fact, it is a white lie. Didn8217;t the Sangh Parivar know that one of its own organisations was distributing trishuls at various places to Hindu youth stating that these were not only for self-defence but also for teaching a lesson to the enemies of Hindutva read Muslims? 8221;

Siasat in an editorial on October 30, has shown great concern at the infiltration of some disruptive elements in the armed forces. A columnist, in Delhi-based Sahafat Oct 30, points out: 8220;Section 302 has been slapped on the arrested Sadhvi, Pragya Singh. Section 302 for the real culprit who can be bailed out anytime. But lives of innocent Muslims are destroyed by putting them directly under 8216;POTA8217; type-laws without any proof.8221; Some papers have emphasised the need for restraint on the part of Muslims, and Patna and Ranchi-based Qaumi Tanzeem Oct 25 has highlighted the appeal from a conclave of Muslim leaders in Malegaon that 8220;Muslims should not display misplaced joy and avoid show of frenzy in cinema halls, lanes and mohallas, discussions and arguments and play of fireworks.8221;

Godhra revisited

The Supreme Court order on the withdrawal of POTA and proceedings under the existing IPC provisions against the Godhra accused, has been the subject of much comment. Daawat, in a commentary on October 28, writes: 8220;The matter is not merely of withdrawal of POTA from the accused. The order has raised a question mark on the Modi government8217;s theory, and the role, functioning and the conclusions presented in the interim report of the Nanavati Commission appointed by it to inquire into the incident, and has found truth in the conclusions of Railway-appointed Banerjee Committee and in the findings of Tehalka and other NGOs.8221; Jadeed Khabar, published from Delhi Oct 23 says: 8220;Whereas the order has given a severe jolt to Narendra Modi and fascist forces it has also given a fillip to the confidence in the judiciary.8221; Hindustan Express Oct 23, however, registers a note of pessimism: 8220;One cannot hope that the accused would get justice in Modi8217;s Gujarat. It has to be seen what other mode of tyranny the tyrant invents8221;, it writes.

Compiled by Seema Chishti