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Journalism of Courage
The editorial in the latest issue of Organiser sharply attacks the latest turn in the tortuous India-Pakistan peace process following the Manmohan-Musharraf Havana talks last week. The PM8217;s statement that Pakistan is a victim of terrorism and that he wants to partner Musharraf to fight terror 8220;may be out of the box thinking but makes no sense,8221; it says. Reiterating the Sangh Parivar8217;s known stance, the editorial points out that 8220;Pakistan has a history of supporting terrorism and it is still home to many who plan and execute terrorist attacks in India. They are part of a large global Islamic terror network. There has been no weakening in the ISI network in India or their bleed India programme.8221; The editorial describes Dr Singh8217;s declaration as 8220;untimely, disturbing and dangerous8221; and a result of coming 8220;under pressure from the Left and the US, both pleading for Musharraf.8221;
Mulayam8217;s 8216;madrassa mindset8217;
Nehru and Vande Mataram
Continuing the debate on Vande Mataram, an article by Ram Gopal seeks to show how Jawaharlal Nehru tried to 8220;torpedo8221; the singing of the national song after independence. It says that on August 7, 1947, the President of Constituent Assembly, Dr Rajendra Prasad wrote to Nehru suggesting that the first session of the Constituent Assembly on August 15 begin with the singing of Vande Mataram. Nehru rejected the suggestion on grounds that a new national anthem was yet to be decided. But he left the matter to Dr Prasad8217;s discretion, who went ahead with the singing of Vande Mataram. But, writes Gopal, 8220;by January 26, 1950, when the Constituent Assembly had to take a decision on free India8217;s National Anthem, Nehru managed to get an opinion that Vande Mataram did not suit band music, while Jana Gana Mana did.That is how, on the very first day of 8216;Independence8217;, Hindu sentiments were made subservient to the 8216;minorities8217; and nationalism was made optional.8221;
Ashok Singhal8217;s birthday bash
A front page picture and a detailed report is devoted to the 8216;grand felicitation function8217; in Chennai over two days on September 11 and 12 on the occasion of VHP chief Ashok Singhal turning 80. Singhal, known for his vituperative attacks not just against 8216;minoritysim8217; but also against the Vajpayee-Advani duo, had quite a guest list at his birthday party. While 108 Vedic pundits perfomed one lakh Maha Mrityunjaya Japam, the poornahuti ceremony was attended by Kanchi Shankaracharya, RSS chief K.S.Sudarshan, former ministers M.M.Joshi and Sahib Singh Varma, and Dr Subramaniam Swamy. Also, two BJP chief ministers: Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Chouhan.
8212; Compiled by Manini Chatterjee
