Rahul-speak

Rahul Gandhi8217;s statements on the Babri Masjid have been commented upon at length. Jamaat-e-Islami8217;s mouthpiece, Daawat on March 25 writes in a Page One lead, Kya Ayodhya Inhedaam pe izhaar-e-dard kaafi hai?

Rahul Gandhi8217;s statements on the Babri Masjid have been commented upon at length. Jamaat-e-Islami8217;s mouthpiece, Daawat on March 25 writes in a Page One lead, Kya Ayodhya Inhedaam pe izhaar-e-dard kaafi hai? Is it enough to express pain over the Ayodhya demolition? The paper writes that 8220;from the very start, the Nehru-Gandhi family and the Congress have never sided with the Muslims on this. And their actions have always been detrimental to the interests of the mosque.8221; Mumbai8217;s Inquilab says, 8220;Rahul Gandhiji, vote maangiye, magar khudaara, musalmaanon ko bewaquf banaane ki koshish na kijiye8221; 8212; ask for votes, but for God8217;s sake, don8217;t try to fool Muslims. It writes that 8220;Rahul Gandhi, by making such statements on important issues of the country, is perhaps wanting to demonstrate that he has grown up even though there has been no such evidence in his performance in Parliament. However, he has indeed grown up to the extent that he is now in line with the Congress tradition to try and fool Muslims.8221; Interestingly, National Herald8217;s Qaumi Awaaz has avoided an editorial on this but reported it with great fanfare on the day. However, Hyderabad8217;s Siasat praises Rahul Gandhi calling him 8212; 8220;Secular Hindustan ke liye, ummeed ki kiran8221; 8212; a ray of hope for secular India.

Ad war in UP

An Ayodhya advertisement has also emerged as a tick-one-of the-following-parties quiz 8212; with questions like: Who got the idols installed? Who got the locks opened? And who is getting the make-shift temple changed into a permanent structure? Mayawati is also targeted for 8220;acting against the interests of the minority community8221; by these unsigned advertisements.

Arab conference

The usually non-descript Arab League Summit has been reported in great detail this time. Delhi8217;s Hindustan Express on March 29, writes that the presence of non-Iraqi fighters in Iraq has generated heat, with the Saudi King taking a 8220;tough line8221; on it. Several non-Arabs have been invited to this summit, including India8217;s Minister of State for External Affairs, E. Ahamed. The paper writes that among the main issues are an 8220;Arab nuclear plan8221; and an Egypt- initiated, 8220;formal military pact among Arab countries8221;.

The cup and slip

The Indian fiasco in the World Cup has been a subject of poetry, anguish and much irritation in the Urdu press. Mumbai8217;s Inquilab in an editorial on March 25 entitled, 8220;Paspaai ya behayaai?8221; meaning, utter defeat or shamelessness? It criticises the 8220;lionising of cricketers by millions 8212; when they lose to a team like Bangladesh. Can anything be more shameful?8221; Kolkata and Delhi-based Akhbar-e Mashriq on March 20 writes on both India and Pakistan in an editorial entitled 8220;Bare be-abroo hokar tere kuche se hum nikle8221; 8212; meaning, we returned deeply humiliated.

Pakistani justice

The swearing-in of Justice Rana Bhagwandas as the acting chief justice of Pakistan has been covered extensively. National Herald8217;s Qaumi Awaaz on March 24 writes in an editorial on the controversy that followed his swearing-in when some Islamic parties protested a non-Muslim taking over; 8220;the conditions in Pakistan at the moment have made his confirmation as chief justice impossible. It is surprising that those who call themselves secular in Pakistan are silent on those who are protesting his not being a Muslim as a factor.8221; The editorial concludes that Pakistan is dominated by 8220;extremists and jihadis8221;.

Ration cards

Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Helen, Reena Roy and Rekha among others have been asked by Mumbai8217;s department of civil supplies to get their ration cards made, as part of a campaign. Akhbar-e-Mashriq has reported this on March 12, urging the 8220;dear stars8221; to 8220;set aside other things, and queue up to secure your cards8221;

Compiled by Seema Chishti