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Journalism of Courage
Akhbar-e-Mashriq from Kolkata and Delhi has some sharp criticism for the BJP in its editorial dated April 10, entitled 8220;Chori pakde jaane ke baad, BJP ki dheetaai8221;, the audacity of the BJP, after being caught out. It says that 8220;creating hatred against Muslims through the CD is not its first such attempt. Even during its national executive meeting in Lucknow in last December, a similar CD had been released.8221;
The paper expects the Election Commission to 8220;take appropriate action 8212; unki geedar bhabki se darne ki zaroorat nahi hai8221;, it need not fear the BJP8217;s threats. Jamaat-e-Islami8217;s bi-weekly, Daawat, in an editorial on the same day echoes this. It writes that the CD even refers to the 2002 elections in Gujarat, when CM Narendra Modi had 8220;gone on to demean Muslims through highly objectionable statements8230;8221;.
OBC reservations
The reservation for OBCs in higher educational institutions, now stayed by the Supreme Court, has been the subject of much discussion. Hyderabad-based Siasat, in its editorial on March 31, writes that 8220;now is the time for a scientific way of presenting OBC figures. This is also the time for the proper identification of suitable Muslims 8212; those eligible for reservations8221;. The paper adds, 8220;in Andhra, after the court stayed reservations for backward Muslims, the government assured them that legal hurdles would be removed from their path.8221; National Herald8217;s Qaumi Awaz, in an editorial on the same day emphasises the fact that the Centre has made it evident that it would not go back on its decision regarding reservation for OBCs. And as this issue had the support of all political parties 8220;giving a legal backing to these reservations would be possible.8221;
Minority matters
The first judgement of the Allahabad High Court, where a one-bench judge decreed that UP Muslims are not a minority, has attracted some very angry reactions. Hindustan Express on April 7 in an editorial entitled, 8220;Insaaf ke mandir main!8221; writes that, 8220;it is not possible to criticise an esteemed institution like the court, even then, we find that the honourable judges in recent times have given judgements that have agonised a particular community. The Allahabad High Court, from time to time, has been giving verdicts that actually hurt the community, and curb their constitutional rights. Sometimes AMU, and sometimes the Ayodhya case, where there was talk of letting go of the prime suspects8230;8221; Akhbar-e-Mashriq in a headline writes; 8220;the high court assaults an old, infirm person in need of help.8221; It goes on to call the ruling, 8220;anokha8221; peculiar and 8220;difficult to digest.8221; The stay on the ruling the next day was reported enthusiastically by virtually all papers.
Shia vs Sunni
Leading Muslim intellectual and former chairman of the National Minorities Commission, Tahir Mehmood, writes in Rashtriya Sahara April 12 on the Shia-Sunni riots. He says that on Prophet Mohammed8217;s birthday, his followers in the 8220;colourful city of Lucknow were engrossed in the tamasha of throwing stones at each other8230;8221; He laments that the unfortunate part is that 8220;the violent confrontation is on the very petty issues of differences between the two sects 8212; who are actually bound by the same faith.8221; Akhbar-e-Mashriq on April 3 refers to the same incident and blames the leaders of both sects, who it says 8220;never come out of their closets when violence breaks out8221;.
No sex-ed, please
On sex education being part of the curriculum, the government of Maharashtra has found support from sections of the Urdu press. Akhbar-e-Mashriq in an edit on April 1 says, 8220;sex education etc are western concepts. Sex is a natural process, which reveals its secrets as children grow up. Like ducks don8217;t need to be taught swimming, children don8217;t need to know much about sex from their curriculum. Mothers can inform their daughters, and fathers, their sons.8221;
Compiled by Seema Chishti
