Siasat,published from Hyderabad and Bangalore,on September 21 writes: Even though the difference of opinion with regard to the declaration of Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate is apparent even within the BJP,the reaction from intellectual circles is an eye-opener… The reaction of an eminent Kannada litterateur U.R. Ananthamurthy is nothing short of an example to everyone. He has described Modi as a leader who spreads fear and terror… and that he would not like to live in a country where Modi becomes the PM. The paper adds: It is being said that the corporate sector would support Modi and it would grow under his leadership. But the country does not need a leader who only promotes the corporates. It needs a leader who has a vision and resolve for the welfare of the crores of poor people whose votes decide everyones political fate.
Regarding L.K. Advanis views,Inquilab,in its editorial on September 16,writes that apart from his own longstanding desire to become PM,Advani is fully aware of the fact that in the present situation,only that person or leader can lead any political alliance who,along with popularity in his own party,would be acceptable to other political parties. Therefore,in his view,projecting a controversial person like Narendra Modi would definitely be a cause for damage instead of a possible gain… Delhi-based weekly Nai Duniya,edited by former SP leader,Shahid Siddiqui,in a commentary (September 23-29) writes that Modi,who has become a darling of a section of the people by playing communal politics and favouring industrialists,has not come face to face with ground realities so far.
Editor of Delhi-based daily Jadeed Khabar,Masoom Moradabadi,on September 22 writes: It is not a coincidence that Modi has been made the PM candidate at a time when the most populous state of the country is burning in the fire of communal politics.
General misgivings
Editor of the daily Inquilab,Shakeel Shamsi,on September 23 writes: None of them [previous army chiefs joined a political party after retirement to avoid allegations of partisanship. But General V.K. Singh,immediately after his retirement as army chief last year,started showing his political ambitions… He tried to give the impression that he was joining Anna Hazare to end corruption. But on September 15 last,in a rally professedly of former army personnel in Rewari,Haryana,he sought solace under the wings of Narendra Modi… There can be serious repercussions from his entry into the political field in future.
Delhi Rape verdict
Commenting on the judgment awarding the death sentence to the four men convicted in the Delhi gangrape case,Rashtriya Sahara,in its editorial on September 16,writes: This court judgment has been greatly welcomed… it is a symbol of her revenge. But to think that following this victory,such crimes would come to an end would be childish. It should not be forgotten that in the judgment,the emphasis on rape was not as intense as on murder. An even darker side of this incident is that there has been an increase in cases of rape and gangrape… Has our society become victim to a serious psychological ailment?
Delhi-based daily,Qaumi Salamati,in its editorial on September 14,writes: It is amazing that while,on the one hand,incidents of sexual crime are rapidly rising,on the other,conviction rates of the accused in such cases are declining rapidly… The concept of the day of judgement (aakhirat) should be put in the minds of the new generation. Obscene programmes on TV and websites should be banned.
Compiled by Seema Chishti
