Opinion Rising prices

Noted Islamic scholar and commentator,Maulana Nadeem-ul-Wajedi,in his column in Delhi-based daily Hindustan Express (January 18) talks of the Islamic view of hoarding and profiteering as different from doing honest business for profit. He cites a few Hadeeses (traditions and sayings of the prophet Mohammad) that quote the prophet: “Any person who keeps foodgrains away from Muslims and sells at high prices is cursed to become poor and inflicted by a dreadful disease (jazaam,or leprosy)… Hoarding is done only by sinners… Those who bring commodities from other cities are blessed,whereas a hoarder deserves to be cursed.”

IPL and Pak cricketers

The bosses of IPL have been blamed by many newspapers for any Pakistani cricketer not being picked up by the franchisees of IPL-3. Hyderabad’s leading daily,Siasat,in its editorial on January 23,writes: “Cricket and other games were a source of maintaining relations between the two countries. But the authorities of IPL have,demonstrating their narrow-mindedness,made the country a victim of unforeseen conditions. It is true that the IPL teams have the right to take the services of players of their choice. But the Pakistani cricketers do not lack in the standards on the basis of which cricketers are chosen. This type of politics in the field of sports and games can be described as extremely improper and there can be a fall in sympathy for India found in the entire world. The IPL authorities should have adopted a responsible attitude and kept in view the interests of the country.”

Rashtriya Sahara,in its editorial entitled,“Politics on Sports” (January 22) writes: “The most negative aspect of this matter is that firstly names of Pakistani cricketers were included in the list for auction,but no buyer came up at the time of the auction. Who is responsible for this situation? Those owners of teams who were bidding for players? Obviously,if such an action was taken by them,there must be some reason for this.” The paper adds: “The attitude of leadership and political parties in both the countries with regard to sports can not be described as responsible.”

Daily Jadeed Khabar,in an editorial (January 25),queries,“does Pakistan want to damage its relations with India making cricket as its basis?”,and says,“the beginning of the process of damaging relations with India has always been made by Pakistan.”

Tributes to Jyoti Basu

Glowing tributes have been paid by most Urdu papers to the CPI (M) leader Jyoti Basu who passed away recently. Headlines like ‘Ek roshan charagh tha,na raha!’(a bright lamp is no more!); ‘Aisa kahaan sey laaein?’ (where to find someone like him); ‘Ishterakiyat ke Soorma ka inteqaal’ (death of brave-heart of Communism); ‘Sitaara doob gaya’ (the star has set); ‘Mulk ke sab sey qad aawar siyasatdaan ka inteqaal’ (death of country’s tallest politician),have been used. Apart from issues like his great success with coalition governments and achievements in land reforms,he has been especially praised for his sense of sacrifice in bowing before the party discipline and declining the offer of the country’s PM-ship even though,in retrospect,he considered it a “Himalayan blunder”. Delhi-based daily Hamara Samaj,on January 23 writes: “Jyoti Basu had dedicated himself to his country and its people in his life. By donating his eyes and his body for research after his death too,he has set an example of a sense of service and sacrifice that will not be forgotten…”