Opinion The Urdu Press: Stoning the Devil
The Haj tragedy in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in the death of more than 1,000 Hajis and serious injuries to a large number, has led to renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The daily, Roznama Khabrein, has highlighted the contours of this controversy: “Iran has demanded that Saudi Arabia be prosecuted for its criminal […]
Muslim pilgrims gather around the victims of a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia during the annual hajj pilgrimage on Thursday. (Source: AP photo) 
The Haj tragedy in Saudi Arabia, which resulted in the death of more than 1,000 Hajis and serious injuries to a large number, has led to renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The daily, Roznama Khabrein, has highlighted the contours of this controversy: “Iran has demanded that Saudi Arabia be prosecuted for its criminal lack of concern and administrative lapse. Iran’s spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has said that this incident cannot be forgotten and that it is being viewed seriously by all nations. Instead of indulging in flimsy allegations, Saudi Arabia should own up to its responsibility and apologise to the families of the victims and Muslims in general… According to political observers, the use of the platform of the United Nations by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for demanding a thorough probe into the tragic event is intended to send a message that the world community should pressure Saudi Arabia to conduct a proper inquiry. Saudi Arabia has strongly rejected the Iranian allegations and urged that country’s leadership to wait for the outcome of the inquiry underway.”
Jadeed Khabar, in its editorial on September 28, while recounting the various steps the Saudi government has taken to improve Haj infrastructure, has commented that, instead of owning the responsibility for the tragedy, Saudi Arabia has blamed the Hajis from certain countries who were allegedly careless and did not follow instructions of the officials.
Asrarul Haque, Congress MP from Kishanganj, Bihar, in his column in Rashtriya Sahara writes: “The Hajis themselves also have to be careful about certain things.
The entire blame cannot be put on the host government.”
However, the president of the Zakat Foundation and a minority rights activist, Zafar Mahmood, has, in his statement highlighted by Inquilab (September 25), squarely blamed “the childish attitude” in the management of 20 lakh Hajis that has resulted in the death of thousands since 1990.
RSS Reservations
The resident editor of Sahafat, in a front-page signed editorial on September 24, writes: “RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has raised questions about the continuation of reservations, whereas the BJP has clarified that there is no likelihood of a change in the existing policy. The RSS is in a position to influence the ruling party at the Centre and statements of its chief on policy matters cannot be rejected outright. But it will not be easy to withdraw the policy.”
Rashtriya Sahara, in its editorial on the same day, writes: “In the recent meetings of Central ministers and senior RSS leaders — after which Bhagwat had expressed his satisfaction with the government’s functioning — the reservation policy may possibly have come up for discussion. It is not possible to know what transpired at these meetings. But the government is acting entirely according to the plan of the RSS. It can take a calculated step on Bhagwat’s instruction after the Bihar assembly and panchayat elections.”
Clock or Bomb?
Commenting on the arrest and subsequent appreciation of a Class 9 Muslim schoolboy of Sudanese origin in the United States, Ahmed Mohamed, after he made a unique digital smartclock, Siasat, in its editorial on September 20, writes: “Ahmed tried to show his inventive capabilities to his teacher but the teacher levelled allegations on him of being a terrorist and trying to make a bomb instead of responding with responsibility as a teacher. But the widespread support for the schoolboy in the US and the rest of the world has paved the way for the advancement of talented young Muslim students. US President Barack Obama took a timely step by expressing encouragement for Muslim children in the world of science and even invited Ahmed to visit the White House in October. This step by the president was also to prevent any damage to the reputation of his government.”
Compiled by Seema Chishti
Share
