Opinion Whose Mumbai?
Most Urdu papers have expressed disgust at the alleged softness towards leaders of Shiv Sena and the MNS in their campaign against non-Marathis in Mumbai.
Most Urdu papers have expressed disgust at the alleged softness towards leaders of Shiv Sena and the MNS in their campaign against non-Marathis in Mumbai. Hyderabads leading daily,Siasat,in its January 31 editorial titled Shiv Sena and the hate campaign writes: If leaders of Shiv Sena and their men break the law it is a regrettable concession to power and authority. The chief minister and home minister of Maharashtra say that the government would not allow any one to take law into their hands. The question is,to what world the Shiv Sena people belong? The paper adds: Seeing the Marathi agenda slipping out of his hands (to Raj Thackeray),Bal Thackeray has once again resorted to bayaan baazi (making statements).
In a hard-hitting editorial entitled Gandhigiri banaam ghoonda gardi (Gandhigiri versus goondaism) Rashtriya Sahara writes: Soon after a fitting reply by Shah Rukh and the great support received by him,Rahul Gandhis Mumbai visit and his meetings with the people of Mumbai fearlessly has proved that the goondaism of Shiv Sena can be defeated by Gandhigiri.
In an editorial on February 5,Patna and Ranchi-based daily,Qaumi Tanzeem,describes the type of statements and threats on the Marathi-non-Marathi question issued by Shiv Sena leaders as straightforward terrorism. It writes: No one can attain the status,respect and dignity of Shivaji by establishing a party in his name. Shivaji did not indulge in politics based on caste,community and religion. Instead,his army had a large number of Muslims. He always accorded a cordial treatment to Muslims. But the actions of Bal Thackeray and his proponents are extremely shameful.
The opposition by the RSS,though,has been the subject of much discussion. Delhi-based daily Jadeed Khabar,in an editorial (February 3) asks: The opposition from the RSS of the hateful campaign of Shiv Sena is not unexpected. How can the Sangh Parivars dream of Hindu Rashtra be actualised if the Hindus themselves get divided? But Delhi,Mumbai,Lucknow and Dehradun-based daily,Sahafat (February 2),describes it as a new game of the RSS. It writes: The RSS will win over a large section of north Indians as the champion of their security. This will benefit the Shiv Sena electorally as presently the claimants of anti-Shiv Sena votes are the Congress and the NCP… The gains of this drama in Maharashtra will be greater in UP and Bihar.
Indo-Pak talks
On the proposed talks between the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan,Delhi-based daily,Hindustan Express,in an editorial (February 8) writes: According to the view in Pakistani diplomatic circles,India will make Pakistans steps for eliminating terrorism the central point of this dialogue… Pakistan does not want to face any (inconvenient) questions in this regard. It wants the composite dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad to restart from where it had been interrupted… It is not possible to turn back the wheel of time. But we should also not get stuck with each others mistakes and refuse to move forward. Extremists of both sides want such a situation. We pray that our leaders may develop the courage to come out of this game of snakes and ladders.
Delhi-based daily Hamara Samaj in an editorial entitled,Pighalti burf (melting ice) (February 6) writes: By offering to talk India has,like always in the past,given proof of its large heartedness and provided the assurance of keeping its promise… A course of action to grapple with terrorism can be prepared. Along with it proper headway can be made in matters like the Kashmir issue,the water dispute,border issues,trade,industry,culture and the field of sports.
Islamic banking
According to a report in Hyderabad-based daily Rahnuma-e-Deccan (January 29),the Central government is seriously thinking about introducing Islamic banking in the country so that a heavy amount of capital from Islamic countries,particularly middle eastern countries,can be utilised to strengthen basic infrastructure in the country. The report quoting deputy chairman,Rajya Sabha,K. Rahman Khan (who is a strong votary of Islamic banking),says that a committee of secretaries,including the finance secretary,has submitted a report to the government highlighting features of Islamic banking,or banking without interest,and the usefulness of the capital that would come to India for developmental projects. An international conference of experts on Islamic banking in New Delhi earlier this month declared that only Islamic banking is the remedy for the global economic meltdown, says a report in Sahafat on February 5.
According to a report in Jamaat-e-Islamis biweekly organ Daawat on January 22,Dr Nejatullah Siddiqui,an Indian economist who has done the pioneering work in the field of banking without interest that has been recognised internationally,including by Saudi Arabia,visited Kerala recently and spoke to a wide range of audiences about the usefulness of this mode of banking. It argues: this system will be beneficial not only to Muslims but also to the country at large because many investors from the Middle-East want to invest here but in the absence of Islamic banking,they are unable to do so.
Share
