From the Urdu Press: ‘PM’s UCC pitch in secular terms to hurt BJP more than Opp’, ‘J&K polls crucial as they would give it an elected govt’

INQUILAB

Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pitch for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during his 11th Independence Day speech, the New Delhi edition of Inquilab, in its leader on August 18, says that a UCC has been a part of the BJP’s three-point core ideological agenda, of which it has fulfilled two issues: the abrogation of Article 377 and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. “The BJP, or its erstwhile avatar Jana Sangh, has always raked up the UCC issue, but the party has never really come out with its model draft code. It seems to have been more interested in extracting political mileage out of it,” the daily says. “The BJP tends to insinuate that the Muslim community backed by the Congress is the lone hurdle in the UCC’s rollout, although the point remains that it would also impact other communities and groups, who have their unique personal law and customs, especially those relating to marriage and succession. So, leave aside Muslims, the party would also face a backlash from other groups or castes too if it goes on pushing for the UCC.”

Referring to PM Modi’s statement that it is time the country moves towards a “secular civil code” as distinct from the existing “communal civil code”, the editorial says, “This is the first time that the the proposed UCC has been called a secular civil code. The word ‘secular’ has always been anathema to the BJP. So does the new formulation reflect a change of heart? In the process, calling the existing code ‘communal’ would be an insult to the architect of our Constitution B R Ambedkar.”

The edit states that if the BJP is looking to cash in on this issue in the coming Assembly polls, the party may even end up facing a blowback by giving a handle to the Opposition to accuse it of making a bid to change the Constitution.”Some observers believe that the framing of the proposed UCC as a secular civil code is a bid to turn the tables on the Opposition, but it would actually benefit the latter as the BJP has now given recognition to secularism.”

ROZNAMA RASHTRIYA SAHARA

Highlighting the outrage over the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, the multi-edition Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, in its editorial on August 16, notes the countrywide protests by doctors and civil society members over the incident, with the CBI taking over the probe. “The incident has not only put the administration in the dock but also exposed the hollowness of platitudes made for the cause of safety, equality and justice for women,” the editorial says. In his Independence Day speech, PM Modi had expressed his concern over atrocities against women, stressing on severe punishment for the perpetrators.

“However, crimes against women continue to be on the rise. It is unfortunate that decisive action in these cases is not taken by the authorities unless people hit the streets to voice their outrage,” the editorial states. In several heinous cases, accused or convicts have been let off the hook, it says. “Currently, rape convicts Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram Bapu are out on parole. In Bilkis Bano gangrape and murder case too, the convicts had been given remission,” the edit notes. “There have been incidents where authorities looked the other way — like the case of two women being paraded naked by a mob of men in Manipur — or tried to shield the guilty, such as the Hathras gangrape-murder and Unnao rape case.”

The daily writes that it is imperative to set an example in the case of Kolkata horror by swiftly bringing the guilty to justice. “It is disturbing that we have continued to turn a blind eye to atrocities against women. All steps must be taken to eradicate this menace and ensure equal rights, protection and justice for women.”

SIASAT

Referring to the EC’s announcement of the Assembly elections in J&K and Haryana in September-October, the Hyderabad-based Siasat, in its editorial on August 17, points out that J&K will see the Assembly polls for the first time after 10 years. The editorial notes that J&K’s political landscape has changed after August 2019, when the Centre scrapped Article 370 giving it special status while splitting the state into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh. The J&K polls would be crucial in every respect as it would pave the way for an elected government after a protracted spell of the Central rule, it says, adding that “a government formed with public mandate is always a key hallmark of a democracy”. “As regards the J&K situation in the wake of abrogation of Article 370, there has not been any significant change despite the government’s claims, with the lives of common people barely seeing any improvement.”

On Haryana, the daily says that it saw political upheaval ahead of the Lok Sabha polls when the BJP suddenly replaced its then CM Manohar Lal Khattar with Nayab Singh Saini while snapping its ties with a major ally, the Dushyant Chautala-led JJP. “The Congress had then cried foul over the Saini regime being reduced to a minority government, but to no avail, with the BJP government now set to complete its tenure,” it states, while adding that the Congress did manage to put up a good show in the Lok Sabha polls. The Congress is riding high on perceived public support, and is looking for a return to power in the state after 10 years, the editorial says, adding that the AAP and JJP may also join hands with the party. “It is imperative for the EC now to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in both J&K and Haryana.”