Opinion Muslim Appeasement

Reacting to the UP chief minister’s recent remarks that “innocent” Muslim youth in jails would be released,the RSS has called it “a dangerous move”. It argues that the “announcement to release terror suspects assumes an alarming significance. It amounts to giving a veiled warning to the police to think several times before arresting Muslims. The investigating agencies would come under tremendous pressure because they would be working with the pressure of a goad on their ribs”.

The Organiser also charges Akhilesh with pandering to Muslim leaders in appointing Zafaryab Jilani,the face of the Babri Masjid Action Committee and vocal advocate of the Muslim personal law board,as additional advocate general. It asks about possible reactions if the lawyers representing the other side in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case were appointed to high judicial positions. “The UP government can fast-track cases,appoint extra courts to deal with long pending cases and complete the process. Those who falsely implicate innocents should be punished also. But the way one goes about it must be transparent and must instill the confidence of the people in the government and the courts. By making political announcements on releasing people in jail,only on the basis of religion,Akhilesh Yadav is giving a licence to the people of one community to do what they want,” it says.

Right To Equality?

An article in the Organiser by Ram Madhav,former RSS spokesperson and now a member of the organisation’s central executive,criticised the Supreme Court decision to exempt unaided minority educational institutions from providing 25 per cent seats to the children of SC,ST and other underprivileged sections of society under the Right to Education Act.

Contending that the court’s decision to invoke Article 29 and 30,which upholds the educational and cultural rights of minorities,must be challenged,Madhav maintains that the court should have instead said that unaided minority institutions should provide 25 per cent seats to the poor and underprivileged among the minorities.

“It is a sad commentary that the Supreme Court lets them off the hook when it comes to providing basic education to the poor and underprivileged children of their communities. It is well known that many of the most expensive schools in our country are minority-run schools. It is also well known that they provide education not only to the people of their community but those of the rich families of the majority whocan afford the astronomical fee,” charges Madhav.

The move,he says,also brings up the “insensitivity and irresponsibility” of the minority institutions to the fore.

Firing Agni

Hailing the successful launch of Agni V,the Panchajanya has said that India has provided a strategic cover to its national security by the move. It adds that,with its capability to hit 5000 km from anywhere in India,the country has replied to China’s strategic gameplan. “What is an even bigger achievement is the fact that 80 per cent of the Agni V technology is indigenous. The foundations for rocket propulsion technology (were) laid by missile man A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Agni V launch is a milestone in that direction,” it said.

Underlining the threat to the country’s security and unity from Pakistan and China,Panchjanya maintains that India has to hasten and strengthen its defence preparedness. Contending that the recent controversy over the shortage of ammunition and weapon systems was unfortunate,it says that the country should prioritise self-sufficiency and develop indigenous systems.

Compiled by Swaraj Thapa