Pakistan invented the “root causes” theory to justify the export of terror through its Lashkars, al Qaeda, Taliban and others. Now, in company of cornered bigots Recep Erdogan and Mahathir Mohamad, Imran Khan is employing the same trick with France, but is only drawing global ridicule to himself and Pakistan.
New central law will wind up judicial activism on Delhi’s air. And that’s good
Judicial activism on Delhi’s air began with MC Mehta’s PIL in 1985. It worked well because it brought CNG, Metro and new buses. But over time, it became a taxpayer-funded, self-serving activist-judiciary-media complex, even as the air quality worsened. It’s good that the new central law will wind it up.
After reading Shri Pankaj Mishra’s column, it is saddening to learn that President Macron is doing this for political / electoral gain.
The beheading of a school teacher is worthy of the deepest condemnation. As an absolute, without caveats or context. It is good that the police shot dead the assailant. 2. Idol worship is forbidden in Islam. Any pictorial depiction of divinity is proscribed. So it must cause incredible pain to Muslims to see cartoons that mock the Holy Prophet. Our own Constitution imposes reasonable restrictions on free speech. France and Germany were once monochromatic, white, Christian nations. They now have sizeable Muslim minorities. It should be possible to forge a more harmonious accommodation with people who have a different cultural ethos, including dressing modestly for girls and women.
The buck stops with the central government. Not just because Delhi is not a full fledged state. Poor air quality in Delhi / NCR / northern India requires Centre and states to work harmoniously together. Putting a phased end to stubble burning – not beyond three to five years at the most – should be very high on the agenda. A complete ban on firecrackers is low hanging fruit to be plucked immediately. No utopian schemes like Odd Even. The fact that the personages who rule India all live in Delhi makes the case for its air to be breathable all the more compelling. Is our friend Bhure Lal still mucking around Delhi …