A weekend round up of comment in Hindi and Tamil newspapers for a North-South perspective on topical issues
Hindi
18 March 2019: Dainik Jagran is relieved at the appointment of the first Lokpal, Justice P C Ghose. However, if Lokpal works like the Lokayuktas in states, the dream of Lokpal as visualised during the Lokpal movement “will just remain a dream”. There is no point of an anti-corruption body if it cannot curb corrupt leaders and bureaucrats and provide relief to people, Jagran writes.
Amar Ujala says China’s efforts to stall naming Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Masood Azhar an international terrorist will be more difficult in the future after the stern reaction of three United Nation’s Security Council members – US, Britain and France. The Chinese ambassador to India has said China will try to resolve the issue – this indicates “China is under pressure over supporting Azhar”.
Tamil
Dinamani’s editorial refers to the recent collapse of a flyover in Mumbai in which at least six people died. It says that construction “is usually given to the one which bids the lowest price. Also, it is an unwritten law that these projects should be given to companies, which bribe the administrators and their kin. This can happen only in India.”
Abroad, the construction of flyovers is usually “avoided”. Instead, widening of roads, restrictions on private vehicles and the importance to public transport are encouraged. “We never want to learn anything from them. How many lives are we going to lose to such flyover mishaps?” it asks.
Daily Thanthi’s editorial concerns the mediation panel in the Ayodhya dispute. It says, “The mediation panel is mandated to submit the report in mid-May. Since the Supreme Court will start its vacation from May 13, this report will eventually be considered in July. So, this will not have any influence in the upcoming elections…” “Now, people of both religions should also compromise and hence live in harmony,” it concludes.
Hindi
19 March: Dainik Jagran talks of the desperate desire of the Congress to create a ‘Mahagathbandhan’ in Uttar Pradesh and the BSP’s equally stubborn refusal. The Congress had announced that it would leave seven seats for the SP-BSP coalition in UP. BSP’s Mayawati tweeted a ‘No, thank you’ to Congress.
The editorial compares the situation Congress finds itself in UP with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi — it has also been very keen on an alliance with the Congress but the latter has refused.
It further writes that no one knows what will happen in Delhi but if there is a coalition, “the oldest party of the country” will concede space in its stronghold Delhi and make its Delhi chief Sheila Dixit uncomfortable.” “Jo sangathan khud par bharosa nahi karte ve doobte hi hain (those who lack confidence in themselves, sink),” it adds.
Tamil
The Hindu Tamil’s editorial is on Meghalaya High Court’s verdict on the contempt case against Shillong Times and its editor. It says, “Courts should ensure that they are not blamed for curbing freedom of speech and expression by their acts… For a non-favorable and just judiciary, not anger but generosity is essential”.
Dinamani’s editorial considers the current election mood in Tamil Nadu: “… this election is going to decide the leadership ability of Edappadi K. Palaniswami, M.K. Stalin, T. T. V. Dhinakaran and Kamal Haasan, (so) it could be termed as a significant turning point in the state politics,” it writes.
Hindi
20 March: Dainik Bhaskar says the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls will be decided by Uttar Pradesh. In 2014, the BJP had captured power by winning 71 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in UP. The SP and BSP were wiped out though their combined vote count was higher than the BJP’s. “This coalition of SP-BSP might lead to a loss of 40 seats for the BJP,” writes Bhaskar.
It adds that the Congress has not become irrelevant – It has its dedicated voters. But since it is not a part of the SP-BSP alliance, it remains to be seen what impact it may have on the BJP.
Tamil
Daily Thanthi’s editorial is on the women’s reservation bill. It says, “In 1996, when the DMK was in power, M. Karunanidhi brought in 33% reservation for women in the local bodies which was later increased to 50% by Jayalalithaa…” It urges Tamil Nadu to be the driving force behind the passage of the women’s reservation bill as soon as the 17th Lok Sabha begins.
22 March: Daily Thanthi’s editorial draws attention to the drought situation in Tamil Nadu. The government has declared 17 districts as drought-hit recently. It says, “Though the model code of conduct is enforced, the Tamil Nadu government should take necessary relief measures immediately.”
Dinamani went with an editorial on Lokpal. It says, “Just by constituting Lokpal, corruption cannot be eradicated. We should still welcome this move since it will curtail the corruption minimally at least. The power of Pinaki Chandra Ghose needs to be strengthened.”
With inputs from Shailaja Bajpai.