New Delhi: “Mere claims, without tangible outcomes, cannot resolve the complex issue of poverty,” an editorial in the prominent Urdu daily Siasat said this week, commenting on the Niti Aayog’s paper that India’s multidimensional poverty has gone down since the Modi government came to power in 2014.
In the discussion paper released earlier this week, the NITI Aayog said that the share of India’s population living in multidimensional poverty — an index that encompasses the various facets of deprivations experienced by the poor — is estimated to have fallen from 29.17 percent in 2013-14 to 11.28 percent in 2022-23 .
The Urdu press, however, appeared to view the think tank’s numbers with some suspicion.
The Siasat editorial, for instance, wanted the government to provide more insight into the impact of its poverty alleviation schemes. “The government needs to clarify how many people in India are still living below the poverty line,” it said, adding that if the government’s claims are correct, it’s a “noteworthy feat”.
Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, too, discussed poverty in its editorial on 17 January. News about inflation and fluctuations in food prices may be commonplace now but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t worry people, the editorial said.
“Rising inflation and rampant unemployment, particularly among the youth, are causing significant distress to the common people. According to conservative estimates, the prices of essential commodities and other necessities have multiplied manifold. The rise in the prices of energy and essential goods, the increase in indirect taxes, the uncontrolled inflation, and the devaluation of the rupee have impoverished people, ruining the lives of a significant population in the country,” it said.
Other topics that got prominent coverage include Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra — the sequel to the Bharat Jodo Yatra he undertook last year. Several editorials praised the yatra, which comes months from the general election.
The row between Pakistan and Iran following Tehran’s airstrikes in Balochistan, the challenges that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal faces in the ongoing investigation into a liquor scam, and the India-Maldives diplomatic crisis also got significant coverage on front pages and editorials of the Urdu press.
Here’s a wrap-up of all the news that made front-page headlines and editorials this week.
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Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra
Inquilab saw Congress’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which began 14 January, as a way to “build trust with the people” of the conflict-ridden Manipur “and heal their wounds”.
Its 16 January editorial said that beginning the yatra from Manipur had special significance.
“Everyone is aware of the horrifying incidents in this small state, and the details are heart-wrenching. Rahul Gandhi had visited Manipur when violence was ongoing. Now, starting his journey from the same conflict-ridden area, Rahul and the Congress party aim to build trust among the people of Manipur and attempt to heal their wounds. This process is crucial in this context, especially since the prime minister has not visited Manipur so far. National media may downplay the importance of this pilgrimage, but the strength of this message will reach the people,” it said.
Siasat and Sahara, too, appeared enthusiastic about the yatra. In its editorial on 15 January, Siasat said there were many “positive changes” after the Manipur tour, saying that there was an improvement in Rahul’s image now since “people are now valuing his opinions”.
“Rahul Gandhi is increasingly seen as an emerging leader and alternative (to Narendra Modi). As he undertakes the second phase of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, understanding people’s sentiments is crucial. The ongoing divisiveness needs to be addressed by spreading messages of love and brotherhood. Responses to people’s concerns should guide comprehensive and effective steps to create an inclusive environment in line with their thoughts,” it said.
Emphasising the need to counter polarisation and address people’s issues, the editorial urged the Congress to strategically use social media and devise a well-organised plan to counter negative publicity against the yatra.
Like Inquilab, Sahara appreciated the “strategic choice” of starting this iteration of the yatra from Manipur. Its editorial on 15 January said that during the trip, Rahul targeted the BJP and its governments at both the central and state levels.
The yatra, it said, is aimed at drawing attention to the Congress’s stance against the ruling party. “Through this, the Congress aims to ensure substantial support wherever the yatra, fostering connections with people, similar to the successful Bharat Jodo Yatra.”
Iran vs Pakistan
The ongoing Iran-Pakistan diplomatic tension following the airstrike in Balochistan found mention in Siasat’s editorial on 19 January that stressed “the issue of terrorism can’t be resolved through accusations”.
It was referring to Tehran’s claim that the strike was meant to target Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, or the “Army of Justice,” following its December attack on a police station in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province.
The Siasat editorial urged both countries to acknowledge each other’s valid concerns, work collaboratively, and avoid actions that could escalate the tension. There is a “need for Iran and Pakistan to address allegations seriously and work towards regional peace, considering the potential negative impact of conflict on the entire region,” it said.
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Kejriwal’s challenges & Shiv Sena crisis
In its editorial on 18 January, Sahara discussed the challenge to Arvind Kejriwal’s Delhi government, especially when it comes to the corruption allegations against many of his party leaders.
Prominent leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, such as former deputy minister Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, have been arrested over alleged irregularities in the government’s now scrapped liquor policy. The Enforcement Directorate has also, on occasions, summoned Kejriwal for questioning, although he hasn’t been named as accused in the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) — the ED’s equivalent of an FIR.
According to the editorial, although the accusations have only escalated in the last two years, “Kejriwal excels in identifying and confronting accusers”.
“Although facing formidable challenges, Kejriwal strategically deals with multifaceted assaults, aligning against the forces attempting to weaken him,” it said, citing the Delhi government’s decisions to provide 200 units of free electricity to the poor as an example.
In its editorial on 18 January, Inquilab discussed the Sena versus Sena battle and Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar’s decision to uphold the Eknath Shinde faction as the valid one. Speaking about the hearings in the Maharashtra assembly in the run-up to the decision, it highlighted the “confidence” exhibited by members of the Shinde faction while presenting its case, implying that the outcome of the case was a given.
While deciding on cross-petitions of the two factions of the Shiv Sena, Speaker Narwekar, formerly a leader of the undivided Shiv Sena but currently with the ruling BJP, declared the 2018 amendment party’s constitution as invalid. The 2018 amendment made Uddhav Thackeray the ‘paksha pramukh’, or chief of the Shiv Sena.
“Such self-confidence speaks for itself and requires no further explanation,” the editorial said. Uddhav Thackeray faction now knocked on the Supreme Court’s doors and sought an expeditious hearing of their case, the editorial said.
“It’s difficult to predict how swiftly this application will be dealt with since the Supreme Court currently has a plethora of cases,” it said. “However, it’s hoped that this petition will be admitted since it involves preventing (any such) future political turmoil and addressing the allegations that such cases are being manipulated through power or wealth.”
Maldives crisis & flight delays
India needs to appease the Maldives, Inquilab said in an editorial on 19 January, referring to the diplomatic row after three Maldivian ministers made controversial comments about Modi.
The editorial saw the controversy through the prism of Chinese influence over the Indian Ocean.
China is an expansionist country, it said, adding that if reports are to be believed, Beijing has already staked claim on parts of Indian territory. “This is also the reason behind it spreading its influence in the Maldives,” the editorial said, cautioning India to be vigilant.
In an editorial on 17 January, Siasat highlighted the flight delays and chaos caused by unpredictable weather.
“The absence of proper communication with passengers has led to confusion and disorder at airports and (its effects are) not limited to North India,” it said. “The aviation industry, affected by the northern weather, requires immediate government intervention. Controlling public sentiment and improved coordination among airline officials, airport authorities, and meteorologists is crucial to prevent prolonged disruption and adverse impact on the aviation sector. Immediate government action is necessary.”
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)