New Delhi: An Israeli airstrike in the “safe zone” in Rafah city drew strong condemnation from Urdu newspapers Siasat, Inquilab, and Roznama Rashtriya Sahara in their editorials this week. The attack, which killed at least 45 displaced Palestinians living in a cluster of tents, also dominated their front pages the whole week.
In an editorial on this, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, 28 May, questioned whether any country could have withstood such an expansion of war in the way the Palestinians in Gaza have endured Israeli bombings.
Moreover, Urdu newspapers this week have criticised the Election Commission for its silence despite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies continuously violating the Constitution, laws, and democratic principles during the six-phase Lok Sabha elections.
Amid the last phase, a 28 May Siasat editorial questioned the BJP slogan about its target of ‘400-plus’ seats, saying even party leaders are uncertain whether that is achievable.
Other editorials in Urdu newspapers have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his speeches and comments this election season.
On 31 May, Inquilab wrote that it is difficult to conclude what Modi intended to convey during one of his interviews in which he said the world didn’t know about Mahatma Gandhi before a film on him.
Here’s a wrap-up of what found a place in the Urdu press this week.
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Elections, BJP’s goals & Modi’s Gandhi comment
Even if the BJP comes to power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi might not have the acceptability required to lead the government, Siasat wrote in its 28 May editorial.
“Many factions believe that even if the NDA coalition gains power, Narendra Modi will not be acceptable to all as prime minister. Names of Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari are being discussed within the BJP as strong contenders for the prime ministerial position in a contested situation,” it said.
Even BJP leaders are unsure about the goal of 400-plus seats, said the editorial, adding that there are doubts about whether the BJP can reach the 272-seat mark, and non-aligned parties are preparing to play one or the other role in a hung Parliament. The INDIA coalition, it said, needs to strategise and be ready for emergency decisions.
On 29 May, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, in its 28 May editorial mentioned earlier, questioned the fairness of the Election Commission (EC), accusing the ruling party and its allies of violating the Model Code of Conduct by using divisive tactics based on religion, making promises such as free meals for millions, and intimidating people.
The EC has failed to address these issues or respond to complaints, allowing unethical campaign practices, personal attacks on opposition leaders, and disrespectful advertisements targeting voters’ religious beliefs, it said.
In a 26 May editorial, Siasat said that similar to past concerns about electronic voting machines (EVMs), worries around the voting percentage have arisen this election.
Typically, EVMs allow for a quick presentation of voting ratios once voting concludes, which candidates rely on for conducting analyses, it said. However, this time, the EC has taken an unusually long time to announce the voting percentages, causing justified concerns among political parties, leaders, and candidates, it added, calling the delay “unprecedented”.
On 31 May, Inquilab wrote in its editorial — “Gandhi, Before Gandhi” — that Modi’s comments about Mahatma Gandhi could be seen as either praise or an attempt to undermine Gandhi’s legacy. While Modi’s words seemed appreciative, he implied Gandhi’s global recognition only came after a film, it said.
The editorial further said that Modi might have been aiming to highlight the Congress’s failure to promote Gandhi, but his inaccurate statement sparked controversy globally. It also suggests that the Prime Minister might be uninformed about historical facts, Inquilab added.
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Israel’s attacks on Gaza as ‘the world watches’
On 31 May, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara reported on its front page that the Israeli attack on Rafah has caused global unease.
The newspaper noted that a CNN report gave details about the devastating bomb used by the Israeli army to destroy a refugee camp in Gaza’s Rafah area. The report said the munition used in Israel’s deadly attack on Rafah was US-made.
On 30 May, a Siasat editorial said that Israel seems to have ignored global opposition and started a systematic genocide of Palestinians. Israel has destroyed Gaza, leaving only cries and rubble in its wake, while its aggressive bombings have killed thousands of Palestinians while the world watched, it said.
The editorial criticised global duplicity, noting the attention given to a few Israelis taken hostage by Hamas while ignoring Palestinian casualties, and condemned the US for protecting Israeli lives but showing no concern for Palestinian deaths.
Despite mass protests and pressure for a ceasefire, Israel has faced no significant action while the US, Britain, Germany, and France continue to support its aggression, it added.
On 29 May, in its lead report, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara called the Israeli strike on Rafah “barbaric”. It talked about the global condemnation that followed, the emergency meeting convened by the Security Council, and an investigation reportedly initiated by the Israeli military. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the attack, stressing the urgent need to halt such terrorism in Gaza, where no place is safe.
On May 29, Inquilab wrote in its editorial that neither Ukraine nor Israel are willing to end their respective conflicts. Destroying peace in Ukraine and Gaza benefits no one, and Israel’s aggression won’t secure its borders, it opined. These wars, it added, are strategies to stay engaged, test new weapons, and intimidate other countries — some countries set up arms shops while others buy from them proudly.
The editorial held that Israel continues the war because the US buys its weapons while providing loans and American arms to Israel. It said the Ukrainian defence budget rose by 640% due to the Russia conflict, and Israeli defence spending has soared also.
Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, in its 28 May editorial mentioned earlier, said the severity of Israeli airstrikes in Rafah indicates the conflict is far from over. The countries in the region are now rethinking their stance, but their attitude suggests they believe the fire won’t spread, making it difficult to predict its direction, said the editorial.
Several African and European nations recognise the unfolding crisis isn’t a Middle Eastern issue only but could escalate into a conflict that ultimately affects the world, said the editorial. It warned that if not extinguished soon, the fire may not cool that easily later. Consequently, many nations are now openly discussing Palestinian rights.
On 25 May, Inqilab’s editorial asked who could order a halt to Israel’s operations in Gaza. It said — ‘Will Israel obey such orders? Will the US compel compliance? The answer is no’. Amid mounting pressure, whether Netanyahu’s government complies with the International Court of Justice’s order to halt the military offensive remains to be seen, added the editorial.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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Modi never, ever was acceptable to all. He will never be. What matters is if public has given him the mandate. to govern. He then doesn’t have to worry about those breast beaters who will never accept him. It is public which elects the leader through legitimate elections and not the Andolanjivis through their propaganda.