New Delhi: Urdu newspapers this week welcomed the Supreme Court ruling laying down guidelines for demolitions, hailing the “end of bulldozer terror”. Publications like Siasat, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara and Inquilab lauded the judgement as a significant step in protecting constitutional democracy by curbing the misuse of state power.
The Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls also got prominent coverage. A Siasat editorial questioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s campaign promises in both states, suggesting that they may lack substance.
Furthermore, the Urdu newspapers expressed concern over surging inflation. A Sahara editorial warned that without immediate government intervention, both economic and political stability could be jeopardised as public trust continues to erode.
Here’s a wrap of the news and editorials in the Urdu press last week.
Also Read: In ‘1 nation, 1 election’, Urdu press sees quest for convenience that risks silencing local voices
‘End of bulldozer terror’
On 14 November, Sahara published an editorial titled ‘The End of Bulldozer Terror’, commenting on the Supreme Court’s ruling in which it castigated state governments for meting out “bulldozer justice” (through demolition of property) to persons accused of or convicted for a crime.
The editorial said that the order laying down rules for demolitions was a significant step in preventing the misuse of state power. “The court’s decision strengthens the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights and reinforces the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democracy,” it further said.
On 14 November, Siasat said in an editorial that multiple courts have intervened in the issue of demolitions. “The Supreme Court firmly opposed such demolitions, stressing that due legal process cannot be bypassed. Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan noted that home ownership is a cherished dream, and arbitrary demolitions violate this right. They warned that officials who misuse power would be personally liable for damages,” it noted.
Initially adopted in Uttar Pradesh, this approach spread to states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, instilling fear and leaving many helpless. However, some citizens placed faith in the judiciary, which has upheld the rule of law and reminded officials of their responsibilities. The Supreme Court’s decision now provides hope for an end to such practices, said the editorial.
Polls in Jharkhand & Maharashtra
On 15 November, Siasat said in an editorial that while the BJP and its allies focus on religious sentiments in their poll campaigns, the opposition Congress and allies are discussing real public issues.
“Rahul Gandhi is addressing problems like youth employment and inflation with data, contrasting with emotional appeals. The campaign in Maharashtra is clearly divided, with one side using religious slogans and the other aiming to tackle practical issues. However, the Election Commission’s inaction on religious rhetoric indirectly encourages such tactics. Voters are urged to choose candidates who offer real solutions over those relying on emotional manipulation,” read the Siasat piece.
On 13 November, the paper in its editorial questioned Amit Shah’s campaign promises in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. At a poll rally in Jharkhand, Shah had vowed to “hang corrupt leaders upside down” if the BJP won the assembly polls.
The Siasat editorial remarked that Shah’s words may be hollow, citing past unfulfilled commitments such as the poll promise of depositing Rs 15 lakh in every bank account. Back in 2014, while campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to bring back “black money” from abroad and deposit Rs 15 lakh each in every citizen’s bank account. However, Shah had later said his statements were a “jumla” or election gimmick.
The editorial asked why Shah was insisting that winning Jharkhand was necessary to fight corruption, especially since central agencies under his control could already take action. It further asked Shah to clarify how many corrupt leaders he had actually punished and how many had received “clean chits” after joining the BJP.
Suvendu Adhikari, once accused in the Saradha scam, joined the BJP after which the case vanished. Ajit Pawar, accused by the Prime Minister in a 70,000-crore (irrigation) scam, is now Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister in a BJP coalition government. Investigations against Andhra Pradesh’s Chandrababu Naidu and his allies were dropped once they aligned with the BJP, said the paper.
The editorial further remarked that in BJP-ruled states, serious issues involving BJP leaders often go uninvestigated, like the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh and cases against B.S. Yediyurappa in Karnataka.
Siasat argued that Shah’s role as home minister demanded accountability, not selective action. “If the BJP is serious about fighting corruption, political affiliation should not matter.”
On 13 November, an Inquilab editorial discussed the differences between Jharkhand and Maharashtra in terms of politics. Jharkhand, where power shifts every few years, has 81 seats in this assembly election, while Maharashtra has 288. Unlike Maharashtra’s fragmented politics, Jharkhand’s parties remain less divided. Both states share issues like unemployment and inflation, it said.
The editorial disagreed with predictions of a Mahayuti victory in Maharashtra and those of 45-50 seats for the BJP-led NDA in Jharkhand.
An Inquilab editorial on 11 November highlighted the divisiveness of the Maharashtra assembly elections, attributing the chaos to undemocratic pursuit of power at any cost.
The BJP’s attempts to fracture parties have led to political instability, challenging democracy, it further said, adding that corruption continues despite police actions, and slogans raised in Maharashtra, borrowed from Uttar Pradesh, could worsen the situation. The BJP’s rise in Maharashtra has been largely due to its alliance with the Shiv Sena, not its own ideological appeal, and despite this, questions remain about the state’s actual gains under BJP rule, the editorial said.
A Siasat editorial of 11 November also said that in the assembly elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra, the BJP was using fear-based tactics rather than campaigning on its achievements. It argued that BJP leaders, including Amit Shah, were promoting divisive narratives, particularly targeting backward classes with warnings that the Congress intended to strip them of reservations to benefit minorities—a claim without basis. Siasat urged voters, especially in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, to avoid being swayed by such campaigns.
On 10 November, Siasat highlighted in an editorial that recent trends show political disagreements are turning into personal animosity, with baseless accusations and derogatory terms being used. This undermines India’s values of tolerance and respect, it said.
‘US remains a major player’
On 12 November, Inquilab in an editorial discussed the global attention on the US presidential elections in a world increasingly perceived as either unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar.
Some experts argue that the US and the European Union form a bipolar world, while others include countries like China, India, Turkey, Indonesia, and Mexico in a multipolar framework. Despite differing views on global power structures, there is no doubt that the US remains a major player, with its elections attracting worldwide focus, the editorial said.
The piece also questioned why Kamala Harris lost and why Donald Trump, facing serious charges, won the US election. It mentioned factors like illegal immigration and inflation, but said that deeper motivations, particularly the influence of the capitalist class, were also at play. It suggested that Trump’s success was supported by the capitalist elite who favour crony capitalism, a system benefiting a few industrialists and business moguls.
‘Public trust continues to decline’
On 15 November, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara voiced concern in an editorial over rising inflation, largely fuelled by increasing petrol and diesel prices which have raised transportation costs and, consequently, prices of food and essential goods.
Agricultural costs have also doubled in the past decade, leaving farmers unable to earn fair prices, driving many into debt and pushing up farmer suicides, it said. Inflation is widening economic inequality, especially affecting the poor and middle class, whose purchasing power has dropped. Coupled with high unemployment, this crisis is worsening youth discontent. Without immediate government intervention, both economic and political stability could be at risk as public trust continues to decline, the editorial added.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
Urdu language has no religion. But Urdu writers will always favor one over the other. Shameless liars. Enabled by couptaji
Urdu means Muslim press for quite sometime. Not surprising.