New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) turns into a “lion” when remarks by opposition leaders irk the ruling party, read an editorial in Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, referring to the show-cause notice issued to Rahul Gandhi for remarks directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This situation shows that the Commission is failing to fulfil its primary responsibility of ensuring impartial conduct during the electoral process. Speeches of leaders of the ruling party act as a lullaby for it (EC) to listen to and sink into a slumber of neglect. When the ruling class is hurt by any statement by the Opposition, the EC comes forward, as bold as a lion, and fulfils its constitutional duty of demanding accountability,” it read.
The editorial went further to clarify that while the EC’s initiative should not anger anyone, the real issue is that only Opposition leaders’ remarks are seen as violative of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
“What kind of equipment does the EC use that it is unable to hear or see derogatory or offensive remarks/accusations levelled by powerful BJP leaders,” it asked.
Besides assembly elections in five states and the show-cause notice to Rahul Gandhi, Uttar Pradesh government’s ban on ‘halal-certified’ food products, India’s loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup final and the plight of 41 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi featured on the front and editorial pages of the Urdu press this past week.
An editorial in The Siasat Daily on 20 November asked voters in Telangana, where polling is to be held on 30 November, if issues like inflation and employment mattered to them. The editorial was also critical of promises the BJP has made to voters in Telangana — free visits to the Ram temple in Ayodhya and implementation of a Uniform Civil Code.
“Such negative thinking and political bewilderment emphasises the need for voters to stay vigilant and informed. It is necessary to educate those with negative thinking through the (power of) vote,” read the editorial.
On November 22, an editorial in The Inquilab questioned the efficacy of the INDIA alliance of Opposition parties opposed to the BJP. While reports continue to surface about resentment among constituents, there has been little movement on efforts to strengthen the alliance since the last of the three meetings held in Mumbai, it said.
The same day, an editorial in The Siasat Daily said BJP’s poll promise of free visits to the Ram temple amounts to playing with religious sentiments for political gain. “This attempt to link temple visits with resolution of fundamental issues won’t address people’s core concerns,” said the editorial, criticising the BJP for not showcasing its policies instead.
Voters in Rajasthan, said another editorial in The Siasat Daily on 24 November, have an opportunity to elect leaders who address their fundamental issues, rather than seek votes using emotional or divisive slogans. People need leaders who are foresighted and set an example for other states without falling prey to sentimentality or greed, it added.
Also Read: ‘Modi & BJP not in celebratory mood this election, public favours Congress,’ writes Urdu press
‘India lost finals but won hearts’
Australia’s victory in the final match of the ICC ODI Men’s World Cup was the lead story in The Inquilab on 20 November. The Urdu daily also reported how a man wearing a “Free Palestine” T-shirt breached the security cordon during the final match and tried to hug Virat Kohli, who was on strike at the time, at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
On 21 November, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara carried an editorial titled “Team India: Lost the match, won hearts” celebrated how India successfully hosted a major sporting event.
“It is hoped that this will benefit India in the future. Other big tournaments will also be organised in our country and in new cities, which will lead to the development of those cities and the world will be better acquainted with them,” read the editorial.
Ban on ‘halal-certified’ food products
The UP government’s ban on production, storage, distribution and sale of ‘halal-certified’ products also made the front pages of Urdu dailies.
On 20 November, The Inquilab reported how the Samajwadi Party (SP) termed the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government’s decision to ban ‘halal-certified’ food products as an example of “Hindu-Muslim politics”.
Two days later, raids by the UP Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) in Lucknow, Ghaziabad, and Hardoi, among other places, found mention on the Urdu daily’s front page, along with the caveat that no ‘halal-certified’ food products were recovered in the raids.
‘Maintaining balance of nature’
The ongoing operation to rescue 41 labourers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi too featured prominently on the front page of Urdu dailies.
On 21 November, Roznama Rashtriya Sahara reported that the Uttarakhand High Court had sought a report from the central and state governments on the status of the rescue of 41 workers trapped in Silkyara tunnel. The next day, it reported how authorities established a video link provided workers with food and water through a six-inch pipe.
On 22 November, the Urdu daily also carried an editorial on how development of hotels, resorts and commercial complexes had rapidly altered the natural landscape in hilly areas, identifying unpredictable weather patterns as a direct consequence.
It added that the collapse of a section of the under-construction tunnel was the result of “man’s treatment of nature in the name of development”.
“While one cannot deny the need for development, human existence depends on maintaining the balance of nature,” read the editorial.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
Also Read: ‘Concrete action, not verbal assurances’ — Urdu press calls on BJP to initiate national caste census