In an editorial, Hyderabad-based Siasat writes on April 25 that “present political conditions in the country are indicative of the creation of a third front. In UP, the congregation of five regional parties, with several former chief ministers, indicate that efforts towards that ‘front’ are being made.” The paper writes that “Left parties have also shown their preference for a third front, but because of lack of conditions which are conducive to it, have held back.”

The paper believes that things are changing. Incidentally, the paper also reports on page one on the same day that Sharad Pawar has brushed off the idea of the third front and said he would stick with the UPA. Delhi and Kolkata-based daily, Akhbar-e-Mashriq, writes, “the ground has been laid for the third front and an announcement can be made any day.” The paper believes that the Congress, BJP and BSP will not be part of the new front.

Behenji’s instructions

Tabloid-weekly Nai Duniya, in its issue dated April 30, has a full page on the details of a letter purportedly written by BSP chief Mayawati to her party functionaries, especially dalits. The paper claims that the “letter has painted a very ugly picture of Muslims” which according to it, “is more dangerous than the CD reportedly circulated by the BJP.” The paper quotes the ‘letter’ as saying that “despite the fact of Muslims being extremists, they have been given tickets to help in capturing power.” Mayawati — signing off as Aapki Behenji — according to Nai Duniya, “has urged her functionaries to not make any critical references to the Congress or BJP. Whatever has to be said about them, will be said by me Mayawati.” The letter reportedly also says, “our objective is to capture power, and one may have to shake hands with anybody in times of need.”

Kashmir round table

This has been the subject of several reports and comments. National Herald’s Qaumi Awaaz on April 24 writes: “It is only round table conferences that can resolve the political crisis in Kashmir.” The paper hasn’t given much importance to the non-participation of separatists because “no leader from among them has come up with any proper or useful line on how to resolve the crisis in the interests of Kashmiris.” Siasat, on April 25, in a page one report has highlighted “the government’s resolve to face the threat by terrorists and also to put to an end to human rights’ violations.”

Hindu weds Muslim

Jamaat-e-Islami’s bi-weekly, Daawat, writes in an editorial on April 19, “if a boy is Muslim, and the girl a Hindu, then there is a big noise about it. Talk of conversion and all hell breaks loose. But if the boy is a Hindu marrying a Muslim girl, why does everybody praise the couple and see it as something to be celebrated?” The paper doesn’t want “double-standards” like these to be continued.

Akhbar-e-Mashriq is supportive of mixed marriages and writes in its editorial on April 15: “it is not unnatural for boys and girls of different communities to get together. And this often results in Muslim boy falling in love with a Hindu girl or conversely. Communal forces need a pretext to give political colour to any such occurrence.”

Specially English

Mumbai-based Inquilab writes in an editorial on April 15, that “this is the time when parents choose schools for their children… while people should admit their children to Urdu-medium schools, they must also make sure that they study English and are not kept away from English. The children should be in touch with their culture/religion, but should not forego the study of English — in fact, should go for tuitions or even special English classes.”

P.S.: Delhi-based Hindustan Express reports on April 18, that Azam Khan, a minister in the UP Cabinet, “already notorious for strange remarks” has told a rally in Rampur, that “voters must not fear the police lathi on polling day. Be-dhadak voting karna.” He goes on to add; “in case anyone is beaten up by the police or jailed, they would be rewarded with a special certificate and all their interests would be given a priority in future.”

Compiled by Seema Chishti