Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Babri demolition acquittal
On 01 October, a special CBI court in Lucknow acquitted all 32 accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case, including former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, former Union Ministers Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh. Ironically, the demolition sparked nationwide riots that killed more than 3,000 people in a decade-long dispute that has fuelled Hindu-Muslim tension, as the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s campaign for Hindu renaissance helped bring it to power.
The special court judge said that the demolition was not pre-planned and that the accused were “trying to stop the mob and not incite them”. He added that there was not enough evidence against the accused and that the court could not probe the authenticity of the audio and video evidence provided by the CBI. Reacting to the verdict, Pakistan strongly condemned the “shameful” acquittal of those responsible for demolishing the historic Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
The failure of secularism in India is apparent from its treatment to the minorities. India is intolerable of religious minorities. India preaches democracy and rule of law but does not practise it. The image of India abroad is of a tolerant country but the reality is otherwise as democracy notion include protection of minorities. The government has failed to protect vulnerable communities including Dalits, tribal groups and religious minorities such as Sikhs, Muslims and Christians.
AFIA AMBREEN
Rawalpindi
EU ambassador is right!
I strongly agree with EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe who recently said that continuous support to Zimbabwean government is impossible. Zimbabwe is richly endowed with natural resources which include fertile land, forest, water, wildlife, sunshine, minerals and gas among others. The exploitation of these natural resources presents immense opportunities to sustain high levels of income-based resource rents. Zimbabwe is a wasteful country with high level of corruption worsened by irresponsible, reckless and ruthless ZANU PF government led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The ongoing mismanagement and corruption mean that the European Union should not resume aid directly to the government of Zimbabwe. Mnangagwa seized power from his former mentor in a coup and declared that he will transform the country democratically and unlock the massive potential of Zimbabwe. The reality is that he has destroyed the country and he continue to further destroy the country economically, socially, politically and spearhead the further abuses of human rights through abductions and arrests. EU must stop supporting Zimbabwe and help poor countries with better government and led by responsible government. Careless, clueless and corrupt ZANU PF government will embezzle the aid. Mnangagwa and his rogue government must not be supported financially but must be removed from power to save Zimbabwe.
KUDZAI CHIKOWORE
London
Internet: A blessing or curse
In modern era, it is a proven fact proved that the use of Internet has become very useful and helpful for the mankind. Internet is a fast telecommunication system through which we can be connected with one another from every corner of the world. Often internet plays a role of peer and near in loneliness, and some time, it becomes a guide.
It is a best source for doing studies. However, the internet is also misused for some malevolent activities. Also children are misguided. They are following the wrong path by misusing it. Should parents allow their children to use the internet? Can we trust blindly in our young generation? Using internet is good and ertainly parents should allow their kids to use internet but only for study purpose and make sure that they will not move on to further activities. The young generation of modern world has a unique talent and they are a future asset. But when it comes to trust it depends upon how they have been looked after.
HASNAIN ASAD MEMON
Sukkur
Crime against women
The recent brutal Hathras gangrape of a 19-year-old Dalit woman brings shame to humanity. After the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, fast-track courts and a tougher rape law that included death penalty was enacted. Despite continuous media coverage, the case took over seven years, the average being much higher. Governments have changed but nothing much has been done to improve the justice system. Crime statistics indicate the situation has got worse. There is no political will to enforce the laws. Unfortunately, even a heinous crime like rape becomes a political issue in India. Parties start exploiting the situation for political gains. People are fed up with the hypocrisy shown by the ruling elite.
Is CM Yogi Adityanath’s intelligence machinery so poor that he didn’t know what his administration was doing in the dead of night? As per Hindu traditions, no cremation takes place after sunset. Then why such hasty cremation? Is CM Yogi Adityanath helpless before the high and mighty in his state? The Uttar Pradesh government has much to answer for. The matter had not even died when another heinous rape and murder took place in the same state a few days later. Taking suo moto notice, the HC has asked top officials to appear before it on October 12. Why not today, when the SC can function at midnight to hear a terrorist’s plea? Only a quick justice can pacify the people. Heads must roll to fix accountability.
The rape and murder exposes the disgusting manner in which crime against women is being approached and dealt with by the UP police which seems to have become a trigger-happy force since Yogi Adityanath took over as the Chief Minister. Not only was it outrageous to have cremated the young woman in the dead of night without her family’s consent, but it has also stripped down every value that a human holds. Under the Yogi government, the state has witnessed a 27.9% rise in crime against women, especially those of Dalits. The UP CM must ensure the safety of women, and the state police must be held accountable. Let us all unite and fight for justice for this young Dalit woman.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Pay us salaries
The recent pandemic followed by an unanticipated lockdown left millions of people jobless and unpaid. Over six-month period was partially the reflection of doomsday but for downtrodden people it was through and through the time of catastrophic death and destruction. People belonging to all segments including the people of so-called superpowers were compelled to kneel down before the might of an epidemic. The corona threw the gifts enveloping anxiety, depression, fear of death ‘famish and autophobia’.
But yet the owners of the private sectors who had been sucking the blood of employees have refused to pay the salaries. As many people term this (private sector) as modern slavery. In the past six months, the world witnessed so many problems. Millions of people kicked the bucket out of starvation. This actually paved the way to social issues like suicide because of poverty, depression and empty pocket. On the other hand, government employees were paid by governments; that’s why they could manage their affairs in this arduous time but the jobless or the persons who were dependent on private organizations were looking for miracle.
Now when entire the private sector especially education sector have reopened, the ray of hope emerged in the eyes of affected class. But what was observed, the owners of schools declined the demand of teachers to pay them the salaries of past six months saying that school had great loss and they had received no fees. In fact, this is not true. They are misusing their authority saying if any employee demands the salaries of previous months may be terminated. This is new start and those who want to continue should stay others are free to fly, if they want. Their attitude has dejected many. The people especially bread winners of their families find no alternative other than suicide. Their wounds ought to be cured. The relief could only be provided by government alone. The government needs to know the miseries faced by poor faction.
NARESH SAJLANI
Karachi
