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India woke up?
The Indian election results, unexpected but widely hailed, show a country that seems to be waking up from an unfortunate slumber. The real surprise was that the BJP was not able to secure a majority on its own, winning only 240 seats compared to the 303 seats it won in the 2019 elections. The reliance on its coalition partners will make the Modi-led government a weak coalition that will have a lot of checks and balances. Congress itself has won 99 seats, meaning India will now have a strong opposition to challenge Modi’s hegemonic and authoritarian style of governance after a decade.
Many in India say that the recent election results represent a clear rebuke of Modi and the BJP’s divisive politics, particularly evident in Modi’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, which has heightened fear among the minority community. The unexpected loss of the Ajodhya seat, despite the BJP’s heavy reliance on anti-Muslim sentiment, serves as a wake-up call. These outcomes mark a significant departure from the BJP and Modi’s politics, characterized by targeting minorities, suppressing dissent, manipulating media narratives, favouring the corrupt elite, influencing the judiciary, and undermining the credibility of the Indian Election Commission. It signals a potential shift towards a more inclusive and transparent political landscape.
Many are hopeful now that there will be breathing space for the country’s minorities as well as critics of the Modi government. Congress leaders had led a campaign that focused on bringing India together with solidarity and not dividing it along the lines of hate. After a decade or more of an India that was not just not shining but falling into the lowest depths of communal hatred, the Indian voter seems to have said: Enough. The much vaunted ‘silent voter’ really did turn up it seems and spoke through the ballot, a powerful tool in a democratic system.
MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI
Lahore
Death to Israel
Death to Israel! Apparently this wholly sounds barbaric and inhumane, shedding aspersion on state and its civilians residing within its territory. But the ongoing massacre in Gaza by savages since Oct 7, 2023, has compelled Muslims around the globe to call for death to Israel. Recently, Gaza has been dubbed as the ‘Hell on Earth’, particularly after Rafah onslaught. The number of deaths in Gaza due to contemporary attacks since Oct 7, 2023, has proliferated to 36,050. Approximately 81,026 individuals recounted being severely wounded.
The Israel military and their shamefaced Prime Minister, Netanyahu, must recount the fundamental principles of war. Civilians are never set on target. Ruthlessly, Israeli military conducted airstrikes on a refuge camp positioned in Rafah, killing 50 Palestinians and leaving 200 injured. Some videos on internet went viral, splaying dread among viewers. Five decapitated babies had been found, their heads beheaded and bodies burnt. According to Al-Jazeera’s fact checking agency, the camp sheltering the civilians in Rafah’s Tal as-Sultan area was bombarded intentionally by 2000 weighing pounds weaponry.
All just happened, two days after the International Court of Justice ruled for Israel to cease its military offense in Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s population sought refuge, before the incursion, attacks ensued. Additionally, it is vividly apparent that Israel does not abide by the International Law, massacring sheer Gaza’s population, unsusceptibly bolstered by Uncle Sam. But it is significant and mandatory to conclude Ummah’s participatory role in rectifying the dilemma.
SAJID ALI NAICH
Khairpur Nathan Shah
Austerity measures
Recent endeavours to rejuvenate the national economy have sparked optimism, yet a significant reduction in government expenditures remains vital. The burden of accumulated heavy debts from past flawed policies continues to escalate, necessitating measures to curtail governmental spending. Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a long-term loan demand action to rein in expenditures.
Key points of the plan include the elimination of all vacancies from grades one to sixteen, withholding funds from the center to provinces for developmental projects, restrictions on the purchase of new vehicles for federal ministries, and the decision to refrain from establishing new universities. The federal government pledges to allocate resources solely for crucial national development projects while completing infrastructure projects under public-private partnerships.
Provincial governments are urged to manage finances for upcoming universities independently. Furthermore, considerations for a pension scheme for all newly recruited personnel, except defense and police, are underway.
GULAB UMID
Turbat
Box letter
Safety on Lyari Expressway
I am writing to bring to the immediate attention of National Highway Authority on the critical issue of inadequate lighting on the Lyari Expressway in Karachi. This lack of proper illumination, particularly on sharp turns, is posing a serious threat to the safety of commuters. Disturbingly, frequent car accidents are occurring on the Lyari Expressway, as highlighted in recent news publications. These incidents are strongly linked to the poor visibility caused by insufficient lighting, especially at night. To ensure the safety of motorists, I urge NHA to undertake the following measures: Install brighter lights along the entirety of Lyari Expressway and prioritize illuminating all turns and curves adequately. Significantly, by implementing these improvements, the NHA can enhance road safety on Lyari Expressway. Taking immediate action is crucial to prevent further accidents and safeguard the public.
FAZEELA AFZAL KHAN
Karachi
