The Pahalgam Attack: A Call for Unity and Justice
The terrorist attack on tourists at the Baisaran meadow in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam has sparked outrage across the nation. Urdu dailies have highlighted the growing support for bipartisan politics and unity in the wake of the tragedy, as well as the demand for bringing the perpetrators and their cross-border patrons to justice.
The editorial in the April 26 issue of the Salar, a Bengaluru-based daily, titled "Aar paar ki tayyari" (preparations for the decisive battle), points out that Pakistan has been rattled by India’s full-scale diplomatic crackdown after the Pahalgam attack. The editorial notes that Pakistan has been involved in orchestrating terror attacks in India for a long time, citing measures taken by the Modi government, including demonetisation in 2016, the bombing of a terror base in Pakistan after the Pulwama attack in February 2019, and the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The editorial also highlights that Pakistan has moved to close its airspace to all Indian airliners and put all bilateral agreements with India, including the Shimla Agreement, in abeyance. The Salar editorial notes that the Pahalgam attack reflects a desperate terror agenda that did not spare even tourists seeking to spend pleasant moments with their families in a picturesque meadow. The editorial states that the attack also sought to devastate a resurgent Kashmir economy that critically depends on tourism.
The Siasat, a Hyderabad-based daily, writes that the entire country is gripped by anger and grief following the Pahalgam attack. The editorial notes that all sections of the nation have taken to streets to hold protests against the perpetrators and conspirators of the Pahalgam attack. The Modi government has held an all-party meeting to share its assessment of the attack with the leaders of the parties to forge a political consensus on the issue. The Opposition has given its full support to the government in whatever actions it may take.
The editorial points out that the survivors of the Pahalgam attack, including the relatives of the slain tourists and the injured, have thanked and lauded the courage, compassion, and hospitality of the Kashmiri people, including local residents, tour guides, and pony wallahs, for protecting their lives, even at the risk of their own, and sheltering them. Amidst such a crisis, the entire country is witnessing a positive atmosphere of unity, which must be acknowledged and encouraged. However, even in these difficult times, some quarters seem to be bent on driving a wedge between the communities on religious lines, making unholy attempts to disrupt the rising spirit of our brotherhood and solidarity. This is extremely unfortunate. Such forces must be exposed, isolated, and curbed. Their attempts must be thwarted as they are damaging the unity and harmony of the country for their narrow political dividends.
A section of the media is also cynically fuelling this polarising play on the Hindu-Muslim line, the editorial says, adding that such elements always try to vitiate the atmosphere for their petty gains. The Pahalgam attack is a crime against humanity. All sections are unitedly rallying against it. People at large could also see through the divisive game plan of communal forces. This is a positive sign emerging in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy, the edit notes. No one should be allowed to create communal discord in the country. We must maintain our national unity at any cost, which is also imperative for foiling the evil designs of our external enemies.
The Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, a multi-edition daily, refers to the current agitation of the teachers and non-teaching staff of state schools in West Bengal, who lost their jobs in the wake of a recent verdict by the Supreme Court. The editorial says that the crisis has snowballed due to alleged corruption, negligence, and dubious policies of the ruling dispensation for years. The editorial notes that the entire scandal has shaken public trust in the state’s school system while putting the teachers under a cloud. The protesters are justified in demanding that the lists of tainted and untainted candidates should be transparently compiled and released. The TMC government has pledged its support for the sacked teachers and Group C and Group D non-teaching staff, but its credibility has taken a severe beating. This is not a temporary row but points to a larger crisis afflicting the state’s education sector. If the government is serious about the future of the students, it will have to ensure that merit, probity, and transparency remain the pillars of the state’s education system.
Reference : https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/pahalgam-pakistan-urdu-press-opposition-terror-attack-justice-9972281/
