BETWEEN THE LINES
71 years on, frosty relations continue
It was August 12, 1947, three days before India became free. My father, a practicing doctor, summoned us, the three brothers, and asked what our plans were. I told him that I wanted to stay in Pakistan just as the Muslims would in India.
Lynching to nowhere
More gruesome details about the Alwar lynching have come to light. Rakbar Khan, the victim, could have been saved if the police had acted in time. In fact, the force stopped for tea and wasted three and a half hours in reaching the victim to the hospital. He bled to death. If one were to put all the pieces together, one would come to the conclusion that the police delay was deliberate.
Can Imran Khan be the man of the people?
The army in Pakistan seems to have devised a way where a particular person is elected even without a valid cause. Imran Khan is a product of such phenomena. Long before the latest elections, his name was tossed around.
Dangers to secularism
I recall after the Independence, politician and diplomat Syed Shahabuddin articulated the Muslim point of view. He did not ask for separation but suggested a self-rule for Muslims within the country. Nobody took him seriously, not even the Muslims because the partition had brought misery to both the communities.
Rift in India-US relations
An autocrat can really unhinge a democratic system. This is what President Donald Trump is doing. But he is also turning into an imperialist power.
A modicum of truth
I feel honoured that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken notice of my criticism. Indeed, he praised me and said: “I respect veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar ji, he fought for freedom during emergency, he maybe a harsh critic of us but I salute him for this.” The prime minister and I are on the same page when it comes to the criticism of the emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister.
An apology overdue
Certain dates are so important in a nation's history that they cannot be forgotten.
A false step
Pranab Mukherjee is a man of all-political affiliations. He has occupied the highest position as a Congressman and has also floated a political party with a few of his associates in the Congress. But one can call him a self-made man in the political arena. He has accepted the invitation to visit the RSS headquarters at Nagpur to address the cadre.
Farooq should quit Rajya Sabha
Is Farooq confident that what the Hurriyat is preaching is in the interest of the people in Kashmir, much less India? Has he ever weighed the repercussion of the valley's separation from the rest of country?
Congress losing out to BJP
I wish I could agree with Congress president Sonia Gandhi that compassion was the distinctive character of her mother-in-law, Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
New Dawn in Pakistan
The Dawn example should give heart to the media in the rest of the subcontinent. The freedom of the press is inviolable in a democratic setup. It cannot be compromised in any circumstances.
Make names public
The debate over demonetisation of currency reveals that real estate dealers have transacted business only to the extent of five percent cash and 9 percent promise. The gap is huge but it reflects the honesty and understanding of both sides.
America turns right
Widespread anger at the federal government is another key factor that helps explain Trump's support. Trump generally receives a lot of support because he is an outsider who is not a politician.
Return to classrooms
Another school has been burnt down in the Valley. This is the 25th in the last two months. What it conveys is that those who are fighting for separation from India are not interested in education.
The curse of triple talaaq
The Radiance is a weekly journal of the Jamaat-e-Islamia, a fundamentalist organisation.
It's a Mandir again
It is a Mandir again. The controversy over it comes to life whenever there are elections. The Babri Masjid was demolished in December, 1992.
Misplaced blame game
PAKISTAN'S National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz has said that there is no room for improvement in relations between India and
Relevance of surgical strikes
I was against surgical strikes because I thought they would escalate matters and probably go to a point of no return. But now that the strikes have been made, I back the government. I am reminded of George Bernard Shah, eminent literary personality, who said that he was the worst critic of the British government but since it was in the midst of war, he supported it.