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Journalism of Courage
As the Opposition leader, L K Advani may have the right to ask for resignations, but that doesn’t mean he should abuse that right indiscriminately. How else can he explain asking for the Union Home Minister’s resignation after the Ayodhya attack. It is important to consider the actual facts. Five terrorists tried to breach the sanctity of the temple premises but alert security guards felled them before they even came close to the sanctum sanctorum. So on what grounds are resignations being sought.
On his flight to London, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had a question for the media: why did those who are now seeking resignations not resign themselves when Parliament was attacked? And when religious sites like Akshardham and Jammu’s Raghunath temple were attacked?
Yet nobody thought it fit to resign at that time. Neither did anybody ask for resignations. Nobody called nationwide strikes either. Instead, all political parties rallied behind the then NDA government and collectively denounced terrorism. Immediately after the Parliament attack, the then Opposition leader, Sonia Gandhi, personally called up then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to enquire about his well-being rather than calling a press conference to attack the government. They did so because they realised that the nation was facing a crisis, and chose to put the country’s interests above the politics of the moment.
Terrorists prevail
The London blasts are the second warning to the civilised world after the 9/11 terrorist attacks four years back. Despite the fact that the city was expecting terrorist attacks, the success of the well-planned and coordinated bomb blasts has proved that terrorism is a force that is still unfettered. For years now, the US has been pursuing a major offensive against Al Qeeda. Yet, the same organisation is today being investigated for involvement in the London blasts. A group claiming affiliation to the Al Qaeda has already claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Regardless of whether Al Qaeda is actually involved or not, the world is justified in seeking answers to why even four years of sustained and coordinated efforts by the US and UK intelligence and military agencies have failed to root out the terrorist outfit. The US believes it knows where Al Qaeda’s core set-up is: on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan. Yet, it has been unable to send forces there. Now that Pakistan is being hailed as a US ally in the war against terror, why can’t the two countries launch a major military offensive and make a decisive strike?
Strong steel frame
Not so long ago, Indian steel companies were the toast of the industrial world. While the world market for steel was booming, the Indian companies emerged as the biggest beneficiaries, thanks to reformed management which led to cost-cutting while improving quality. However, the tables have turned with the build-up of excess capacities and subsequent dumping of excess steel by CIS countries into the world markets. Cheap steel from CIS countries has flooded the world, and even India is tempted to import it. Consequently, the steel industry worldwide is reeling under the impact with its inventories spiraling, and the situation is no different for Indian producers.
Developed countries are quick to protect their industry’s domestic market by imposing anti-dumping levies. It is high time the Indian government safeguarded its steel industry. Even the cut in import duties that might have been justified in the past should be revoked and duties be raised to the earlier level.
The writer is a Congress MP in the Rajya Sabha. Send him your feedback at shuklarajeevgmail.com.
