PAK SCENARIO, AURANGEZEB EXHIBITION

AURANGZEB  EXHIBITION

The British divided the Hindus and Muslims in India. It seems that this tradition is being followed by foreigners like Mr. Francois Gautier whose Aurangzeb painting exhibition held at the Lalit Kala Akademy was closed by the police for reasons best known to it. Mr. Gautier's claim that the exhibition was artistic is false because he failed to highlight the emperor's contributions. One of them was granting 330 bighas of land for the Balaji temple at Chitrakoot. It is a temple town in Uttar Pradesh where Lord Rama spent more than 10 years. If Aurangzeb was a hated communal king, he would not have ruled India for 48 years. However, the undeniable fact is that he was an ambitious king doing everything necessary to safeguard his throne. He had the support of Hindus more than Muslims.  

Published in Deccan Chronicle dated 15 March 2008.

 

PAK SCENARIO

The oath taking ceremony of Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the absence of the PML(N), headed by Nawaz Sharif, and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, was lacklustre, President Pervez Musharraf administered the oath of office and promised to co-operate with the new government in the midst of Nawaz Sharif's rhetoric that they did not recognise him as the President. The indications are that a big struggle is in store for these political leaders. It appears that a secular and democratic system is yet to see a dawn in Pakistan.

Published in Deccan Chronicle dated 27 March 2008.

GREAT LOSS

Dr. Rafeeq Zakaria's passing away is a great loss to the country. He was a multi-faceted personality. His contribution's to the community and country as a freedom fighter, political leader, educationist and reformer are immense. He walked in the path of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (founder of the Aligarh Muslim University) to make the Muslim community realise the importance of modern education and established many educational institutions. He was also the author of many books in English and contributed articles to various dailies and periodicals. His invaluable comments on important and sensitive national issues were eagerly awaited. He was an Islamist in the real sense in working for camaraderie among different religious communities. Such a great personality is no more.

Published in Deccan Chronicle  dated 11 July 2005.

 

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