The conflict between the NATO alliance, led by the United States, and the Warsaw Pact, headed by the Soviet Union, has by and large been discussed in ideological, economic, political and military terms. It had seldom been debated in religious and cultural, that is, civilizational terms. This nature of the … Read More
The Union government has once again demonstrated its willingness to accommodate the Akalis. The issue this time was the siege of three gurdwaras in Moga. It has lifted the siege following telephonic discussions between Sant Longowal and the Union minister for parliamentary affairs, Mr. Buta Singh. The Akalis, on their … Read More
The controversy between the editor of The Observer, London, and its proprietor has been settled. The proprietor, Mr. Tiny Rowland, has expressed confidence in the editor, Mr. Trelford; he has not only ended the threat to withdraw advertisements of his companies from the paper but promised to step up financial … Read More
President Reagan went to China bearing gifts in the fond hope that the Chinese leaders will be duly impressed and influenced. They cast him in a different role, though not quite – the role of a tributary bearing tribute. This is typical of the Chinese. They are past masters in … Read More
No additional comment is necessary on Mr. Rajiv Gandhi’s brief visit to Chandigarh. We said on the eve of the trip that it was not likely to serve the intended purpose. We adhere to this view and the related one which is that political activity in Punjab cannot be resumed … Read More
There must be a lot of muddle-headedness in high places in New Delhi if Mr. Rajiv Gandhi, and possibly Mrs. Gandhi herself, sincerely believe that a day’s visit by him to Chandigarh can help remove the fear psychosis that grips Congressmen in Punjab. It will do nothing of the kind. … Read More
It is tempting to dismiss the forthcoming visit of the US Vice President, Mr. Bush, to New Delhi as a consolation prize in view of President Reagan’s trip to China. But it will be patently wrong to do so. We are not in competition with the Chinese for the friendship … Read More
While the Akali extremists continue to kill, burn and loot at will in Punjab, three significant developments have taken place. First, the intra-Akali conflict has sharpened to a point where the supporters of one faction are murdering those of the other within and around the Golden Temple complex and special … Read More
Despite the crackdown in Punjab on Monday, two headlines in that day’s issue of this newspaper – “37 rail stations set on fire in Punjab” and “Adik rules out resignation – and similar ones in the same day’s issue of other contemporaries sum up the political scene in the country … Read More
It is possible to sympathise with the so-called National Democratic Alliance. Its constituents – the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Lok Dal – face not one but two cruel dilemmas. First their leaders have not been in agreement on how to respond to the Akali challenge in Punjab. While Chaudhri … Read More
