THE action of the Election Commission against some unacceptable campaign practices by the leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal should answer directly the barbed criticism by Trinamool Congress leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee. These actions prove that the Election Commission has conducted its work in the most professional manner -- without the influence of any element, as being alleged by Ms. Banerjee. There may have been some aberration over the years by the Election Commission since its inception seventy-plus years ago. But the overall conduct of the apex organiser of the election process has been praiseworthy -- internally and internationally. The Election Commission has proved its credibility beyond doubt on countless occasions. It has really not allowed anybody a chance to accuse it of dishonesty or partisan conduct of its business. It is unfortunate, however, that some elements in the political, like Ms. Mamata Banerjee, often overlook the virtue in the system and accuse it of manipulation. That is uncalled for as the EC’s integrity has been proved time and again.

 

 

 

 

THE violent clashes between Police and Islamist groups in Pakistan bring to fore a stark reality of not just the failure of the administration in that country, but also of the so-called two-nation theory that divided India on the basis of religion. The belief of the founders of Pakistan that Islam was the cementing force, has long been busted. That was proved beyond doubt when East Pakistan opted out and became Bangladesh fifty years ago. In other parts of the world, too, many Islamic countries are known to be engaged in diabolical hostilities, disproving the claim that religion is a cementing force. In Pakistan, for the past so many years, Islamist groups are often know to clash with the Police. The country has also seen countless communal outbreaks on part of Islamist groups even though Islam is Pakistan’s official religion. If the rulers in Pakistan understand this reality correctly, they would be able to find an effective answer to the problem of internal disquiet. Unfortunately, however, they have often overlooked reality in the most obstinate manner. But then, that appears to be the fate of Pakistan on the policy front, both internally and externally. And no other country can do anything.