Indian media comment on security after terror strikes

New Delhi: The last fortnight, it was high drama in New Delhi. And as the situation was cooling, terrorist strikes in Bangalore and Ahmedabad triggered a wave of panic in the nation.

More than 50 people died in the series of explosions and several bombs were defused in Surat. The editorials that were earlier criticising the ways of winning the trust vote, are now lambasting the security agencies incapable of protecting the lives of the citizens.

The nuclear deal complicated Indian politics when the Left parties withdrew support to the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's insistence on going ahead with the deal led to a perilous situation about the continuation of the government at the Centre.

It had to somehow muster a majority in seven days to survive the vote of confidence. And as they say in political parlance, "a week is a long time", the government managed to win with a convincing margin.

But three Bharatiya Janata Party MPs unfolded a new scene by openly unloading bundles of hard cash on the table of the House. The money, which they alleged was paid to them to buy their support not only sullied the image of the party in power, but was also termed as eternal shame for India's parliamentary democracy.

Commenting on the state of political affairs, The Hindustan Times asked, "Should we really be so shocked and horrified by what was on display?" It added, "What is needed if the nation hopes to come to terms with this body blow to India's parliamentary democracy is an inquiry into the allegations."

Even as Mail Today's headline read "Singh Nukes Opposition", it stated, "What is disturbing about the present case [the allegations] is that it has been made against a government led by a man, Dr Manmohan Singh, who has a sterling reputation for honesty."

The media laid the onus on the UPA government to come clean on the issue. And once the dust settles, to get on with the business of governance.

Referring to the signs of economic slowdown, The Times of India said, "There are pressing tasks ahead for the government. Tackling inflation has to be the highest priority. The country can't afford to be rudderless at this time."

Blasts shatter peace

That terrorism has become a fact of life in India was made clear once again with serial bomb blasts in Bangalore and Ahmedabad on two consecutive days, July 25 and 26.

Criticising the safety measures, The Asian Age wrote, "Our internal security establishment is well below par. Accusing the authorities of underplaying the Bangalore blasts, it added, "Only when Ahmedabad was shaken up the following day was the sobering thought entertained that the assaults on Friday and Saturday were elements of a common design."

Questioning what the Union government meant when it said warnings were available, The Indian Express probed, "Is it the case that the Centre's, or specifically the home ministry's radars are always buzzing efficiently with actionable information that is not acted upon by inefficient state governments? If so, why doesn't the Centre say it straight? They have a duty to the nation to say it."

Unlike earlier, when Delhi and Mumbai were the prime terrorist targets, attacks have of late taken place in other cities, including Jaipur in Rajasthan. "There could be an economic angle to the attacks," The Times of India stated.

It simplified, "While the target of the Jaipur attacks could have been tourism, Bangalore is nicknamed the world's back office. Attacks on Bangalore or Hyderabad could be designed to keep foreign multinationals away from India and hurt the economy. It's time we wake up to the fact that having a world-class economy will require putting in place world-class security as well."

Trashing the security agencies approach that terrorists have become smart, Mint said, "This is no argument. What prevents the police from getting smarter?