Osama Bin Laden Killed: Future Prospects

The world was shocked when United States President Barack Obama announced that Al-Qa'ida's top leader Osama Bin Laden was killed. Al-Qa'ida's leader who was born in Saudi Arabia and lived in hiding was reported to be killed in a special operation by the Unites States military at a house in Abbotabad near Islamabad, Pakistan.
News of Bin Laden's death was greatly welcomed by the United States and its allies. Such reaction may be different from those who sympathize with Bin Laden's cause.
Believed To Be Mastermind Behind 9/11
Bin Laden is believed to be the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks against the United States that lead to Wshington's invasion of Afghanistan as the Taliban regime was beleived to be sheltering the Al-Qa'ida leader.
For a long time the United States lead the operation to hunt for Bin Laden but failed to track him down. If it is true that Bin Laden was successfully killed, would his death be enough to bring back peace to the world?
World Reactions
The entire world media turned their attention to the news of the death of Usama Bin Laden after it was announced by US President Barack Obama. British Prime Minister David Cameroon said that the death of Usama would bring peace in the entire world. Former US President George W. Bush said that justice was done by the death of Bin Laden.
Former US President Bill Clinton said that the death of Bin Laden was news of peace and security for the entire world. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is hopeful that the death of Bin Laden will bring about a more peaceful, safe and just world.
People's Expectations
Similarly, Muslims are also hopeful that a world free of terrorism will become a reality. Most important of all, as stated by many people across the world, is that Bin Laden's death will help restore the good name of Islam that was tainted by the negative image brought on by the al-Qa'idah leader. Since the September 11 tragedy we have witnessed violence and suicide bomb attacks at tourist attractions in the West that have become targets for Al-Qa'ida.
Each time violence is carried out by loyal followers of Bin Laden, the name of Islam is tarnished. Islam is viewed as a religion that endorses violence, despite the fact that it does not.
Future Prospects
Although reports have said that Bin Laden is dead, his absence is no guarantee that terrorism has ended. Peace and destruction of this world is not in the hands of Bin Laden whom was made a scapegoat during the era of former United States President George W. Bush.
This is the greatest concern of all. Will the world witness peace, or a new series of terror attacks as part of a retaliation from supporters of Bin Laden and Al-Qa'ida? We have seen many times that the use of military action to counter the threat posed by terrorists have failed to reduce activities related to terrorism.
We have to look at the root cause of terrorism from various surrounding aspects such as injustice, poverty, and economic disparity.
Nevertheless all parties should remain calm in the wake of Bin Laden's death. This is the time for the global community to erase their misperception and misunderstanding toward Islam and terrorism. The world must stand united against terrorism.

Air India Strike: Situation Worsens

Despite the hard attitude adopted by Delhi High Court against the pilots' strike in Air India and the direction given by it to the pilots to resume duty, the dispute continues to defy a solution. The situation has come to such a head that despite the threat of losing their jobs and contempt of court proceedings, pilots appear to be adamant to hold on to their stand. The Air India administration has hinted a lock out in the organization.
Sixth Pay Commission Recommendations
It may be pertinent to note that while hearing the case pertaining to the strike in Air India by its pilots, the court had directed the pilots to return to their duties in public interest. Pilots are demanding the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. Interestingly, pilots had served notice of strike on the administration way back on 24 February, but the Air India administration failed to find out an amicable solution to the issue. Several rounds of talks between the parties concerned also proved futile and in the end, pilots went on strike. Air passengers are a harassed lot because of the strike by about eight hundred pilots.
Seeking to derive undue benefit out of the Air India strike, private airlines have unilaterally hiked their fare manifold. On the other hand, the Air India administration declared the strike illegal and, thereby, further provoked the pilots. It also withdrew recognition granted to the Indian Commercial Pilots Association, which played an important role in the strike.
As a matter of fact, the adamancy of pilots coupled with the weak stand and attitude of the Air India administration, and the dictatorial attitude of the chief managing director of Air India Arvind Yadav, are largely responsible for the situation. That is why when the case came up for hearing in Delhi High Court, the court directed the pilots to return to their duties immediately and also admonished the administration for its failure to implement the agreement it had reached with the pilots in 2009.
Demands of Employees
The fact remains that the Air India administration or the government have never displayed any liberal attitude to the just demands of employees, nor it showed any courage to hold on to its decision despite its harsh attitude which was displayed initially when the strike began. It remains a fact that whenever there was a strike in the Air India, the administration took strong measures to dismiss the striking pilots, but it never implemented its own decision. It was compelled to withdraw the decision of dismissal of pilots following the discussions and talks with the striking pilots. That is why pilots are adamant despite dismissal of some of their colleagues and the threat of contempt of court proceedings looming large on them. Without caring for any punitive action pilots are continuing their strike for which none other but the very attitude of the Air India is responsible.
Had the administration implemented the 2009 Agreement, there would have been no strike, nor it would have to bear the admonishment by the high court. It is the outcome of the irresponsible attitude of the administration that pilots have mustered such great courage that they are not prepared to hear to anything from the administration, and are defying court direction too. By ignoring the larger public interest, pilots in their own vested interest, are causing a loss of millions of rupees to the government and the country and simultaneously, adding to the sufferings of air passengers.
Resolution to Issue
Under the circumstances, the reported intention of the Air India management to declare a partial lock out does not augur well. It would be futile to expect any fruitful outcome of it. In fact, it may further deteriorate the situation. If the government does want to take a decision, it should decide to remove the present CMD Arvind Jadhav who continues to be in the eye of the storm because of his way of functioning. At present, going by the stage of the strike one can only surmise that instead of a resolution to the issue, the situation is worsening with each passing day.

Communal Violence Bill

Social worker Anna Hazare's struggle against corruption and scams was applauded by one and all. Muslims also supported the cause as every citizen has been suffocating with the corrosive decease. However, Muslims hope Anna could raise his voice about another poison communalism. Quite often this disease is internal but at times it comes from outside. Internally, our compatriots behave with discrimination and treats Muslims brethren suspicious.
Victim of Discrimination
The British for their vested interests had sowed the seeds of hatred and division between Hindus and Muslims which got deep rooted and is still prevalent. Being Muslim, they do not get employment in government and private sectors; they don't get flats in housing societies. When four men are talking and fifth man as Muslim come, they stop talking. Muslims become the victim of discrimination at all levels, as a result of which they feel suffocated.
Jawaharlal Nehru was the last secular prime minister who left most of the jobs incomplete. Communalism is a big problem, it devastates lives and properties, but the same frenzy subsides after a few days. The dream of minority and majority living together in consonance must come true.
Salient Feature
Showing concern on this sensitive issue, Congress President Sonia Gandhi has come out to move the communal and targeted the violence bill. The object of this bill is to provide protections to religious and lingual minorities, backward classes and tribal people. A National Authority will come to existence through the bill. The salient feature of the bill is the provisions of five-year imprisonment to police officers who fail to curb communal violence. The bill provides compensations of Rs.1.5 million to the next of kin of the deceased.
Harsh Mander, member of National Advisory Council, says that like the Right To Information Act, government officials will be accountable for the lapse. The Communal Violence Bill has been hanging since 2005. After the formation of the National Advisory Council, all aspects of the bill were discussed. Now the text of the bill will be presented before the prime minister. It will be a big day when Sonia Gandhi's vision will come to its practical shape and will emancipate the country from this execrable enormity.