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| Appeal to Hon'ble speaker by Shri Chaman Lal Gupta BJP MLA | | | Sir,
I had raised a question during the last session of the state assembly seeking a reply from the government regarding the decision to stop government advertisements to the daily Early Times published from Jammu.
I had also spoken about the highhandedness of the government and its arbitrary, whimsical dispensation regarding distribution of official advertisements to the various newspapers published in the state.
Despite repeated requests, the state government did not come forward with any reply to my question and the result has been that through its decision to ignore my question the state government has covertly accepted that it does not have a reasonable answer to my question.
Hon'ble speaker, the state legislature is holding its session from 26 September in summer capital Srinagar. I want to appeal to you in your capacity as the custodian of democratic values and the holder of the high office that you pass a direction to the state government that my question be answered without any further delay during the forthcoming session of the state assembly.
Why is an answer to my question very essential? Sir, you have been always exercising your authority to uphold the constitutional sanctity of the august house and its overarching importance to preserve and protect the constitutional propriety and lawful authority of the legislative assembly. You will agree Sir that the fourth estate is an essential pillar of our democratic structure and the very edifice of democracy in the state would crumble unless the executive is made answerable to the legislature.
To refresh your memory Sir, I must say that the state government has unleashed a war of repression and browbeating against the fourth estate in the state. The treatment being meted out to Early Times is a glaring example of the blatant arrogance of the state government. Through the stoppage of government advertisements to the Early Times it has been the intention of the government to muzzle its voice and capacity to raise issues of public importance. Despite the financial embargo imposed on Early Times, this newspaper has been upholding the highest values of bold, fearless journalism and through its unconstitutional actions the state government has only been acknowledging the fact that Early Times represents the voice of the truly nationalistic and saner forces in the state.
Not only has there been open intimidation of the proprietor of this newspaper, but in order to choke the very financial artery of the newspaper, the state police has been let loose to threaten and destroy the financial base of the newspaper's owner.
Lawful financial activities of the proprietor are being impeded and undermined by threatening the staff of the business establishments owned by the proprietor. Uncalled for and vindictive police raids on business establishments belonging to the owner in Jammu city should be sufficient to convince you Sir that unless an immediate intervention is made, the very courage and responsible behaviour of those who write without fear or favour could become a casualty of the bullying muscle power of the state government.
The staff working at the business establishments of the proprietor of Early Times is being constantly and without fail threatened by the police not to discharge their lawful duties at these establishments.
I have been deeply impressed by the professional commitment of the newspaper which has been withstanding all pressures and pulls from the state government. Early Times has been continuing its campaign against corruption, nepotism, inefficiency and social evils. As an elected representative it my duty to bring these facts to your notice for if I do not bring these facts to your august attention, I would be failing in my own duty and oath of allegiance to protect the authority of the constitution and the law as established in the state.
Hon'ble speaker Sir, you have proved through your conduct that you brook no fear or favour while steadfastly discharging the duties to conduct the proceedings of the assembly. I sincerely hope Sir that you would not accept any excuses by the government in yet again delaying the reply to my question during the forthcoming session of the state assembly.
Chaman Lal Gupta
BJP MLA |
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