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| Bearing the brunt for speaking out! | | >>Intolerance: Early Times copies set afire in Srinagar | | EARLY TIMES REPORTER
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, JULY 3
In a reflection of intolerance to the free expression of views, the copies of EARLY TIMES newspaper were today consigned to fire following a protest demonstration in the summer capital Srinagar.
The unfortunate incident threatening the freedom of expression took place in the heart of Srinagar City as some people took offence to an analytical report carried by this newspaper.
The EARLY TIMES in its August 3 edition had made a brief analysis of the trial of film star Sanjay Dutt and a former militant Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitta Karate. Bitta Karate being tried for attempt to murder and destroying evidence was acquitted by the designated court the same day when Sanjay Dutt was released. Thus the story was a comment on the conduct of prosecution and not on the individual character of any person, even though the society is aware of all the facts.
As soon as the copies of today's edition of EARLY TIMES hit the news stands in Srinagar this morning that some people took offence to the analysis. They organised a protest and the copies were set on fire near Press Enclave around the Regal Chowk area. They shouted slogans against the newspaper and its editors. The protestors also warned the newspaper to avoid carrying such stories in the future.
The EARLY TIMES describes this incident as a direct attack on the freedom of expression and calls upon the civil society to stand up for protection of this fundamental right. They said that there was absolutely nothing in the story on which anyone could have taken an offence and therefore action of those people set on fire the newspaper speaks of intolerance.
The EARLY TIMES maintains that its editorial policy is based on a high respect to the public sentiments of all hues and it believes that burning of the newspaper copies is not an appropriate manner to lodge a protest, if there is any.
An appeal has been made to the Chief Minister Sh Ghulam Nabi Azad and Director General of Police Sh Kuldeep Khoda to take cognizance of the matter and assure the media fraternity protection from such elements.
Meanwhile, the media fraternity has condemned the incident and requested the government to see that such incidents are not repeated in future
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