news details |
|
|
| BJP `awakes' to bat for press freedom in JK | | Persecuted for democracy | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 4: The belated `awakening' of Bharataya Janata Party (BJP) to save democracy in Jammu Kashmir has evoked critical response across the state. After witnessing persecution of the fourth estate silently for two years, the BJP spoke last evening urging the government to be discreet with media.
Welcoming the end of two-day stand off between the media fraternity and the legislative assembly speaker, the BJP state chief spokesperson and National Executive member, Dr. Jitendra Singh has appealed to the ruling coalition partners to be more discreet in dealing with the media persons particularly at a time when every other institution in Jammu and Kashmir has already suffered an erosion of credibility, leaving the media as the last saying grace for preserving the values of democracy, freedom and justice.
He denounced the tendency to take media for granted and described as most unfortunate the comments by certain high ups in the ruling polity that media persons could be wooed and taken in by hosting lunch, dinner and lavish parties. Those who believe or say so are in fact the enemies of democracy because press is one of the essential pillars on which the democracy stands, he added.
He said that the political class should not expect the media to serve as cover up tool for scams or corruption cases and instead try to keep their own record clean.
The BJP was accused of having a truck with the National Conference especially after some of its members resorted to cross voting during Legislative Council elections held early last year.
The story of systematic strangulation of the press in Jammu Kashmir at the hands of the government is known to all. The plight of the press in Jammu Kashmir can be gauged from the fact that three breach of privilege notices were issued to senior scribes during last year's budget session.
Some newspapers were victimized for their bold and fearless reporting. Early Times is one of them. Though placed by www.alexa.com and some other credible organizations at No 1 position in Jammu Kashmir in terms of web readership, government advertisements to the newspaper were stopped on November 26, 2010. No reasons were assigned.
It is to remind them(BJP) that they have been too late in raising their voice. Had they opened their mouths on time, democracy would not have been murdered brutally in this state.
The ordeal for ET began with the publication of a news item of an alleged attack on a temple at Anantnag. The report was based on official handout issued by Police Control Room (PCR) Srinagar. The same was carried by other publications also.
On the pretext of this news item, Early Times office and Press were sealed on July 1, 2010 vide order DCJ/camp/2010/001-03. No notice was served. After intense persecution at both personal and official level, printing and publication of the newspaper resumed vide govt. order no. DCJ/PA/2010-11/151-156 dated 06-07-2010. However, some days later, a criminal case was registered against us under section 505.
On September 18, 2010; police registered another case, for which Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor had to seek bail from the court. Management particularly Editor was frequently summoned to the Police station and treated like a criminal. Police forced Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor of the newspaper to give fingerprints on blank papers on November 21, 2010.BJP did not utter a word against these developments which were aimed at gagging the freedom of press.
The sordid tale did not end here. Police and officials of CID started surveillance of Editor's home. Two bars namely Royal Bar and Cannon Bar, both located in city's busiest trade centers and owned by the Early Times Chief Editor were seized without any formal government notice on December 2, 2010.
The Bars reopened after 21 days. A day after opening of the two bars, employees working in one of the two bars were picked-up by police on the basis of an FIR lodged by anonymous persons on December 24, 2010. When the owners sought details, the same were denied to them.
The employees were kept in illegal confinement for three days and then released on 27-12-2010. Around 45 Kannals of prime land owned by the editor, Bansi Lal Gupta were grabbed by goons. The police did not stop them. It takes decades to dispossess the intruders. Continued illegal possession of his land shall subject him to irreparable loss.It was the question of losing property alone. COntinued harssment was to the extent that it could have caused serious damage to the life of anyone in the management of the newspaper. The champios of demcocary did not utter a word not to speak of issuing any statement.
Forty one days after the unjustifiable and highly condemnable Royal Bar incident, two Canon Bar employees were again arrested in a fabricated case.
Hoever, despite suffering to this extent, Early Times has kept the high traditions of fair and fearless reporting alive. The `champions' of democracy need to come forward to join hands for a common cause. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
