Media mayhem
It is very sad to learn that such distinguished journalists have had to resign in such a manner (“Resignations of two journalists at ABP News cause disquiet in newsrooms and far beyond”). Shame on those sections of the media who have sold their souls or are the lapdogs of the government. This is a dangerous situation, a neo-dictatorship. I love Punya Prasun Bajpai’s Masterstroke. It is is a fantatic analytical programme. This is a black day for journalism. Bajpai, you are a fighter. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep up the good work. – Atul
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I’ve been a great admirer of all the leading, genuine journalists like Abhisar Sharma, Punya Prasun Joshi and others . I’m deeply hurt by the news of their departure from ABP News. Sirs , you are true social icons. – Pradip Dhengle
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As the article mentions, second week of July onward there was no proper signa at the time of Masterstroke. We had raised questions, but now it is of no use. Bajpai and Ravish Kumar are the two best Indian journalists who have performed their duty brilliantly. But the government does not like to hear the truth when it goes against them. Now India is left with mostly pro-BJP news channel. Anchors there are only hate mongers.
Where we have landed? In which period are we? Where is development? – Sanet Khandelwal
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This is a modern-day Emergency that people can’t see. There is a deliberate attempt of killing free speech. If this continues, the whole idea of democracy will be in danger. – Mohammed Atif Khan
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I am very proud of the channel that fears no one. Eminent journalists have had to resign, clearly in the face of immense pressure from the powers that be. It reflects the sorry state of our so-called democracy. Journalists have to make sure that those in power must resign, the sooner the better. – Kashinath Hazare
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All media has sold itself to political parties. They are no longer coming out with the truth and are manipulating the truth as per their convenience. – Bashishth Singh
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The time has come to raise our voice against media censorship. What happened to journalists at ABP news could happen to anyone who questions the government. People of this country should support independent media. Existing independent media organisations like should increase their reach. They have to change their image of being accessible only to a certain class. They have to reach the masses through various social media platforms and by establishing themselves in regional languages as well. – Prashant Srivastava
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Shame on the fourth pillar of Indian Democracy, the media, whose owners are bowing to the dictatorial edicts of the present dispensation at Centre. The media is not a business empire, it’s a sacred service that carries the responsibility of safeguarding democracy from its destroyers. If the only intention of these shameless owners of media houses is to amass wealth by kneeling down to government, then they are no different from unscrupulous businessmen. There are manu examples of staff members, including journalists, also acting as spokespersons of the government, thereby violating ethics and destroying the prestige of the media in India. – S Fathinathan
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The fact that the journalists have resigned is by no means proof that they were forced to do so. Leaving the battle in between is itself sufficient proof that the incumbents were not doing justice to society, nation or themselves. We should stand firm on the grounds of truth. – Manoj Pandita
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I used to be a follower of PP Bajpai back when he was at Aaj Tak. I tried not to miss a single episode of his DusTak, because I believed that he showed the reality of all politicians. But I stopped watching his show after December 2017. Not because he is against of BJP or Modi, but because I felt that he was trying to imply that everything bad happening in this country has taken place over the last three or four years only. If you are an honest journalist, you should show both sides of a coin. You cannot blame a single party or person for every incident. – Sujeet
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It’s the need of the hour to have journalists like the two who resigned from ABP News instead of succumbing to the pressure from those in power. It is people like them that could help the Indian media regain its lost credibility. – Rashid Ahmed Jafri
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This is nothing but harassment of TV channels or journalists who show the truth. The aggrieved parties should take legal recourse instead of resorting to arm twisting. The country is going from bad to worst and no drastic or radical improvements have taken place in the last four years. – Pirthi Chand
Press freedom
The media wants complete freedom. But what about paid news, fake news, sting operations, rampant bias and other such common practices (“ABP proprietor told me not to name Modi, I&B official said ‘anything can happen’, says PP Bajpai”)? What about allegations of corruption against some media persons? Who will take action. The government can’t, because the press wants freedom. There may be some organisation for lodging complaints, but that will be Leftist. Will you please tell us how many journalists or editors have been punished? It is ancient wisdom that if you want to oppose injustice, then you must be completely honest yourself. Before pointing fingers at others, clean up your own mess. – Govinda Rao
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This was a good move by the government. Such channels and anchors should be banned. Some of journalists think themselves to be too smart. – Sandeep Kumar Bhadra
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The government sending the wrong message to people. I support freedom of the press, no matter the party in power at the Centre or the state. – Manahar Bhesaniya
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This entire episode conveys the chilling message that the BJP has resorted to crude means to muzzle voices against their misdeeds. Is this the democracy that elected these people to power? All those who consider this incident a horrible violation of the freedom of the press must stand in solidarity with Bajpai. This cannot be tolerated. – A Bhowmik
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I read Bajpai’s sob story on how he has been made a scapegoat. But he is not an ethical journalist. His reporting could not be trusted. You talk about ratings, but nowadays the biggest TRP-earner for channels is Modi- and BJP-bashing. Let’s not make Bajpai a hero as he is not one. – Sam
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I’m very upset and worried about where the nation stands today. Democracy is being suppressed. It is matter of utmost concern. – Rahul Kumar
Kathua horror
As the author says, all social organisations like the Sangh Parivar as well as secular parties are to blame for the Kathua incident (“Who’s most guilty of the Kathua barbarity? Modi, Sangh Parivar, ‘secular parties’ – and all of us”). Or, probably, all societal attitudes are to blame. But then we are spreading the blame so thin that it has no effect on an individual’s conscience. What India needs is a leader like Gandhi, one who is not interested in power but in doing the right thing. Not many may remember that he halted the Satyagraha movement of the 1930s after the burning down a police station, killing several people, at Chauri Chaura. Nehru mentioned in his autobiography that he was not in favour of stopping a movement that was going so strong. But Gandhi persisted, for the sake of the policemen and others who had lost their lives. Modi, if he is real leader, should go to the parents of the eight-year-old who was killed and allegedly raped and ask for their forgiveness. – Kirtidev Bhatt
Number game
Is it surprising that most of this government’s economic policies till now are basically those that the UPA had proposed but the BJP had opposed (“How trustworthy is India’s economic data? Does the Modi government care about it anymore?”). Increased FDI caps and GST are two examples.
Demonetisation has cast a long shadow on the economy. Modi claims that his government had inherited a bad economy. Then why did it become worse over four years? Now, the chief minister of Rajasthan has indicated that lynching and other acts of mob violence are because of lack of jobs. – SN Iyer
Historical ties
This was a wonderful read. It was surprising to know that there was a small settlement in Indiana by the name Hindostana (“Hindostan was a prosperous part of Indiana in the 19th century. So why did it die suddenly?”). What piques curiosity is that Caleb Fellowes credited Hindustan for giving him a fortune through naming a place. But what I fail to understand is his reason to remain incognito. Blake Smith’s writing is not only an account of the historical occurrence but also an interesting record of what remained unknown to the public at large. This article helps an inquisitive mind draw historical links between India and other countries. Coincidences are drab and cliched, but when touched by history, what emerges is a formidable story. – Pushpanjana