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EXONERATIONS ON THE MEDIA: Arvind’s new battle with the forth estate opens new gate of debate

16/3/2014

Coming down fiercely: His allegations might prove to be self destructive ahead of the LS Polls | Image Courtesy- Indian Express archives

Over the years, allegation counter allegations and unprecedented moves has been Arvind’s daily cup of tea. And today, by exonerating the media of being indulged into corrupt practices, he is yet again strangled in controversy. The crux of Arvind-media battle started after news reports showed Arvind’s controversial remarks on the media during a fund-raising dinner on the 13th of March in Nagpur, Maharashtra. In which, he alleged the media of been paid hefty amount of money to promote BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and maintain his stature. As per words of Arvind, "Around 800 farmers have committed suicide in Gujarat in the past 10 years but none of the channels have showed it. Farmers have sold their land to Adani in just one rupee but even this has not been shown by any channel. Arvind has taken security, Arvind has not taken security, he has taken Z category and Y security. Let the security go to hell but they won't show Modi's truth. The whole media is sold this time, it's a big conspiracy, it is a huge political conspiracy." He went further and said that media should be put behind the bars and if his party is voted to power an enquiry would be initiated and these ‘mediawallas’ will be jailed.

This led to a large hue and cry with the media coming down fiercely on Arvind and the Aam Aadmi Party(AAP). Standing by Arvind’s statement and sticking up for their allegations, the AAP called for a presser the very next day which was addressed by AAP spokesperson Sanjay Singh; Lok Sabha candidate from Chandni Chowk, Ashutosh and New Delhi’s Lok Sabha candidate, Ashish Khetan. At the press meet, that continued to be chaotic, the AAP leaders further augmented the fire by coming up with names of news channels namely Zee News, Times Now, India News and India TV, which the AAP have not only accused of being sold out but also favoring Narendra Modi.

Arvind has been subjected to a huge criticism for his remarks that includes his political rivals, Congress, BJP and CPI. Whereas, few news channels came up with special broadcast condemning him and branding him as a liar.

Barely two years from today, ‘Arvind Kejriwal’, a name which today has become household bread-butter, didn’t have much entity. However, it was the August 2011 historic Jan-Lokpal fast by Anna Hazare at Delhi’s Ram Lila Maidan that changed the story. Arvind being the charioteer of Anna’s fast, along with an incessant and pioneering coverage by the media gave wings to Arvind. Though Arvind might have vied with sections of the media arena by his allegations, however it has yet again opened up gates of debate on issues like paid news, media self regulations among others.

It’s worthwhile to mention that these same news channels that Arvind mentioned of were under the purview of criticism due to their modus operandi during the Anna agitation. Chairman of Press Council of India, Justice Markendey Katju, introspecting the one sided inclination way of broadcasting had then said, “A large section of media lost its objectivity in covering the Anna Hazare movement”.

Certainly, media self regulation remains yet another hot topic of debate till date. Whatever we perceive, our actions and thoughts everything is perhaps influenced by the media. In a country like India, free press acts as a magic bullet. Any news broadcasted or printed by the media acts as a bullet for the audience. Before they can even think, the news engulfs and persuades the minds of the audience. Though, freedom of press confers the media with enormous power, but at the same time it further increases the responsibility of the media as well.

“I am saddened by Arvind Kejriwal's attacks on the media. I am doubly saddened because what is he is saying is not entirely wrong”, eminent media personality and writer, Pritish Nandy, stated over the social media minutes after Arvind’s accusations went viral.

Another talking point that Arvind’s allegations have opened up is paid news. Reacting to the Arvind’s controversy, another AAP leader and former journalist, Manish Sisodia said, "Some sections of media are paid to make news. Paid media is dangerous for country. What media says about Modi is biased. Questioning it isn't bad."

Paid news is pre dominantly a dangerous virus for the media industry. And to retain the free and immaculate stature of media, paid news must be dumped and eradicated.

Meanwhile, a day after BJP declared Modi to be contesting from Varanasi, raising the curtain over all speculations, Arvind Kejriwal too has declared to contest against Modi.

However, after Arvind Kejriwal’s recent standoff with the media, it would be interesting to find out, if his war with the forth estate, cuts off the nose to spite his face.

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“HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY”: Are we entitled to say this?

8/3/2014

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Image courtesy- cartoonmovement.com

Today being an off day I woke up bit late. After moving on with the daily chores, I logged in to the mailbox and sneaked into the social media arena. Thereon, I was awestruck to see the news feeds. Everywhere it was flooded with posts, write ups, posters calling to respect women. Every single person preached about women empowerment, dignity and veneration for the women folk.

I wondered what drastic change the country has undergone overnight. How this patriarchal society suddenly became advocates of feminism and called for the elevation of women’s stature. Why are the people who everyday shares news about lamenting and horrendous crimes like rape, molestation, acid attack, eve teasing, dowry killing, etc., today all of a sudden started blathering about entitling women with all her rights. Then I realized its International Women’s Day.

Speaking particular about India, along with the numerous new trends that have started, celebrating women’s day is yet another one. All throughout the day my cell phone beeped to innumerable messages inviting for various programs and campaigns initiated on the occasion of women’s day.

However, two of the million dollar questions that pop up are. India, a country where woman is given the utmost importance. A country which in itself termed as Bharat mata. A country where women is personified as Goddesses and worshipped. As citizens of such a country, do we really need any such special day to show our solidarity and respect for women?

The second aspect is a question that we need to ask ourselves and introspect. Are we really entitled to say, ‘happy women’s day’??

How can we say happy women’s day, when a young girl named Irom Sharmila, walked all through her life for a cause? And, is on her death bed today fasting for 12 long years demanding repeal of AFSPA. Yet, her voice still remains unheard.

We live in a country where women are burnt alive in the name of dowry and domestic violence. However, despite the law calling for stringent punishment, nobody to care for. A country where girls are safe, neither inside their mother’s womb, nor in the exterior world. It’s a country where even under the canopy of the forth estate and the most powerful, ‘the media’, a girl has to be a victim of abhorrent crimes like sexual violence at work place. So, are women really happy?

How to forget one of the heinous and horrendous Nirbhaya incident that shattered every conscious Indian. And also to mention about tons of other rape cases and that of sexual violence, where even our so called protector ‘the police’ is adamant to act. Things doesn’t end here, but they get more petrifying when educated people, indeed girls come up with absurd and ridiculous suggestions, like laying down a time frame for the girls to be out of their abode in order to avoid rape and other crimes.

It’s is a country where in the name of religion young talented girls are issued fatwa just for performing and forming rock bands. It’s a country where top notch bollywood celebrities when raise their voice against rape and sexual assault through television shows, they start getting threat calls!!

This again brings us to the question, are we really accredited to say, ‘happy women’s day’?

Nevertheless, in the midst of hopelessness, the country has also given us winners and conquerors like M C Marry Kom, Kiran Bedi, Kalpana Chawla, Medha Patkar also Irom Sharmila and the likes of all who have strived and succeeded in flying our tri-color high.

It would perhaps be wrong to judge any individual as good or bad. There’s nobody to fix the blame on. The problem lies in the society of which we are all a part. It's the problem of a society, which is reflected by an individual. Society forms by collective efforts. So, for deeds of an individual, somewhere somehow we too are also responsible. We need to strive towards creating a country where we do not need any special day for women to be happy; rather each day should be ‘happy women’s day’

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ABLAZED ON THE STREETS: Dissecting the self immolation episode, Akhil Gogoi’s arrest, and the leader and leadership as KMSS lands up in fresh controversies.

4/3/2014

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File picture of Akhil Gogoi addressing a press meet

Controversies and Akhil Gogoi seems to go hand in hand. As the February 24 mass agitation organized by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samity(KMSS), Gogoi’s principal organization, was witness to yet another unprecedented and bizarre happening.

Pranab Bodo, 45, a protester who was taking part in that demonstration demanding land deeds, set himself ablaze in front of the Assam Secretariat. Though he was immediately rushed to the Guwahati Medical College Hospital, however Bodo, who sustained hundred percent burn injuries, expired in the same evening.

Pertaining to which on the wee hours of February 3rd, he was arrested by an armed police team from his Nizarapar, Chandmari residence and later on sentenced to a four days judicial custody. He has been grilled under sections 306 and 102(A), which are non bailable.

The fountainhead of the protest was when the Assam Cabinet recently approved giving land settlement to families residing on government land till January 28, 2001. However, the state government refused to give land settlement to anybody living on forest and wetlands. The KMSS disagreed and said the government should give settlement to those who have been dwelling on these lands till December 13, 2005. To press their demands, they decide to take shelter of mass rally and march to the Assam Secretariat and had called for a state wide agitation. But, pertaining to the shocking and despairing incident of Pranab Bodo, the KMSS immediately called off their protest.

This is not the very first time Akhil Gogoi led KMSS’s rally has proved to be malicious and chaotic. Perhaps one would always remember how the June 22nd, 2011 peaceful rally of land agitators led by KMSS turned violent. Further, classes between security forces and protesters claimed three innocent souls including a child, for which Akhil Gogoi was also put behind the bars.

The recent self immolation episode too has strangled Akhil Gogoi, the government as well the security forces under severe criticism.

While the deceased wife, Purnima Boro wife has filed an FIR at Dispur Police station against CM Tarun Gogoi and Revenue Minister Prithivi Majhi, things are also not going right for Akhil, since stacks of cases has also been registered against him as well. Freelance journalist Pranabjit Doloi has lodged an FIR against Akhil Gogoi, alleging he had been inciting the common people and that resulted in the tragic death of Pranab Bodo. The Guwahati Mati Pattakaran Sangram Samity has also demanded the arrest of Akhil Gogoi, accusing him of instigating the self-immolation by Pranab Boro. Further, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi said in a press conference that, an enquiry is already under process and stringent actions would be taken against Akhil Gogoi.

The lamentable incident of Bodo’s death perhaps put Akhil Gogoi’s leadership under close scrutiny. Being, the chief patron of such a huge organization like KMSS, the responsibility to evade any violence and deleterious situation certainly lies with him. One of the important qualities of a leader is always to think three steps ahead and working to master his/her own environment with the goal of avoiding problems before they arise. Thus the disheartening incident of Pranab Bodo, further questions Akhil’s level of maturity as a leader. The call of the hour is certainly that, the peasant leader now has to re-structure his strategy and give a second thought his course of action.

Secondly, the role of the security forces and police is also condemnable. As per reports carried out by local news channels, from the morning hours itself the police was arranging large quantities of bamboo canes. Also the city dwellers being harassed by the police for checking seemed like the administration and the government was settling personal scores with KMSS. So, it would perhaps not be wrong to say that, these steps proved to be provocative.

As per words of Akhil Gogoi, the government and security forces are solely responsible for this fatal incident. As unable to bear the sight of Pranab Bodo’s wife manhandled by male police personnel, Bodo decided to end his life.

A man ablazing himself in front of the Assam Secretariat in presence of a prodigious security blanket points the needle of dubiety towards the government, security and administration.

Be it on social media or on records, the chief minister of Assam has also been subjected to severe criticism, terming him rigid and fascist in nature.

“There is no justification for Akhil’s demands. His demand is that the people living on forest land and water bodies be given land deeds. How can that be done?” said Mr. Gogoi said.

“They are encroachers and I cannot go against the interest of environment and the people”, added the chief minister, while speaking to reporters.

Assam Tai Ahom Students' Union (AATASU), Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti (MASS), All Assam Students Union(AASU) and various other organizations from nook and corner of the state have condemned the incident and criticized the government for its negligence.

It’s worthwhile to mention that Akhil Gogoi and KMSS, as well as the chief minister, have promised to bear every responsibility of Bodo’s family. The chief minister stated that the government would rehabilitate the family of Bodo by providing a job to one of his kin.

However, amidst the hullabaloos of criticism, blame game, clarification and puddling politics, the crux of the matter is that a common man, who perhaps didn’t even understand the political machiavellianism, had been the scapegoat.

National RTI awardee and CNN Indian of the year, Mr. Akhil Gogoi, may have been succeeded in winning multitudinous hearts and made the voices of the people heard, be it by clogging the streets or with anti-government slogans. But, this recent incident has assuredly opened up new gates of thought regarding his strategy, maturity, policy and way of handling situations.

No unauthorized publication or use of any content allowed without prior permission | All rights reserved by the author | Feel free to Share via buttons displayed on the left side

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

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EXONERATIONS ON THE MEDIA: Arvind’s new battle with the forth estate opens new gate of debate

“HAPPY WOMEN’S DAY”: Are we entitled to say this?

ABLAZED ON THE STREETS: Dissecting the self immolation episode, Akhil Gogoi’s arrest, and the leader and leadership as KMSS lands up in fresh controversies.

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