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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao drew flak from rival parties over his remark that he would "bury" the media "10km under the earth" if it "insults" his state even as journalists protesting against the blocking of two TV news channels were taken into preventive custody outside Raj Bhavan. While opposition BJP condemned the "undemocratic" language used by Rao at a function Tuesday (Sept 9) in Warangal, the Congress said the chief minister had "no clue about governance" and reminded him of the duty to safeguard media freedom. However, Rao's daughter and Telangana Rashtra Samithi MP K Kavita said the chief minister's comments about the media should not be seen in isolation as the TV channels which have been blocked were "demeaning the legislative system of Telangana". "In Warangal, he (Rao) used undemocratic language. No chief minister can use this type of language. BJP condemns KCR's statement. There is democracy and a system in this country. Nobody can take law and order into their hands. KCR is threatening the media, he is attacking mediapersons. "The situation in the media is tense. He is threatening reporters and media managements. 'If you don't support TRS, we will see your end, we will close your channels, we will close your media', He is doing that," Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy said. Reddy said he would take up the matter with Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar when he visits the state on Wednesday (Sept 10). "If anybody tries to denigrate or hurt the self-respect of Telangana, Telangana Assembly, Telangana culture, we will break their necks. Be careful. Beware or else we will bury you 10km (under the earth)," KCR had said. "We will not allow media to play games. If you do more, you will face more. I am telling you as the chief minister; if you want to stay and live here, salute us and stay. Respect our Telangana people and stay here," he had said. KCR's statement follows the blocking by the Association of Telangana Multiple System Operators (cable TV operators) of the transmission of TV channels ABN Andhra Jyothi and TV9 since June 16, alleging that they had aired programmes "denigrating the Telangana dialect, sentiment and hurting the feelings" of the people of the state. Rao's comments drew a sharp reaction from senior Congress leader and former Union minister Renuka Chowdhury, who charged that the chief minister "has a false sense of grandeur and no clue about governance". "The media is supposed to be the watchdog of democracy and 7not the lapdog of the government. Governments have to factorin media criticism and take it in their stride, there is no point in getting angsty and shooting from the hip. "In a democracy, it is appropriate that political people should stand up and safeguard media freedom rather than undermine it," said Congress spokesman Manish Tewary. K Kavita, however, defended her father saying the blocked TV channels had not criticised the Telangana government or its chief minister but "demeaned" the state legislature.
In a debate moderated by TIMES NOW's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami, panelists -- Shazia Ilmi, Political Activist; Nalin Kohli, Natl Spokesperson ,BJP & Advocate; Arati Jerath, Sr Journalist; Hartosh Singh Bal, Political Editor, Caravan Magazine; Vinod Kumar, MP, Lok Sabha, TRS -- discuss whether the CM of Telangana should apologise for his remarks against the media.
18 сен 2024
