Congress-owned newspaper National Herald today staged a comeback with a digital version eight years after it had downed its shutter.
The Associated Journals Limited, which is mired in legal hassles over its assets, announced the launch of www.nationalheraldindia.com and claimed that the printed version of its newspaper will also see a rebirth soon.
AJL was the controlling company of the National Herald newspaper. Currently, AJL is under the control of Young Indian which is owned by four Congress leaders–Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes.
“In keeping with the changing times, the newspaper group resumes phased publication as a multi-media outlet with a strong digital presence. The digital website will follow the same editorial vision and principles as that of our Founder, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
“It remains committed to furthering the values it has always cherished and the best values of the Freedom Movement that of building a modern, democratic, just, equitable, liberal and socially harmonious nation, free of sectarian strife,” a release from the company said.
The National Herald was started in 1938 by Nehru during the peak years of the Indian freedom movement. The National Herald has been known to be the Congress’ mouthpiece with the party funding the newspaper for several decades.
For years, the paper has been at the centre of controversy and has been shut due to financial reasons.
The four stakeholders of Young Indian are also undergoing court scrutiny on alleged irregularities in the takeover of AJL by Young Indian.
The case also allegedly involved irregularities in debt transfer and illegal undervalued asset acquisition element that has brought the four Congress leaders into court.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said the relaunch is a befitting tribute to Nehru on his anniversary.
“@NH_India carries forward it’s proud legacy – giving voice to the vision of a modern, democratic, just and harmonious nation.
“A fitting tribute to Pt Nehru on his 127th birth anniversary! Wishing team @NH_India the very best in this new innings!,” he said on Twitter, while putting out the new link of the news portal.
